Set in Madrid, Tetuán, and Lisbon before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War through the Second World War, The Time in Between, follows the life of Sira Quiroga. Born a poor seamstress in Madrid, Sira—after being abandoned in Tangiers by her lover—forges a new identity and becomes the most sought-after couturiere in North Africa, catering to the idle rich and the wealthy wives of high ranking officials. Sira dreams only of paying off her debts and rescuing her mother from war-torn Madrid, but soon finds herself embroiled in a world of spies and counterspies. Author Maria Dueñas will read and discuss chapters from her new book, The Time in Between, on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 6pm at Instituto Cervantes, 31 W. Ohio St. Admission is free and open to the public.