Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
In 1950s Chicago a former scientist on the Manhattan Project finds herself torn between two men: the physicist she loved passionately during the war, and the handsome, wounded FBI agent now investigating him for espionage, in this breathtaking novel of betrayal, love, desire, and secrets Chicago, 1950. Rosalind Porter has always defied expectations--in her work as a physicist on the Manhattan Project, and in her passionate love affair with co-worker Thomas Wheeler. Five years after the end of both, her guilt over the results of her work and her heartbreak over Wheeler are intertwined. She has almost succeeded in resigning herself to a more conventional life.
Then Wheeler gets back in touch--and so does the FBI. Agent Charlie Szydlo wants Roz to spy on Wheeler, whom the FBI suspects of passing nuclear secrets to Russia. Despite her better instincts, Roz has never stopped loving Wheeler, but now finds herself drawn to Charlie, even as she's not sure she can trust him. Charlie, whose time as a prisoner of war haunts him, is not sure he can trust himself, especially around Roz. As Roz's feelings for each man unexpectedly deepen, so too does the danger she finds herself in. When it becomes clear the Russians will stop at nothing, Roz will have to choose: The man who taught her how to love, or the man her love might save?
Synopsis
"A novel of science, love, espionage, beautiful writing, and a heroine who carves a strong path in the world of men. As far as I'm concerned there is nothing left to want."--Ann Patchett, author The Dutch House "A highly-charged love story that reveals the dangerous energy at the heart of every real connection...Riveting."--Delia Owens, author of Where the Crawdads Sing
Love. Desire. Betrayal. Her choice could save a nation.
Chicago, 1950. Rosalind Porter has always defied expectations--in her work as a physicist on the Manhattan Project and in her passionate love affair with colleague Thomas Weaver. Five years after the end of both, her guilt over the bomb and her heartbreak over Weaver are intertwined. She desperately misses her work in the lab, yet has almost resigned herself to a more conventional life.
Then Weaver gets back in touch--and so does the FBI. Special Agent Charlie Szydlo wants Roz to spy on Weaver, whom the FBI suspects of passing nuclear secrets to Russia. Roz helped to develop these secrets and knows better than anyone the devastating power such knowledge holds. But can she spy on a man she still loves, despite her better instincts? At the same time, something about Charlie draws her in. He's a former prisoner of war haunted by his past, just as her past haunts her.
As Rosalind's feelings for each man deepen, so too does the danger she finds herself in. She will have to choose: the man who taught her how to love . . . or the man her love might save?