Pariah by Dan Fesperman

 

This was a really good current-day spy novel, laden with intent and point about the various trends and vectors in politics as the author saw them (novel is copyright 2025, so probably written 2023-2024); Fesperman clearly has a take, and I think it's a strong one (and not just because I tend toward agreement with it, I think). A slow-burn narrative that spirals in eventually almost claustrophobically, with threads of sharp characterization and gallows humor. The humor serves as relief, but lets the darker turns draw more blood. The main character is a believable schmuck, and there's at least parts--maybe even most--of a redemption arc for him, and it's hard-earned, and he legitimately won't ever be the same person. I've enjoyed one of Fesperman's other novels and struggled with another, this was a blast if perhaps a distinctly twisted one.