An adrenaline-fueled thriller about a disgraced comedian-turned-politician who takes on the role of a lifetime: infiltrating a corrupt Eastern European country to spy on their brutal dictator
Hal Knight, a comedian and movie star turned politician, is no stranger to controversy. But after a disastrous #MeToo encounter on set, Knight resigns from Congress, quits social media, and disappears to the tiny Caribbean island of Vieques to drink dirty martinis and nurse his wounds. Shortly after his arrival, 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 male humor. Knowing that Horvatz plans to invite the disgraced star for an official visit, the CIA coaxes Knight to accept. Skeptical, but with little to lose, Knight accepts the challenge, sensing this might be his one chance to do something worthwhile, even if no one else ever finds out.
Upon arrival as President Horvatz’s guest of honor, Knight confronts his ultimate acting challenge, especially once he enters the orbit of Branko Sarič—the president’s ruthless head of state security. His task is further complicated by the arrival of a shadowy group of Americans whose motivations are unclear. The only people in his corner are those three CIA agents, led by Lauren Witt, who has her own troubles in the agency and despises Knight. What begins as an assignment to keep his eyes and ears open quickly turns into a life-or-death battle of wits, with consequences reaching all the way to Washington. With Pariah, Dan Fesperman has crafted a heart-pounding thriller about espionage, entertainment, and one man’s pursuit of redemption.
- ISBN10 0593802233
- ISBN13 9780593802236
- Publish Date 22 July 2025
- Publish Status Forthcoming
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Alfred A. Knopf
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 368
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780593802236