The Peacock and the Sparrow: A Novel

A NEW YORKER BEST BOOK OF THE WEEK During the Arab Spring, an American spy's final mission goes dangerously awry in this explosive and "remarkable debut" (Joseph Kanon, New York Times bestselling author) from a former CIA officer that is perfect for fans of John le Carr�, Viet Thanh Nguyen, and Alan Furst. Shane Collins, a world-weary CIA spy, is ready to come in from the cold. Stationed in Bahrain off the coast of Saudi Arabia for his final tour, he's anxious to dispense with his mission--uncovering Iranian support for the insurgency against the monarchy. But then he meets Almaisa, a beautiful and 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 and his growing romance with Almaisa upended. In an instant, he's caught in the crosshairs of a revolution. Drawing on all his skills as a spymaster, he