Leda

A woman's quest for meaning in her life leads Leda into dangerous territory. Leda, a retired American physician, sets out on a simple medical mission but, through events beyond her control, spirals into international intrigue where she is asked for her life. Should she let her future be a simple evolution into old age or should she end as a martyr to a cause?From the suburbs of Connecticut and the clubs of Manhattan to the horror of the refugee camps of Syria to the West Bank, Leda sees a different world. She is impacted by personal losses to the realization that she does not want to go "quietly into the night." How can an American woman on her own insinuate herself into the highest reaches of power? Does her sacrifice change history? Does her choice impact the manipulative powers to explain the current Middle East? Author Grace Austin unravels the twisted and complex politics of the Middle East-from British occupation, the birth of Israel, to the blood-soaked roads of Gaza-in this suspenseful and erudite thriller. Austin nimbly explores the origins of conflict between Palestine and Israel, through the wavering eyes of Leda and the intricate relationships she shares with a host of complicated characters.Leda is highly relevant, fast-paced, and richly developed. It's the story of one woman searching for life's meaning while navigating the dark webs of domination and resistance-it's a novel that speaks to some major questions of our day.