The Accidental Spy

In this brilliant debut thriller, set in the US embassy in Turkey, one young woman finds herself at the centre of a deadly plot and marked for death ... An intelligent, fast-paced spy novel for fans of Olen Steinhauser and Joseph Kanon. SHE IS THE WOMAN WHO KNOWS TOO MUCH ... Penny Kessler, a young intern at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, wakes up in a hospital on the morning of July 5th to find herself at the centre of an international crisis. The day before, the Embassy had been the target of a devastating terrorist attack that killed hundreds of Penny's friends and colleagues. Not only has a photograph of Penny emerging from the rubble become the defining image of the event (#TheGirlwiththeFlag), but for reasons she doesn't understand, her bosses believe she's a crucial witness. Suddenly, everyone is desperately interested in what Penny knows. But what does she know? And who can she trust?Praise for Liar's Candle 'Stunning...a novel that brings the le Carre and Follett traditions into the 21st century. Breakneck pacing, sharply observed detail, an all-too-plausible plot, and a protagonist to cheer for' Joseph Finder 'A high-energy thriller...The tension and relentless action ratchet higher from the very first chapter to the climatic ending as one terrifying escape follows the next and everywhere friends and foes change places. Thomas has eerily evoked not only the intrigue and brutality of terrorism in Turkey, but the country itself' Paul Vidich 'Tightly-plotted, well-written, and astute, Liar's Candle is a remarkable debut' Lisa Unger 'August Thomas is a fresh, exciting new voice in international thrillers' Chris Pavone'A propulsive, heart-in-your-throat thriller that's loaded with unexpected twists and turns.... LIAR'S CANDLE is a shockingly good debut novel' Daniel Kalla