With a career that spans the U.S. Foreign Service, international diplomacy, and now a successful second act as a novelist, Otho Eskin brings a unique perspective to the world of political thrillers. His firsthand experience navigating the complexities of governments, institutions, and international affairs has provided rich inspiration for his fiction. In Day of Wrath, Eskin turns his attention to the Vatican, where a secretive struggle within the Catholic Church unfolds against the dramatic backdrop of a papal conclave.
In this conversation, Eskin reflects on how his years in the Foreign Service have shaped his characters and plots, what drew him to the intrigue of the Vatican, and why large institutions—and the very human beings who operate within them—remain such fertile ground for storytelling. He also shares a message that extends beyond writing: it’s never too late to pursue a new passion or reinvent yourself.
Meghan Forte: You spent years as a Foreign Service Officer, giving you first hand exposure to diplomacy, politics, and international intrigue. How have those experiences shaped the plots and characters in Day of Wrath?
Author Otho Eskin: All of my books are influenced to some degree by my experiences in the United States Foreign Service. My time stationed at posts abroad as well as my service in Washington DC gave me a front row seat to the intricate mechanics of global politics. I was able to observe how social forces and institutions compete for power. Yet, I also witnessed rare and compelling moments where rivals were able to come and, sometimes, work together and cooperate for a common purpose.
Meghan Forte: Day of Wrath centers on a conspiracy within the Catholic Church in Rome. What sparked your interest in this setting, and how did you balance historical and religious elements with the demands of a fast-paced thriller?
Author Otho Eskin: I have always been fascinated by how conflicting forces play out in large institutions such as powerful governments, global corporations and, in the case of Day of Wrath, the Catholic Church. The Church, with its centuries of history, offers a uniquely dramatic stage for this kind of struggle. Specifically, the secret conclave of cardinals where they lock themselves away from the world to select a new Pope deeply intrigued me and I thought it was a timely subject for a thriller.
Meghan Forte: Looking back on your extraordinary career—from public service to becoming a published novelist later in life—what advice would you give to people who believe it’s too late to pursue a lifelong dream?
Author Otho Eskin: Never give up. As long as your health allows, keep trying new things. When I retired, I undertook many new activities, all of them with their own set of challenges. I learned how to fly a plane, took piano lessons and studied art. All were fun and engaging but, I finally settled on writing. I first tried my hand at playwriting before writing thriller novels. I think I’ve been drawn to writing because it gives me the opportunity to engage with other readers. I also like that writing has an end product. You get something to show for your efforts.
Meghan Forte: What do you hope readers are still thinking about after they turn the final page of Day of Wrath?
Author Otho Eskin: First of all, I hope people who come across my books will be entertained by the stories and by the characters I have created. Secondly, I hope they will get a feeling for the world I know. Although my stories and characters are fictional, I incorporate real places that I know from my experience so the reader can get a sense of life in the city of Washington and feel the inner workings of our most powerful government and corporate institutions. Finally, I hope my readers will understand that large institutions are run by ordinary people with all their frailty and weaknesses.
From the corridors of the Foreign Service to the pages of his thrillers, Otho Eskin has built a career around observing how power, institutions, and human nature intersect. In Day of Wrath, that perspective comes to life in a gripping story of intrigue and conspiracy, while also offering readers a glimpse into the very human weaknesses that can shape even the world’s most powerful institutions.
Eskin’s own journey is equally inspiring. His willingness to embrace new challenges and pursue writing later in life is a reminder that it is never too late to discover a new passion. For readers who enjoy suspense, political intrigue, and stories that explore the complexities of human nature, Day of Wrath offers plenty to think about long after the final page.
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