WINNER OF THE 2024 EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL WINNER OF THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL THRILLER WRITERS AWARD FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL WINNER OF THE 2024 BARRY BEST FIRST MYSTERY OR CRIME NOVEL AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE ANTHONY AND MACAVITY AWARDS FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL NOMINATED FOR THE STRAND MAGAZINE BEST DEBUT MYSTERY OF THE YEAR 'Gritty propulsive dark and twisty' David McCloskey author of Damascus Station 'A cracking debut thriller' The New Yorker 'Sensationalfeels like every inch of the real world of espionage' Alex Gerlis author of Every Spy a Traitor I.S. Berry is at the vanguard of a new generation of American spy novelists who have electrified the genre.TM Charles Cumming author of Judas 62 The thrilling debut from author and former CIA officer I.S. Berry following an American spyTMs last dangerous mission. Shane Collins a world-weary CIA spy is ready to come in from the cold. Stationed in Bahrain for his final tour heTMs anxious to dispense with his mission uncovering Iranian support for the insurgency. But then he meets Almaisa an enigmatic artist and his eyes are opened to a side of Bahrain most expats never experience to questions he never thought to ask. When his trusted informant becomes embroiled in a murder Collins finds himself drawn deep into the conflict his romance and loyalties upended. In an instant heTMs caught in the crosswinds of a revolution. He sets out to learn the truth behind the Arab Spring win AlmaisaTMs love and uncover the murky border where BahrainTMs secrets end and AmericaTMs begin. Now optioned for film by Scott Delman of Shadowfox productions (Producer of HBO Max hit series Staion Eleven).