by Ken Kalfus
First published 2025
Washington commentator Adam Zweig sits at his desk when a cryptic text arrives warning him about breaking news. Small-town reporter Valerie Iovine has publicly accused esteemed liberal editor Max Lieberthol of sexual harassment from twenty years ago. Though Adam had no direct involvement in the incident, his past connections to both parties suddenly put his own career in jeopardy. Adam remembers his time working with Valerie, when their professional relationship evolved into what he believed was mutual romantic interest. Now, as accusations mount against his former boss, Adam must confront uncomfortable truths about the sexism pervading his industry. The man who always considered himself progressive finds his assumptions crumbling. Incidents he once dismissed as harmless now appear threatening. A fumbling encounter he barely remembered may have destroyed a young woman's career prospects. Adam struggles to navigate this shifting moral terrain while protecting his reputation and livelihood.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, mystery, contemporary, thriller, social-issues
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Washington
Period: 20 years ago
208 pages · Hardcover · Milkweed Editions
Content warnings: sexism, sexual-assault