Who is Paul Christopher from The Tears of Autumn and what is their importance?

Paul Christopher is the principal character in the novel The Tears of Autumn, Paul is a veteran intelligence officer whose cover is a globe-trotting journalist. Before he becomes a spy, 15 years earlier, Paul is a poet, but spy craft kills his gift. Paul is an idealist, refusing to carry a gun and avoiding whenever possible killing people. Fellow agents make fun of this, but admire his talents and intuitions. Many say he is more trouble than he is worth, but he is much decorated and trusted by his old friend, David Pratchen, who is highly placed in the Agency, and his case officer, Tom Webster, in Rome.