Pariah

“Deliciously fun. . . . Dan Fesperman, wielding a sharp eye for atmospheric detail and a finely tuned ear for comic relief, has proved to be one of the genre’s most exciting contemporary writers. . . . Hal and Pavel are irresistible creations, one man risking his celebrity and chances for redemption, the other his freedom and livelihood.” —Christopher Bollen, New York Times Book Review

“Pariah is a most unusual and entertaining espionage caper, one in which the protagonist’s serious flaws at last yield to the redeeming qualities of his better angels.” —Tom Nolan, Wall Street Journal

“Dan Fesperman’s Pariah is a masterful blend of espionage, political intrigue, and dark humor with a plot that is as entertaining as it is breathtakingly timely. Fesperman crafts a gripping narrative of a man—comedian, actor and politician—caught up in international intrigue that explores the allure of power, the sting of betrayal, and the cost of second chances too good to be true.” —Kathleen Kent, author of Black Wolf

“Pariah is a penetrating political satire . . . Thrilling and hilarious.” —Paul Vidich, author of Beirut Station

“Fesperman wins again with this well-crafted tale of modern espionage—of Russian soft influence, changing social norms, conflict both internecine and international. At times laugh-out-loud funny, at times sobering and cautionary—and filled with flawed, human characters—Pariah illuminates the thorniest geopolitical issues of our times bravely, wittily, and entertainingly.” —I.S. Berry, author of The Peacock and the Sparrow

“Twisty, topical, and often darkly comedic, Pariah is Fesperman at his best, spinning a tale not just of suspense, double-dealing, and international intrigue, but a deeper story about love and redemption. This is essential spy reading for understanding the turbulence of our modern times.” —David McCloskey, former CIA analyst and internationally bestselling author of The Seventh Floor

“A zippy mashup of spy thriller and farce. . . . Fueled by adrenaline and the absurdities of contemporary politics and culture, this zeitgeisty thriller should be at the top of your list if you’re seeking a book that’s as intelligent as it is diverting. . . . With crisp, fearless humor that drips with topical, ripped-from-the-tabloids headlines and social media irony, Pariah nails the political calculus.” —Carole V. Bell, BookPage (starred review)

“It should come as no surprise to Fesperman’s fans that this is a first-rate spy thriller; what might come as a surprise is the relative lightness of the proceedings. Pariah is something new for the author, and it’s a rousing success.” —Booklist

“An intriguing, entertaining and fast-paced plot, possibly mirroring events in the real world. Thoroughly satisfying. . . . Hal is human in every way, with improv training that often works in his favor and rashness that might carry him to the brink of disaster.” —Library Journal