Pariah

Now available

Hal Knight, a comedian-turned-politician, is in disgrace. After a humiliating encounter on a film set that went viral, he has resigned his seat in Congress, quit social media and fled to the tiny Caribbean island of Vieques to hide out and nurse his wounds. Shortly after arriving, he is approached by a trio of CIA operatives hoping to recruit him to infiltrate the power structure of Bolrovia—a hostile, Eastern European country whose despotic president, Nikolai Horvatz, happens to be a longtime fan of Knight’s adolescent humor. Skeptical, but with little to lose, Knight accepts the challenge, sensing this might be his one remaining chance to do something worthwhile, even if no one else ever finds out.

“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… deliciously fun.”
—Christopher Bollen, New York Times Book Review

“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.”
—Carole V. Bell, BookPage (Starred Review)

“An intriguing, entertaining and fast-paced plot, possibly mirroring events in the real world. Thoroughly satisfying….”
—Library 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.”
—Kathleen Kent, author of Black Wolf

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

“…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…. 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

Events

Tuesday, July 22, 7:00 p.m.
The Ivy Bookshop
In conversation with I.S. Berry
5928 Falls Rd
Baltimore, MD

Wednesday, July 23, 6:30 p.m.
Exploration Commons
In conversation with K.T. Nguyen
50 E. Main St
Westminster, MD

Wednesday, July 30 — 6 p.m.
Mysterious Bookshop
In conversation with Paul Vidich
58 Warren St
New York, NY

Tuesday, August 5 — 6:30 p.m.
The Poisoned Pen
4014 N Goldwater Blvd
Scottsdale, AZ

Thursday, September 4 — 6:30 p.m.
Park Road Books
4139 Park Rd
Charlotte, NC

November 8-9
Texas Book Festival
Austin, TX

About Dan

Dan Fesperman, a former foreign correspondent for the Baltimore Sun, is the author of thirteen critically acclaimed novels of intrigue and suspense, books that draw upon his many experiences abroad. His novels have won two Dagger Awards from the UK Crime Writers Association, the Dashiell Hammett Prize from the International Association of Crime Writers, the Barry Award for Best Thriller, and have been selected as the year’s best mystery/thriller by USA Today. He lives just north of Baltimore.

Awards

Three of Dan’s novels have been shortlisted for Dagger awards by the UK’s Crime Writer’s association, with Lie in the Dark winning the John Creasey Dagger for best first novel (1999), and The Small Boat of Great Sorrows winning the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for best thriller (2003). The Warlord’s Son was shortlisted for the 2004 Steel Dagger for best thriller. The Prisoner of Guantánamo won the 2006 Hammett Award from the North American branch of the International Association of Crime Writers, while USA Today selected it as the best mystery/thriller novel of 2006. The Letter Writer was selected as one of 2016’s Top Ten Crime Novels by The New York Times.

Read about Dan's Novels