The Art of Intrigue: How a Veteran Diplomat Turned Vatican Secrets into a Political Thriller

Otho Eskin’s career trajectory is as unconventional as his fiction. Having served in the U.S. Foreign Service and navigated the intricacies of international diplomacy, the author has now channeled decades of global experience into political thrillers. His latest novel, Day of Wrath, plunges readers into the cloistered world of the Vatican, where a high-stakes conspiracy unfolds during the secrecy of a papal conclave.

In this interview, Eskin discusses how his diplomatic background informs his storytelling, what drew him to the Vatican as a setting, and why large institutions—despite their power—remain fundamentally human in their flaws. He also shares a broader message about reinvention: it is never too late to pursue a new passion.

Meghan Forte: Your years as a Foreign Service Officer gave you firsthand exposure to diplomacy, politics, and international intrigue. How have those experiences shaped the plots and characters in Day of Wrath?

Author Otho Eskin: Every book I write bears the imprint of my Foreign Service career. My postings abroad and my time in Washington gave me an up-close view of how global politics actually works—how institutions compete for power, how social forces collide, and, on rare occasions, how adversaries find common ground and cooperate.

Meghan Forte: Day of Wrath revolves around a conspiracy within the Catholic Church in Rome. What inspired this setting, and how did you balance historical and religious detail with the demands of a gripping thriller?

Author Otho Eskin: I have long been fascinated by the tension within large institutions—governments, corporations, and, in this case, the Catholic Church. Its centuries of history make it a uniquely dramatic stage. The image of cardinals sealing themselves away to elect a new Pope struck me as both deeply human and enormously timely for a thriller.

Meghan Forte: Looking back on your journey—from public service to published novelist later in life—what advice would you offer to those who feel it is too late to chase a lifelong dream?

Author Otho Eskin: Never give up. As long as your health permits, keep exploring new challenges. After retiring, I tried many things—learning to fly, taking piano lessons, studying art. Each was rewarding, but I ultimately found my calling in writing. I started with playwriting before turning to thrillers. What draws me to writing is the connection with readers and the tangible result of finishing something meaningful.

Meghan Forte: What do you hope readers take away after turning the final page of Day of Wrath?

Author Otho Eskin: Above all, I want readers to be entertained by the story and its characters. I also hope they gain a sense of the world I know—drawing on real places and institutions from my own experience, from the corridors of Washington power to the inner workings of global corporations. Finally, I want readers to recognize that even the most powerful institutions are run by ordinary people, with all their vulnerabilities and flaws.

From the world of diplomacy to the pages of a thriller, Otho Eskin has built a career around examining where power, institutions, and human nature converge. In Day of Wrath, that lens produces a suspenseful tale of conspiracy that also reveals the very human frailties lurking behind the grandest of institutions.

Eskin’s personal journey is a testament to the power of reinvention. His willingness to embrace new challenges and pursue writing later in life serves as an inspiration—a reminder that it is never too late to discover a new passion. For readers drawn to suspense, political intrigue, and stories that probe the complexities of human nature, Day of Wrath offers plenty to reflect on long after the final page.

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