by Ken Follett
First published 1986
An American, a French doctor, and an English woman are swept into the intrigue of Russian efforts to assassinate an Afghan rebel leader. From terrorist bombings in Paris to the violence and treachery of the Afghan conflict, they race against time, making deadly decisions that will determine their fate. At the heart of this high-stakes thriller lies a triangle of passion, betrayal, and shifting loyalties as these three ordinary people are thrust into extraordinary circumstances beyond their control.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, adventure, action, espionage, political-thriller
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, love-triangle, shifting-loyalties
Setting: Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Kabul, Pakistan, USSR
Period: 20th Century: 1979-1989
332 pages · Hardcover · William Morrow & Co
Content warnings: violence