How does this novel compare to other thrillers that draw upon actual global conflicts, such as Mick Herron’s The Secret Hours (2023)? How do the different authors utilize real-world geopolitical struggles and generic conventions to examine morality and human nature?

Suspense is an essential component of the thriller genre. Citing specific evidence from the text, analyze the structural techniques Baldacci uses to build tension.

Analyze the symbolic meaning of the characters’ names, including Dillon Hope and Victoria Steers. How does this symbolism illuminate their traits, actions, and relationships?