Set against the tumultuous backdrop of 1989 Romania, 'I Must Betray You' entwines the story of Cristian Florescu, a teenager who dreams of a writer's freedom in a land choked by the iron grip of Nicolae Ceaușescu's dictatorship. When the secret police ensnare Cristian with a harrowing ultimatum, he faces a dire crossroads: become an informant against his loved ones or defy the regime that crushes voices and spirits. Cristian's odyssey is not just a solitary one; it's a mirror to the despair and resilience of a nation yearning to break free. Author Ruta Sepetys crafts a narrative that cuts to the bone, exploring the harrowing reality of a spy network and the indomitable will of the human spirit in pursuit of liberation.