Lea Carpenter’s latest spy novel, “Ilium,” introduces us to a young and restless unnamed narrator who is struggling to break free from the mundane aspects of her life. Little does she know that her lack of experience and ordinary nature are exactly what a group of spies is looking for in a recruit. She is quickly pulled into a high-stakes mission targeting a figure with a complex history involving American intelligence.
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In this week’s episode of Big Books and Bold Ideas, spy novel enthusiast Kerri Miller sits down with author Lea Carpenter to discuss Carpenter’s latest book and the inspiration behind it. They delve into Carpenter’s family history and how it influenced her fascination with intelligence agencies, the effectiveness of women as spies, and the ways in which family life both complicates and clarifies their work.
You can listen to the conversation on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Thread newsletter for more book and author recommendations.
