The bulk of the action in THE COVER WIFE takes place in October 1999. This timeframe is important, and all will be revealed during the finale of this tense and perfectly paced novel.

CIA agent Claire Saylor meets with one of her superiors to learn about her next mission. It turns out that she is being sent to Hamburg, Germany, to pose as the wife of a controversial professor and politico who has seriously angered the Muslim world with his depiction and interpretation of their sacred Quran. Also in Hamburg is Mahmoud, a young Muslim who is spending time at a place called Al Quds prior to attending a wedding. Slowly readers will come to realize that the group at Al Quds has a dangerous agenda of their own.

"Fesperman’s writing style does not overload you with data and acronyms, but makes you feel like you are there with the characters and experiencing each plot twist along with them. This brilliant read is not to be missed."

As Claire settles into her role as the wife of outspoken academic Winston Armitage, she briefs him on her duties as part of his security force and needs to learn the landscape quickly to keep him safe. During this time, Winston is set to make several local appearances and lectures that will put him directly in the line of fire. She hears him speak with the press and denounce many of the Quran’s texts that are held sacred, including the prophecy of Muslims sacrificing themselves in the name of martyrdom and the hundreds of heavenly virgins who will be waiting for them on the other side.

Ken Donlan, another special agent from the FBI, decides to settle into the same area for surveillance on Middle Easterners and their possible connections to Al-Qaeda. Even though they are on the same team, some of his actions will put Claire’s mission in jeopardy. The danger escalates in a sudden, violent incident that will leave Claire overwhelmed with fear by how close she could have come to dying.

The book will culminate at the wedding of one of Mahmoud’s colleagues. Claire and Donlan both plan on surveilling the event, but they will not be the only international agency there. It is the last chapter, taking place on September 11, 2001, where the jaw-dropping connections of the players involved up to this point will come to light --- an absolutely stunning way to end this taut novel.

THE COVER WIFE made such an impression on me that I want to seek out Dan Fesperman’s backlist. This is the thinking-man’s espionage book and the type of story you will have a difficult time not finishing in one sitting. Fesperman’s writing style does not overload you with data and acronyms, but makes you feel like you are there with the characters and experiencing each plot twist along with them. This brilliant read is not to be missed.