The Persian
A Novel
Will be published approx. on 25. August 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
416 pages
978-1-324-13445-9 (ISBN)
Description
Kamran Esfahani, a dentist living out a dreary existence in Stockholm, agrees to spy for the Mossad after he's recruited by Arik Glitzman, the chief of a clandestine unit tasked with running targeted assassinations and sabotage inside Iran. At Glitzman's direction, Kam returns to his native Tehran and opens a dental practice there, using it as a cover for the Israeli intelligence agency. Kam proves to be a skillful asset, quietly earning money helping Glitzman smuggle weapons, run surveillance, and conduct kidnappings. But when Kam tries to recruit an Iranian widow seeking to avenge the death of her husband at the hands of the Mossad, the operation goes terribly wrong, landing him in prison under the watchful eye of a sadistic officer whom he knows only as the "General."
And now, after enduring three years of torture in captivity, Kamran Esfahani sits in an interrogation room across from the General, preparing to write his final confession.
Kam knows it is too late to save himself. But he has managed to keep one secret-only one-and he just might be able to save that. In this haunting thriller, careening between Tehran and Tel Aviv, Istanbul and Stockholm, David McCloskey delivers an intricate story of vengeance, deceit, and the power of love and forgiveness in a world of lies.
And now, after enduring three years of torture in captivity, Kamran Esfahani sits in an interrogation room across from the General, preparing to write his final confession.
Kam knows it is too late to save himself. But he has managed to keep one secret-only one-and he just might be able to save that. In this haunting thriller, careening between Tehran and Tel Aviv, Istanbul and Stockholm, David McCloskey delivers an intricate story of vengeance, deceit, and the power of love and forgiveness in a world of lies.
Reviews / Votes
"Rarely is a thriller more fascinating-or more gripping-than The Persian." -- Ryan Steck - Real Book Spy "[David McCloskey] has a knack for creating storylines that wind up coming true in the real world." -- Mary Louise Kelly - NPR "This masterly novel is tragically topical and utterly gripping." -- Laura Wilson - Guardian "Masterfully constructed.... [The Persian takes] readers on a journey that starts as a slow burn before accelerating to top speed and exploding with adrenaline-fueled action and emotional fallout." -- Steve Netter - The Best Thriller Books "With its snarky tone and its conflicted protagonist's California dreams, McCloskey's novel is reminiscent of Viet Thanh Nguyen's The Sympathizer.... In probing the deep moral and practical complexities of this shadow war, McCloskey's novel could not be more timely or unsettling." -- Kirkus Reviews "[The Persian] builds to high drama and twists with characters you care about.... Deep and satisfying...keeps the McCloskey traits of great tradecraft and headlong dash to the end. It proves he is a great spy writer." -- Tim Shipman - Spybrary "[A] taut political thriller.... Intricately plotted and populated with multidimensional characters whose complicated motives drive them to desperation, the novel deftly balances geopolitical tensions and human stakes. Fans of John le Carre will have a tough time putting this down." -- Publishers WeeklyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 140 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-324-13445-9 (9781324134459)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
David McCloskey is the author of five books, including The Seventh Floor and The Persian. He is also cohost of the podcast The Rest Is Classified. A former CIA analyst, he worked at Langley and in field stations across the Middle East. He lives in Dallas, Texas.