INHERITANCE OF CRISES AND DYSFUNCTION

In this debut political novel, a former attorney and government worker tackles a new position that focuses on repairing American diplomatic relations.

Following a career at the Treasury and State Departments as well as at a Washington, D.C., law firm, Staunton “Salt” Pepper retires. He moves back to his family farm in Virginia and settles into small-town life. But Stuart Bacon, the likely choice for secretary of state for the new 2021 administration, calls Salt back to Washington. He wants Salt to be a “troubleshooter and a diplomatic relations turnaround specialist.” Many apparently view America as “xenophobic, racist…and untrustworthy,” among other things. Salt will fly to various countries and consult with respective representatives in an effort to foster multilateralism—in contrast to the United States’ typical unilateral actions. His traveling companion is CIA agent Louise Roseaux, who’s essentially his bodyguard. There indeed may be danger involved since in places like London and Berlin, the two sometimes believe someone is tailing them. Meanwhile, Salt and diplomats discuss such issues as the “Iran nuclear deal.” He hopes to convince these countries that America is willing to mend relations even if, as he speculates, it takes years. Maiwurm’s novel features pithy, informed writing. The author smoothly addresses numerous topical subjects, from Covid-19 and the bleak economy to the Black Lives Matter movement. These are generally part of the characters’ political discourse, even among the locals in Salt’s hometown. Covid-19’s incorporation into the story is especially well done. Salt recently lost his wife, Meredith, a nurse, to the virus and witnesses its lingering effects (for example, empty middle seats on flights). Despite the appealing protagonist’s middle-of-the-road political beliefs, he maps out a clear plan for improving diplomatic relations. Though Salt’s continued mourning for Meredith is convincing, his deepening relationship with Louise has little impact on the characters or the narrative.

A smart, illuminating tale about important global concerns.