September 14, 2026 - Portland News

Former Intelligence Officer Brett Andrew Strange Builds Realism Into New Book, Across Latitudes

Portland News Staff on September 14, 2026

By: Seth Adams

Espionage novels often ask readers to accept extraordinary people doing extraordinary things. Brett Andrew Strange approached his Across Latitudes trilogy from another direction. A former U.S. intelligence officer, he wanted the story to remain grounded in recognizable human behavior, even when the characters are caught inside clandestine operations, war, and geopolitical upheaval.

Strange is the author of Against the Dusk, Beneath the Purple Dawn, and Eastern Light, the three novels that make up Across Latitudes. He has also written Encounters: Six Short Stories. His research has taken him to more than two dozen countries, and he has lived and worked in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. He currently lives in San Francisco.

Across Latitudes follows Paul Drake, an Iraq War veteran with a violent history, and Katerina Volkova, a Russian-born art curator whose life is drawn into the same international struggle. The trilogy spans 2017 through 2024 and moves through New York City, Istanbul, California, Paris, Malta, Sicily, and the war in Ukraine.

For Strange, realism begins with character. He says the people in the trilogy are composites rather than direct portraits, shaped from individuals he encountered through intelligence work, travel, and research.

“They’re composites, not portraits, but very deliberately grounded ones, including U.S. intelligence officers and people actively involved in Ukraine’s fight for independence,” Strange said. “If anything, I’d say I wanted to create characters as a hybrid of real people so they seemed to have independent fictional will and were psychologically honest.”

That psychological honesty also applies to antagonists, supporting characters, and people with limited power. Strange uses a close third-person style that shifts perspective rather than locking the story inside the mind of a single hero.

“Readers keep coming back to the close third-person perspective of the narrative, the way it gets inside the heads of the villains, protagonists, and even children, so you understand the drama from multiple perspectives,” he said. “That’s paired with a fast-thriller pace.”

The supporting cast includes a teenage Syrian refugee and a nine-year-old Ukrainian orphan. Those characters broaden the story beyond professional intelligence officers and political actors, showing how large conflicts affect people with little ability to control events.

The trilogy’s violence is also written to resist routine action-thriller rhythms. Strange says readers have noticed that it arrives abruptly rather than as a predictable sequence.

“The violence itself isn’t predictable. It’s sudden and fierce, which readers say adds intensity,” he said.

His intelligence background provided another layer of authenticity. In discussing what most helped him as an author, Strange emphasized the human and procedural sides of the work rather than gadgets or spectacle.

“It gave me firsthand exposure to the real personalities and raw mechanics of intelligence work, the sacrifice, the deception, the psychological toll,” Strange said. “My background gave the operational detail its authenticity. The characters are based on real intelligence operations and procedures, not fantasy Hollywood images.”

That goal also explains Strange’s criticism of common espionage conventions. He wanted characters who could fail, doubt themselves, damage relationships, and misread situations.

“Most espionage fiction today either leans on stale Hollywood formula or slides into exaggerated fantasy, invincible heroes, cartoonish villains,” he said. “I wanted the opposite for the thoughtful and careful reader.”

The book description similarly frames the trilogy as a story about the tension between individual agency and global power. Its characters are forced to make choices while facing systems and conflicts that are far larger than any one person.

Strange’s research reinforces this grounded method. Because the series crosses borders repeatedly, location is treated as part of the story rather than a generic backdrop. Istanbul, Malta, Sicily, Paris, and Ukraine each carry different political and cultural pressures. The complete trilogy’s referential footnotes offer an additional layer for readers who want to distinguish documented context from the fictional narrative built around it.

By keeping those details tied to vulnerable characters, Strange uses authenticity as a storytelling tool rather than as technical display, making procedural credibility serve the emotional stakes of the narrative.

Strange does not present realism as a rejection of momentum. Across Latitudes is still designed as a thriller, with international movement, covert activity, personal revenge, romance, and escalating danger. The distinction is that its suspense grows from vulnerable people rather than superheroes.

For readers who want added context, the complete trilogy edition includes referential footnotes tied to facts behind the fiction. That feature reinforces Strange’s larger project: telling a fast-moving espionage story while keeping one foot in documented reality and the other in the uncertain psychology of people placed under pressure.

For more information, visit the Across Latitudes: The Complete Trilogy page on Amazon.

Portland I-5 Closure Begins for Five-Week Construction Project

Portland News Staff 2 on September 14, 2026

Southbound Interstate 5 through Portland has closed between Interstate 405 and the Rose Quarter for a five-week construction period. The Oregon Department of Transportation is carrying out highway repairs and seismic work, creating route changes and potential delays for commuters, commercial traffic and other travelers using the regional corridor.

Key Takeaways

Southbound I-5 between Interstate 405 and the Rose Quarter is closed for approximately five weeks.
The Oregon Department of Transportation is conducting highway repairs and seismic improvements.
Traffic delays are affecting I-5 southbound and nearby routes, including westbound I-84.
Portland commuters and regional travelers are being directed toward alternative transportation and routes.
MAX service provides a transit alternative along the affected corridor.

Southbound I-5 Closes Between I-405 and the Rose Quarter

The Portland I-5 closure affects southbound traffic between Interstate 405 and the Rose Quarter, removing a section of the interstate from normal vehicle use during the construction period. The closure began as scheduled for work overseen by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The closure is expected to remain in place for approximately five weeks. During that period, drivers traveling through central Portland must use other routes or transportation options to reach destinations normally accessed through the affected section of I-5.

The affected corridor is a key route through Portland for both local and regional travel. Its closure changes the routes available to people traveling through the city, including commuters and commercial vehicles.

Portland has faced other scheduled freeway restrictions this year, including overnight I-5 and I-205 closures tied to bridge, paving, sign and safety work.

Drivers approaching the closed section can encounter delays as traffic moves onto surrounding roads. Nearby Interstate 84 is among the routes experiencing increased traffic pressure, particularly on westbound sections.

The construction period also affects travelers who do not begin or end their trips in Portland. Vehicles moving between communities in the Portland metropolitan area and other parts of Oregon may need to adjust their routes while the closure remains active.

The Oregon Department of Transportation’s work requires the southbound interstate section to remain unavailable while crews complete the planned construction activities.

Oregon Transportation Officials Begin Five-Week Construction Work

The Oregon Department of Transportation is responsible for the construction work associated with the closure. The agency’s project schedule calls for approximately five weeks of restricted access on the southbound portion of I-5 through the Rose Quarter area.

The construction period provides crews with a defined window to complete work on the highway without normal southbound traffic moving through the affected section.

For people who regularly drive I-5, the length of the closure means route changes are not limited to a single day or weekend. Commuters and other regular travelers must account for the closure during the construction period.

The closure is also occurring in an area subject to longer-term transportation and redevelopment planning. Portland City Council recently authorized negotiations over city-owned properties around the Moda Center and Veterans Memorial Coliseum, placing transportation infrastructure and the Rose Quarter within a broader set of active city decisions.

The construction work itself remains separate from those redevelopment negotiations. The current I-5 closure concerns highway repairs and seismic improvements, while the city property discussions involve potential future development around the Rose Quarter.

The effects extend to transportation planning for trips through Portland. Drivers may need additional travel time or may choose public transportation instead of driving through the affected area.

Commercial traffic also uses the interstate corridor. Businesses whose employees, deliveries or other operations depend on travel through central Portland may need to account for changed road conditions during construction.

The closure does not eliminate access to Portland, but it changes the way southbound interstate traffic moves through the city. Other roads and transit services remain available for people traveling to destinations in and around the affected area.

The construction schedule also gives travelers a defined period in which the route disruption is expected to continue. The approximately five-week timeframe allows residents and businesses to plan recurring trips around the closure.

Highway Repairs and Seismic Improvements Drive the Closure

The work includes highway repairs and seismic improvements on the affected section of I-5. The repairs address the physical condition of the roadway, while the seismic work is part of the transportation infrastructure improvements being carried out by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The project covers roughly two miles of highway, including work on the concrete surface. Replacing sections of the roadway requires crews to operate within the interstate corridor, limiting normal vehicle access during construction.

Seismic improvements address the ability of transportation infrastructure to withstand earthquake-related forces. Oregon’s transportation network includes infrastructure projects intended to improve resilience in an earthquake-prone region.

The combination of roadway repairs and seismic work means the closure is tied to physical construction rather than a temporary traffic incident. The five-week schedule provides the period needed for crews to complete the planned work.

For drivers, the practical effect is a sustained closure rather than an intermittent restriction. Travelers therefore need to account for the affected section when planning repeated trips through Portland.

The work also affects the condition and operation of the interstate beyond the immediate construction site. Completing roadway repairs requires changes to normal traffic patterns while crews work on the highway surface and related infrastructure.

The construction activity is concentrated on the southbound I-5 corridor between Interstate 405 and the Rose Quarter. Northbound traffic is not described in the blueprint as being subject to the same closure.

Portland Traffic Faces Delays on Nearby Regional Routes

The Portland I-5 closure is shifting traffic onto other routes in and around the city. Traffic delays have been reported on southbound I-5 approaches and westbound I-84 as travelers adjust to the unavailable section.

The traffic effects are particularly relevant to people whose normal journeys depend on the I-5 corridor. A driver who would ordinarily remain on I-5 through the Rose Quarter must instead select another route before reaching the closed section.

Alternative routes can also affect travel beyond the immediate closure area because additional vehicles may use roads that normally carry less interstate traffic. The resulting changes can affect the timing of trips across central Portland.

Commuters are among the travelers most directly affected because they may encounter the closure repeatedly during the construction period. The approximately five-week schedule means regular commuters can plan around the disruption rather than treating it as a one-time closure.

Regional travelers face a similar consideration. Trips between Portland and surrounding Oregon communities can require route changes when the normal southbound I-5 path is unavailable.

The transportation impact is part of a larger set of mobility concerns already documented across the Portland metropolitan area. State transportation data cited in a recent Oregon transportation report found that 87% of the state’s roughly 500 congested lane miles are in the Portland metropolitan area.

The closure also creates transportation considerations for people who are not driving. Public transportation provides another option for travelers whose destinations are served by transit routes running through the Portland area.

Travelers using the interstate for business trips, deliveries or other scheduled journeys may need to allow for changed road conditions. The specific effect depends on the travel route and destination.

The closure is tied directly to the construction period. Once the planned work is completed and the affected highway section reopens, the temporary route restrictions are expected to end.

Transit and Alternate Routes Provide Options During Construction

Public transportation provides an alternative for some travelers affected by the closure. MAX service runs along a corridor that can help people make trips through the Portland area without relying on the closed section of southbound I-5.

TriMet’s MAX system provides rail service through Portland and connects locations in the metropolitan area. For travelers whose origins and destinations are close to MAX stations, rail service can reduce the need to drive through the affected highway corridor.

Recent TriMet service changes have also affected Portland-area commuters, including changes to the MAX Green Line and schedules on multiple bus routes.

Parking has also been made available at the Expo Center for people using MAX during the closure. The additional parking supports travelers who can drive to the Expo Center and continue their trip by rail.

The Expo Center is located near the MAX Yellow Line, providing a transit connection for people traveling toward central Portland. Using the available parking and MAX service can allow some travelers to avoid the closed portion of I-5.

Transit is not a substitute for every trip affected by the closure. Travel options depend on a person’s destination, schedule and access to public transportation. Drivers whose trips cannot be shifted to transit can instead use alternate roads.

MAX Service Offers an Alternative to Driving

MAX provides a rail option for travelers who would otherwise use the affected interstate corridor. The service can be particularly useful for commuters traveling between areas connected by the MAX network.

People considering transit during the construction period can plan trips around available MAX routes and stations. The Expo Center parking option adds another access point for travelers who can reach the facility by car.

Expo Center Parking Supports Transit Access

The availability of parking at the Expo Center gives drivers another way to combine automobile travel with MAX service during the closure. Travelers can leave their vehicles at the facility and continue by rail rather than driving through the affected portion of I-5.

The option is part of the transportation measures available during the construction period. Other travelers may choose different alternate routes depending on their destinations and normal travel patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the Portland I-5 closure last?

The southbound I-5 closure is scheduled to last approximately five weeks. The closure is connected to the Oregon Department of Transportation’s construction work in the Rose Quarter area.

Which section of I-5 is closed in Portland?

The affected section is southbound I-5 between Interstate 405 and the Rose Quarter. The closure requires southbound travelers to use alternative routes or transportation options.

What construction work is taking place on I-5?

The project includes highway repairs and seismic improvements. Work also includes repairs to the concrete surface on the affected section of the interstate.

Which routes are affected by the Portland I-5 closure?

Traffic delays have been reported on routes near the closure, including southbound I-5 approaches and westbound Interstate 84. The exact effect varies according to travel route and destination.

Can travelers use MAX during the I-5 closure?

Yes. MAX provides a public transportation alternative along the affected Portland corridor. Parking at the Expo Center is also available for people who want to combine driving with MAX service during the construction period.