First published 1980
Paul Breen realizes he can read minds. The discovery changes everything about his ordinary life. His telepathic abilities grow stronger, and he feels a duty to use them for his country. Breen approaches the U.S. government and offers his services as a psychic operative. Officials welcome his unique talents and put him to work. Soon Breen finds himself deep inside government operations, using his mental powers to gather intelligence and complete missions. But the more he works with his handlers, the more he questions their motives. The agency that recruited him begins to feel less like a patriotic cause and more like a trap. Breen discovers that his government contacts have their own agenda. They view him not as a partner but as a weapon to control. His telepathic gift becomes a burden as he realizes the people he trusted are manipulating him. Breen must decide whether to continue serving an organization that deceives him or break free and face the consequences alone.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, action, espionage
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, unreliable-narrator
Period: 20th-century
Paperback · Coronet