1. The Ice Axe
Among the opening scenes in SHADOW OF DOUBT is a chilling murder by a mysterious assailant wielding an ice axe. This iconic weapon, typically a mountaineering tool used to navigate snow, ice, and frozen terrain, was the same one used by the assassin sent by Joseph Stalin to kill Leon Trotsky on August 20, 1940. The assassination eliminated Stalin’s most formidable opponent and marked a turning point in the history of the Soviet Union. In 2017, the Trotsky Axe was donated to The International Spy Museum, where it remains on display.
2. The US Embassy in Oslo
Harvath visits the US embassy in Oslo in SHADOW OF DOUBT to set his mission into motion. He admires the embassy’s design, which reflects the deep cultural ties between the United States and Norway. The horizontal rooflines are reminiscent of Norwegian longhouses, and the strategically placed boulders mimic the landscape of the Norwegian Fjords. The most striking feature, however, may be the use of copper cornices, identical to those used for the Statue of Liberty. This deliberate detail underscores the enduring friendship between the two nations.
3. The Milorg
A secret Norwegian military organization, the Milorg, was formed in 1941 to sabotage German operations, gather intelligence and prepare for an uprising against the Nazi occupation. The Milorg was made up of a network of individual cells under central command that coordinated their work, including armed resistance, raids, and the escort of citizens to neutral territory. SHADOW OF DOUBT pays homage to the group, featuring a village where a clandestine radio station served as a lifeline. One of the largest resistance organizations in occupied Europe, the Milorg also helped to prepare for the liberation of Norway in 1945.
4. The Fake Facades of Paris
Agent Brunelle educates her colleague Gibert about the fake facades found all over the center of Paris, during their investigation in SHADOW OF DOUBT. In fact, numerous fake facades conceal airshafts for the Parisian Métro system. When the Métro was being constructed in the early 20th century, architects and engineers devised a plan to conceal the entrances and exits to the underground tunnels with painted facades in order to blend in with the existing architecture and neighborhoods.
5. The Russian Unit 29155
In SHADOW OF DOUBT, the defector Grechko reveals to Harvath the Russian Unit 29155’s involvement in his wife’s murder. The Unit, formed in 2018, is a shadowy organization involved in assassinations, sabotage, and other covert operations. A growing threat to international security, Unit 29155 has been linked to several high-profile incidents aimed at destabilizing Europe, including the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal (a former Russian intelligence officer who defected to the United Kingdom), various cyberattacks, and interference in foreign elections.