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ROCKPORT — On Friday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m., the Rockport Library Foundation will host “An Evening with the Former Chief of Disguise at the CIA and bestselling author Jonna Mendez” at the Rockport Opera House.

Mendez, the co-author of The Moscow Rules And Argotells her compelling and courageous story of her role as a female spy at the height of the Cold War in her new book, In True Face: A Woman’s Life at the CIA, Exposed. Mendez’s presentation will not only recount the high-stakes drama of her work—how her clever performance turned her everywoman appeal into incredible subterfuge—but she will also delve into the grit and luck that brought her it took to navigate a misogynistic world.

“Audiences will learn the story of an incredible spy career and what it took to achieve it,” Rockport Public Library said in a news release.

Jonna Hiestand Mendez began her career at the CIA as a “contract woman,” performing secretarial duties for the CIA at the convenience of her husband, a young officer stationed in Europe. Yet Mendez also had a talent for espionage, and she soon took on bigger and more important roles at the Agency. She lived under cover and served tours of duty around the world, first becoming an international spy and eventually Chief of Disguise at the CIA’s Office of Technical Service. She retired from the agency in 1993 and continued her career as a photographer, consultant/educator and author.

The event at the Rockport Opera House is free, but seating is limited. Tickets must be reserved in advance at rockportlibrary.net, or visit https://rockportoperahouse.thundertix.com/events/228429).

Barnswallow will provide copies of Mendez’s books at the end of the presentation.