Kate and Reed are both facing a kind of midlife crisis. Kate is questioning the viability of their relationship and seems to be seeking something more. One wonders if she will have an affair or leave Reed during the course of An Imperfect Spy, but neither happens.

Reed on the other hand, seems to have grown complacent at his job. He no longer (at least from Kate's perspective) takes any chances. It is important to both characters that they take time off from their respective positions and teach at a semester at the Schuyler Law School. At the end of the novel both seem revitalized. They reaffirm their love and their commitment to one another. Each has had the opportunity of having an affair but neither seems really inclined to commit to another person. There is something reassuring about this to the reader. Kate and Reed's relationship seems...