Paul Vidich on the Pleasures of the Literary Spy Novel and the Ethical Ambiguities of the Late Cold War ‹ CrimeReads

The novels of Paul Vidich are far removed from the sheen and opulence of James Bond, and feel more at home with the wry wit and stuff air of John le Carré's George Smiley. In Vidich's world, few can be trusted and the double-crosses often become triples, creating a gray, murky world of uncertainty and intrigue that propels his lush prose. Vidich's latest, The Matchmaker (available February 1, from Pegasus), could very well be his best yet-and it features some unexpected influences. I had the chance to discuss the new novel, Vidich's views on the spy genre, and what role-if any-comic books play in his literary DNA.