Fictional characters whose lives read like real-life news stories about war and political intrigue are brought into sharp focus in Inside Out, the new cutting-edge novel by Barry Eisler.

Given their relevancy to today’s political climate, stories of torture, “ghost detainees” and violations of civil liberties naturally capture our interest. Oftentimes, these stories also draw intense criticism, especially if the story includes topics as controversial as waterboarding. But Eisler doesn’t shy away from the details in Inside Out—and with good reason. Who better to write about the secrets of the CIA than a former CIA operative? Eisler is a one-time covert agent whose background at Langley lends him the credentials to write about black-ops government agents and espionage in an authentic, authoritative voice.

In his latest release, Eisler returns with a rousing mystery complete with the powerful, intricate plots and complex characters that have established him as a best-selling author. The fast-paced story of Inside Out unfolds early as black-ops soldier Ben Treven finds himself in a Manila jail after beating a man to death. Treven, who does not take well to incarceration, receives a fortuitous visit from his former commander. The commander offers a release from jail if Treven is willing to find and eliminate a rogue operator who has stolen tapes of CIA torture and is using them against Washington. When Treven accepts the deal, he plunges into a spine-tingling crusade against hit men and mercenaries amid increasing pressure from the White House. This high-stakes thriller is an unending adventure filled with duplicitous cover-ups and contemporary politics, written in a style that is both convincing and astute.

Now a full-time writer, Eisler is most famous for his John Rain novels, a series of books that have won the Barry Award and the Gumshoe Award for “Best Thriller of the Year” and have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Eisler is a Cornell Law School graduate who resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. He will be signing books and discussing Inside Out at Mystery One Bookstore on Wednesday, July 7, at 7 p.m.