Spy, Interrupted: The Waiting Wife by T. Dasu
What's It About?
If you’re looking for a thriller, a romance and a politically charged novel, then T. Dasu’s debut, Spy, Interrupted: The Waiting Wife, is for you.If you’re looking for a thriller, a romance and a politically charged novel, then T. Dasu’s debut, Spy, Interrupted: The Waiting Wife, is for you. It tells the story of Nina Sharma, who falls in love with the mysterious and reserved Stephen Edward James while visiting a friend of a friend in New England. Soon, they’re newlyweds, blissfully in love, and settling into a life together. But then Nina learns Stephen’s secret: he’s a CIA agent and both their lives are in danger. Follow Nina as she struggles to accept her new life, and tries to answer the question: can love really conquer all?
The novel has been described as Jane Austen meets John le Carre, which means there’s literally something for everyone. Fans of international thrillers will be drawn to the action-packed adventure, romance lovers will flock to the realistic, but passionate, portrayal of Nina and Stephen’s relationship. BookTrib had a chance to talk with Dasu about the CIA, strong women, and the charities she hopes to help with Spy, Interrupted:
T. Dasu
T. Dasu: I’ve been a fan of literary espionage all my life. I got started with Graham Greene’s Our Man in Havana when I was a teenager and then went on to read Somerset Maugham’s Ashenden series, and then John le Carre’s early Smiley novels. I have also followed all the news stories about the CIA, particularly in South Asia. [I’m interested in] Raymond Davis, the CIA contractor in Pakistan, and David Headley, a Pakistani-American who was an FBI informant and helped orchestrate the terror attacks in Mumbai. Sid Ali’s character is based on him, [and] we will learn more about him in the next two parts of the Spy, Interrupted trilogy.
Spycraft, by Wallace and Melton, was an excellent reference, and Jack Kiriakou’s The Reluctant Spy made an interesting read. On a related note, The New Yorker has carried excellent articles on the hunt for Bin Laden, the drone program and the NSA’s use of metadata. All these are great sources of information.
BT: It’s rare to find a book that is so romantic and action-packed, but Spy, Interrupted is both those things and more. What made you chose to combine so many different elements in this novel?
TD: I wondered about the emotional lives and relationships of those involved in the espionage business. What does it take for them to earn their partner’s trust in their relationships? Is it possible for such a person to be normal? What’s it like to be married to someone whose job it is to lie and deceive on a daily basis? Is their spouse always second-guessing their actions and motives? It’s fascinating. Apparently, David Headley’s wife considered talking to the FBI on several occasions.
BT: The character of Nina is a complicated, interesting woman—strong, smart, practical, but still passionate. What was your inspiration when creating her?
TD: I am surrounded by fantastic women both in my personal and professional life. Scientists, activists, artists, women who are driven to take on hard challenges, who are both sensitive and tough as nails…she’s a mixture of all that I admire in my friends and family.
BT: If you suddenly found yourself married to a spy, how do you think you’d react?
TD: Very much like Nina did—be angry and distrustful at first, but realize the commitment of these men and women and the risks they take on a daily basis. They don’t even get any public recognition for what they do.
BT: According to your website, you’re donating the royalties from this novel to various charities. Can you tell us a little more about that?
TD: There are many worthwhile causes, but providing children in developing countries, particularly girls, access to education is one of the best ways to impact thinking and world-views of future generations. Personally, I would like to contribute to causes that stop trafficking of children, and rehabilitate them by providing a safe haven and professional training and education. I am still researching some of these. At the moment, I have decided on Kiva, the micro-financing non-profit.
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