NPR's Book of the Day William Boyd’s 'The Predicament' is a spy thriller with a conspiratorial edge
Dec 17, 2025
Acclaimed British novelist William Boyd discusses his latest spy thriller, The Predicament, featuring Gabriel Dax, a travel writer turned reluctant spy during the Cold War. Boyd delves into Dax's tangled life involving KGB cash and a secretive MI6 mission in Guatemala. He shares his own conspiracy theories regarding JFK’s assassination and examines how real historical figures, like Kim Philby, influence the portrayal of espionage in fiction. With rich anecdotes from the 1960s, Boyd reveals the allure and complexity of the suave British spy.
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Travel Writer Turned Reluctant Spy
- William Boyd describes Gabriel Dax as a travel writer who becomes a reluctant Cold War spy and receives KGB cash to keep his cover.
- Boyd explains Gabriel spends the payments conspicuously on a cottage, motorbike, and paintings while increasingly drawn into espionage.
Dangerous Liaison With Handler
- Boyd explains Gabriel is smitten with his MI6 handler Faith Green and their relationship mixes emotion with manipulation.
- He says Faith exploits Gabriel's feelings while also enjoying the dalliance, deepening his erosion of trust.
Guatemala Mission Was A Setup
- Boyd recounts Gabriel's Guatemala mission was a setup to lure out hidden politician Padre Tiago and ends badly.
- Gabriel believes he's interviewing the Padre but is actually used to reveal the Padre's hiding place, with lethal consequences.