How many threads are woven together where the sum of the parts exceed our expectations? On this episode, Larry welcomes three different authors.

First, Terry Hayes discusses his newest book The Year of the Locust. They discuss the influence of epic poetry and epic storytelling, the complexity of writing stories about intelligence organizations, and the effect of the film and television industry on modern writers and readers. The topic of the siege of Saigon and the importance of urgency when crafting a plot are also explored.

Next, Larry re-introduces returning guest James Grady to talk about his book The Smoke in Our Eyes. Larry and James analyze the in-media opening of the book and the importance of Easter Sunday and the theme of resurrection.  Larry posits the questions of why the setting of the book on a moving train is an exploration of the American landscape, and the importance of using your voice to call out cruelty and injustice as an author.

Finally, Larry welcomes I. S. Berry into the conversation to talk about her experience serving in the Central Intelligence Agency back in 2004. Berry provides valuable insight into the challenges of working in the intelligence field, tackling difficult topics like PTSD from the difficult choices she grappled with, the constant danger she faced while being in active service, and the institutionalized sexism that secret service organizations don’t speak about.