Estonia is the setting for a new book by Aberystwyth author, Geraint Roberts.

Finnish Boys is the prequel to Forest Brothers released in 2012.

The latest book, the prolific author’s fifth novel is set in the Second World War.

“Forest Brothers was a stand-alone story in its own right,” said Geraint. “However, once I completed it, further ideas developed, which became the basis for what happened before Forest Brothers and what happened afterwards. The new novel looks at the journey of the Estonians; Märt, Maarja and Juhan.

“In 1941, on the eve of the mass deportations of Estonians by the Soviets, Märt receives a tip-off that he is on the list. He is offered an escape – if he will help a British spy get out of the country. Märt agrees, but first wishes to alert his estranged wife, and son, of the danger. In the turmoil of conflict, they part, only to meet as the journey continues. Märt is left with the dilemma of whose motives to trust; an enemy agent who may bring even more turmoil – or Maarja, who wants to do what she believes is best for Estonia?”

The Finnish Boys were a unit of Estonian soldiers in the Finnish Army. “They were an interesting unit,” Geraint, 59, added.

“Although fighting on the Axis side, they flatly refused to swear allegiance to Hitler. Only to Finland and Estonia. They were independent. They saw Finland as the best of two bad solutions; a puppet state or an assimilated one . The country was over-run and men were being forced into the armies of both the Soviet and Germany. War crimes were rampant. A unit of 200 Finnish Boys successfully held off a Soviet force to allow 2,500 refugees to escape and avoid a genocide, with no assistance. This was the measure of the men.”

Is this not an odd situation - a prequel, a novel featuring an army at war with the UK and set in Estonia?

Geraint agrees.

“I have been married long enough to an Estonian to develop an interest in the country. Estonia is in many ways like Wales, a turbulent history and a proud independent thinking nation, who rejoice in their arts. The story doesn’t glorify war or either side. War is horrific and most times avoidable. The story places people in the context of the past, which was not an easy time. The prequel? Well, a few people were keen to know more about the pre-story for Forest Brothers - and this is it!”

Geraint is now retired but he is studying for an MSc and co-presents a football show on Radio Aber.