Deception

The main theme of “The Map of Betrayal” is deception. The main character, Gary Shang, is a Chinese national who becomes a spy who infiltrates the very heart of U.S. intelligence as a Chinese interpreter for the Central Intelligence Agency. Deception is a natural element of Gary’s “profession.” He keeps up the front of being pro-American and anti-Red China for decades. He is not only able to deceive his American superiors and colleagues, he has become adept at passing polygraph examinations.

Gary, of course, can tell no one that he is a spy for China. Therefore, he is careful not to get too involved with people who will naturally ask questions about his job and his life in Red China before leaving it. Those are subjects that he cannot be truthful about and the fewer people he has to deal with the better. But...