From exile, Serguéi Lébedev offers a depiction of the world of espionage, characterized by deception and manipulation, in his new novel. The work delves into the intricacies of spying, exploring its inherent falsehoods and constructed realities. Lébedev’s fiction is presented as a continuation of the rich tradition of the great Russian novel. The novel merits careful reading, hinting at a complex and insightful narrative. It provides a glimpse into a shadowy realm, likely informed by personal experience or extensive research. Readers can anticipate a compelling exploration of power, betrayal, and the human cost of political conflict within the context of the Putin era in Russia.