Buchanan applies dirty pressure tactics to raise funds that finance honorable causes, such as poverty reduction or environmental protection. The story takes place in Washington. Robert Thornhill, a high-ranking CIA official, uncovers this corruption and begins to blackmail him because he wants to restore the prestige the CIA has lost. Faith Lockart, Buchanan’s right-hand woman, is the third person involved. She believes things have gone too far and decides to confess everything to the FBI. From that moment on, her life has a price.
It is a magnificent spy and suspense novel that reveals the darkest inner workings of the world of international politics. It grabs the reader from the beginning, as it is a fast-paced, highly entertaining, and easy-to-read story. Suspense, loyalty, betrayal, and ambition are all interwoven. It shows what can be done through lobbying and what it means to be a mole or spy. Perhaps it is a bit exaggerated in claiming that the American dream is all about power and money, since there are honest people. Unfortunately, like in other novels, it contains three scenes of explicit sex and several sensual ones that are unpleasant.