"Sip the wine, taste the food, find everyone fascinating - a good motto for diplomacy."
"I guess that's one way to save the world."
Alan Furst's novel is a glimpse on the dreary and sophisticated diplomatic life. Espionage isn't always thrilling. Spies in World War II dealt with obtaining intelligence rather than battling goons or thugs Salt-esque (Angelina Jolie), but equally dangerous. But diplomats live a double life. While they're not prying on their enemies' secrets, they show up at parties just to conspire against each other. Scandalous in their uniforms, waistcoats, and beautiful women in their arms.
