by David Corn
First published 1994
The protagonist works deep within the Central Intelligence Agency, where classified missions blur the lines between patriotism and betrayal. He moves through a world of secret operations that span continents, each assignment testing his loyalty to both country and conscience. The agency's most sensitive covert activities unfold around him as he witnesses the true cost of intelligence work. Fellow operatives come and go, some lost to foreign enemies, others to the bureaucratic machinery of their own organization. He must navigate not only external threats but also the internal politics that can destroy careers and lives with equal efficiency. The story reveals how one man maintains his humanity while serving an institution that demands absolute secrecy. His journey exposes the personal toll of living multiple identities and the weight of decisions that affect global events. At its heart, this is the story of a spy who must choose between the mission and his soul.
Genres: historical-fiction, mystery, thriller, action, espionage
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, moral-ambiguity, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Central Intelligence Agency
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
512 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster, Inc.