Literary Book Reviews – June 2026

 

Exploring Suspense, Family, and Humanity: An Interview with Paul Egli About DAD

Great thrillers do more than keep readers turning pages—they ask thought-provoking questions about family, humanity, and the world we live in. In DAD, author Paul Egli accomplishes exactly that by blending suspense, science fiction, espionage, romance, and geopolitical intrigue into a story that is as emotionally compelling as it is action-packed.

At the heart of the novel is an extraordinary premise: a father who died twenty-five years earlier suddenly returns with mysterious abilities, forcing his son to confront unfinished emotions while becoming entangled in an international conspiracy involving Iran, Israel, and nuclear espionage. The result is a novel that balances pulse-pounding adventure with heartfelt reflections on grief, reconciliation, and the enduring bond between parent and child.

In this exclusive interview, Paul Egli discusses the inspiration behind DAD, his writing process, the real-world issues that shaped the story, and what he hopes readers will take away long after the final page.

Interview with Paul Egli

1. What was the original spark that inspired you to write DAD?

I was casting about looking for another plot for a suspense thriller, which is my genre. I had always had great affection for my father and wished I could have one last conversation with him. Plus, I have strong opinions regarding the Middle East and the conflict there. All three of these themes seemed to flow together naturally into the plot for DAD.

 

2. The novel blends suspense, science fiction, espionage, and political intrigue. What drew you to combining these genres?

I have always thought that readers like to be entertained and challenged when they read a novel. I usually combine several different elements—suspense, romance, humor, politics, and current world events. Readers like to multitask!

 

3. Clarence returns twenty-five years after his death and possesses extraordinary abilities. How did you develop his character and unique role in the story?

I've long admired Stephen King, who often combines realistic stories with believable science fiction elements. That's the effect I wanted to create—a slight stretch from reality that still feels natural within the story.

 

4. Did you always envision Clarence as an invulnerable father figure, or did that aspect emerge during the writing process?

His invulnerability was mainly a literary device that supported the mystery surrounding the scientific event in the novel. Beyond that, Clarence's personality closely resembles my own father. More importantly, I wanted to fulfill a universal longing many people have—the impossible wish to speak with a parent who has passed away.

 

5. Harry and Grace's relationship experiences several challenges throughout the novel. How important was their emotional journey compared to the espionage plot?

Their relationship mattered because real life is full of emotional highs and lows. While the suspense drives the novel, Harry and Grace's experiences help ground the story in realism.

 

6. The story touches on real-world geopolitical tensions involving Iran and Israel. How much research went into depicting these elements?

Quite a bit. The scientific aspects are largely accurate, and I researched Iran's nuclear ambitions extensively. My hope is that readers see the story as balanced. Ultimately, I believe lasting peace through negotiation is far better than war.

 

7. What made you choose a clandestine uranium enrichment facility near Toronto as the centerpiece of the first half of the novel?

I loved the contrast. Canadians are generally seen as reserved when it comes to international politics, so placing a global conflict near Toronto and the peaceful town of Port Perry created an exciting juxtaposition.

 

8. Were any of the Mossad characters inspired by real intelligence operatives or historical accounts?

The story of Eli Cohen is historically accurate, though his fictional relative Danny was created for the novel. Benny Kantor is also fictional, but I wrote him as I imagine a senior Mossad officer would be—intelligent, decisive, fair, and deeply committed to his agents.

 

9. Grace evolves from Harry's girlfriend into an active participant in dangerous missions. What was your approach to writing her character?

I wanted Grace to embody the modern woman—intelligent, courageous, outspoken, romantic, and an equal partner. This was as much her fight as Harry's.

 

10. At what point did you decide that Grace would be kidnapped and taken to Bermuda, shifting the story in a completely new direction?

Interestingly, I don't remember consciously making that decision. At a certain point, the story seemed to come alive and develop on its own. After the Iranian consulate scene, the Bermuda storyline simply became the natural evolution of the plot.

 

11. Bermuda becomes an unexpected setting for an international thriller. What inspired you to use the island as a backdrop?

I visited Bermuda in my twenties, and it always felt like paradise. That peaceful beauty creates a striking contrast when crime and violence enter the picture.

 

12. Fatemeh becomes one of the novel's most sympathetic characters. What inspired her friendship with Grace?

I wanted to show that people on opposing sides of a conflict often share far more similarities than differences. Friendship and compassion transcend political ideology.

 

13. The robotic military dogs guarding the compound add another science fiction element. How did that idea come about?

Technology like unmanned ground vehicles already exists. The novel simply explores where that technology might lead and asks whether society is ready for autonomous machines capable of harming people.

 

14. Which scene was the most challenging for you to write and why?

The coffee shop conversation between Harry and Clarence. How do you speak with someone whose funeral you attended twenty-five years earlier? I wanted the scene to feel emotional, natural, humorous, and believable.

 

15. Did you outline the entire novel before you began writing, or did some plot twists reveal themselves along the way?

I don't think I outlined this one very much. The Bermuda twist certainly wasn't planned. However, my next novel has a detailed outline already taped to my writing room wall.

 

16. How do you balance action sequences with quieter moments of character development?

That's always a challenge. Readers enjoy action, but nonstop excitement can become exhausting. The quieter conversations help the characters feel authentic and relatable.

 

17. Clarence's relationship with Harry forms the emotional core of the book. Did writing their father-son dynamic draw from any personal experiences?

Absolutely. Clarence is largely based on my own father, who passed away when I was sixteen. I believe many adults long for just one more conversation with a parent they've lost, and I wanted to bring that universal feeling to life.

 

18. What do you hope readers take away from DAD beyond the thrills and suspense?

I hope readers recognize the underlying message that war is an outdated way to resolve differences. Intelligent people negotiate and seek fair solutions instead of violence.

 

19. Were there any scenes or subplots that you ultimately decided to remove from the final manuscript?

Yes. Writers have to be ruthless. I removed several pages about Harry and Grace learning to use firearms because, although I liked the scenes, they slowed the story and added little to the plot.

 

20. How has your writing process changed between your first novel and DAD, your second book?

Mostly I've gained confidence. The basic process remains the same—generate ideas, write, revise, and proofread until you're satisfied.

 

21. After taking readers from Toronto to Bermuda and beyond in DAD, what kinds of stories are you most interested in exploring next?

My next project will likely center on the JFK assassination, focusing on journalist Dorothy Kilgallen and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death. It's a historical mystery that has fascinated me for years.

Conclusion

Paul Egli's DAD demonstrates that the most memorable thrillers are about far more than danger and intrigue. While readers will find international espionage, mysterious scientific phenomena, political conspiracies, and high-stakes action throughout its pages, the novel's true heartbeat lies in its exploration of family, loss, forgiveness, and the enduring desire to reconnect with those we love.

Throughout our conversation, Egli reveals a thoughtful approach to storytelling—one that values emotional authenticity just as much as suspense. His willingness to blend real-world geopolitical issues with speculative fiction creates a novel that entertains while encouraging readers to reflect on larger questions about conflict, humanity, and reconciliation.

For fans of intelligent thrillers that combine emotional depth with page-turning excitement, DAD offers a unique reading experience that lingers long after the final chapter, reminding us that even in stories filled with extraordinary events, the strongest force of all may be the enduring bond between parent and child.