Random Things Tours: The Interpreter´s Secret by Andrew Rosenheim

Cold War may theoretically be over since the 1990s, but its reminiscences and especially behavior patterns are still easily recognizable in the current state of international affairs. As a passionate consumer of international politics, I am always curious about world affairs, although sometimes this curiosity is plainly morbid. 

The Interpreter´s Secret by Andrew Rosenheim, published by No Exit Press is inspired by real events: the meeting between presidents Trump and Putin, with only one interpreter present, who was minutiously searched for possible recordings or notes upon leaving the room. 

The interpreter in Rosenheim´s book is attending an off-the-record meeting with a Russian general, witnessing and translating a terrific arrangement between Kremlin and the White House. But compared to the real interpreter, he saved a trace of the meeting, an accidental recording, the only historical testimony that the event ever took place. 

This recording will clearly define his fate and his life from now on, as the book is evolving into a complex intrigue where corruption of all kind meets high national interests. 

Both the story and the characters are well-crafted and suspenseful. I particularly loved the idea of a professional yet politically uninvolved character being caught in a world bigger than life, and the absurdity of an accident - the digital pen recording the conversation - challenging the simple life for good. 

The Interpreter´s Secret is a meeting of spycraft and literary talent, creating a suspenseful story of corruption, life´s random destiny and also translator´s fate. A recommended read if looking for an intelligent international spy story.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own