The Prodigal Spy

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It is 1950 and communists are being hunted across America. When Walter Kotlar is accused of being a spy by the House Un-American Activities Committee, his young son Nick destroys a piece of evidence only he knows about. But before the hearing can conclude, Walter flees the country, leaving behind his family... and a key witness lying dead, apparently having committed suicide.

Nineteen years later, Nick gets a second chance to discover the truth when a beautiful journalist brings a message from his long-lost father, and Nick follows her into Soviet-occupied Prague for a painful reunion and the discovery of a secret that changes everything. To unravel the lies Nick must return to where it all began and expose the one person who knew the truth - and who watched his family's destruction.

Trust no one in this compelling, surprising thriller from the author of Leaving Berlin and The Good German.

Praise for The Prodigal Spy

  • The Prodigal Spy is a mystery and a novel of ideas - Allan MassieIt is Kanon's political maturity and understanding that make this novel something quite unusual - ScotsmanA wonderfully fluent writer with a gift for honed dialogue - ObserverThat rare thing - a thriller to stimulate heart and mind - Daily Mail on The Good German

Joseph Kanon

Joseph Kanon is the author of Los Alamos (winner of the Edgar Award), The Prodigal Spy and The Good German. Before becoming a full-time writer, he was a publishing executive. He lives in New York City.

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