“‘I know Tab. He is Arab, or partly.’ ‘Algerian French.’ ‘Lucky you. He’s hot. All that’s best of dark and bright.’ ‘Is that a poem?’ ‘Byron.’”

Tamara’s friend Shirley, the US ambassador’s wife in Chad, is gossiping with her about her new love interest. Romantic interests of main characters are highlighted throughout the novel, as are female friendships among the American characters especially. Lord Byron, in addition to writing this Romantic era poem, was himself a Romantic hero. Ironically, this literary allusion comes from a poem “She Walks in Beauty” (1814), which describes a beautiful woman, not man. The author, in part at least, is subverting the formula to show that women will be in the active role in this work.

“Dexter’s full of shit. They’re jihadis. You need protection.”

Colonel Susan Marcus speaks this simple quote. She is another of the strong female characters in the novel. She is a friend of Tamara’s, although of a more professional than personal nature. The narrative reveals her personality through the straightforward and almost staccato speaking style, especially when contrasted with Shirley’s poetic allusion. She accurately appraises Tamara’s boss, identifies the men holding the bridge, and assesses backup needed to ensure Tamara’s safety.