An intriguing novel set in America, the action is split between the periods of the War of Independence in the late 1770s and the late 1980s. The events of the former times have an echo in the contemporary one, revealed by Silas Sibley’s researches into a distant relative and his own work for the CIA and his suspicions of a plot to cause an explosive ‘accident’ in Tehran in a bid to discredit Iran’s leadership. In a tense chase, Silas attempts to evade capture by those seeking to detonate the ‘accident’ and to stop it through contacts within the CIA, while not revealing their plot to the newspapers as he considers himself a patriot and does not want to embarrass the country. Littell’s writing keeps you in suspense throughout and leaves Silas’ outcome in balance until the final pages.

This was not good, there was this really strange counter plot going on about spying during the war for independence, and it totally jarred with the main plot. I didn't really understand the ending, I'm not sure who was real or imagined, or who was crazy or not. The only thing I do know is that the Admiral was gay, which is not something I look for in my reading. ( )

Huge twist at the end ( )

An intriguing blend of espionage fiction and history, both real and imagined, past and present. A CIA officer dredging electronic information stumbles on an extra-curricular plot by a surprising combination of government officials. ( )