Story crosses decades of tumultuous events in one of the most ethnically mixed and eventually most hard hit and almost utterly destroyed state in Middle East - Lebanon.

It is story of people from Lebanon, refugees from the Palestine, various parties from the neighboring countries (Syria, Israel, Italy) and US intelligence officers caught in the crossfire of unstable region in 60's and 70's up to the bloody days of 1980's. It is truly soul crashing to see how entire region starts the slow spiral to destruction and multiethnical hatred that will bring so much evil to this area that even now it is still in healing process.

Even more crushing is fate of people, principled people, working in the unprincipled world led by politicians that are by definition survivors and chameleons, ready to sacrifice anyone for the current political influence. So how can principled people work under these circumstances in a dangerous world of intelligence gathering? They can try and more often than not they will turn cynical. If this does not happen they will end up dead because world does not tolerate principled people unless they are saints (and therefore long long gone).

Excellent spy novel, written by someone that knows very well the Middle East and its problems.

Highly recommended to thriller and spy story aficionados. ( )

Interesting story that really held my attention. The historical events of the story are true and the fictional characters are based on real people, the names are changed of course. Very sad in that so many opportunities to make things right in the Middle East were handled poorly or ignored. After reading this, I recommend "The Good Spy" by Kai Bird to anyone wanting to learn more and to read about the actual people. ( )

Well developed characters, moral ambiguity, recruitment of spies and a depressing ending. ( )

WashPost columnist