D: Heavy Water

by Neal Stephenson Book 2 in the Bomb Light series.

First published 2026

Amazon

2.5(5)

In 1934, British journalist Owen Crisp-Upjohn is sent to Moscow, where cultural reporting quickly becomes intelligence work. He enters the orbit of the unconventional Earl of Suffolk and Aurora, whose experience within Soviet intelligence makes her both valuable and difficult to trust as European governments begin competing for strategic scientific knowledge.

Their objective is heavy water, the deuterium-rich substance becoming critical to nuclear research. The pursuit moves through London, the Spanish Civil War, Soviet aviation networks and occupied Norway as Owen changes from observer to participant. The book was initially listed simply as D before the full title D: Heavy Water was announced.