Somewhere in South America, at home of the country's vice president, a lavish birthday party is being held in honor of a powerful Japanese businessman. It is a night out of a fairytale until a band of gun-wielding terrorists breaks in through the air-conditioning vents and takes the entire party hostage. But what begins as a panicked, life-threatening scenario turns into something quite different as terrorists and hostages forge unexpected bonds. People from different countries and continents become compatriots—and passionate, ill-fated love blooms upon this unlikely soil.

Author biography

Ann Patchett is the author of six novels, including State of Wonder, Run, and Bel Canto. She is also the author of two works of nonfiction: Truth & Beauty and What now? Patchett has written for many publications and won numerous awards. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.