Gwinnett County Public Library discussion

So the romance novels you started reading for Valentine's Day didn't live up to the hype? You need something with a little more intrigue, a bit of excitement, maybe some international espionage? We've got just the thing. These stories do have love, but they serve it up with a twist.

The Company We Keep by Robert and Dayna Baer tells the true-life story of two spies in love. Of course, when they meet they're both married and can't tell each other their real names. (You can't be too careful when you're spying on potential terrorists in the Middle East.) But they don't let that stop them from finding happiness.

This book spends much more time on international politics and the ins and outs of spying than it does on two CIA agents sending love letters. In fact, there's not a single love letter in the book. (Probably best not to leave a trail of evidence.) Due to the strain a career as a CIA operative can put on a family back home, however, they two previously married spies end up single. As they navigate hostile territory together they find that knowing someone's real name isn't always necessary when it comes to love.

If you'd like to know more about Robert Baer's career as a spy, click here to see all of his books in the Gwinnett County Library Collection.