My debut novel draws loosely on the career of an adventurer, Sir Anthony Standen, who inserted himself into the religious wars of the day and tried to moderate English and Spanish policy. An English Catholic courtier, he left England in the 1560s and spied for Catholic Spain against European Protestants. But his nationalism was aroused when the threat to England intensified. He became one of Protestant Elizabeth I’s most effective spies abroad, while on Spain’s payroll. My fascination in fictionalizing him as Edward Latham was to bring to life the struggle that a sincere Catholic, and patriot, had in finding his place in the world. Laboring to balance faith and patriotism, he’s smooth enough to charm Ottoman officials but earthy enough to get information from deck hands; generous in love, but ruthless in using anyone to get secrets.