Tapestry of Spies

by Stephen Hunter

Stephen Hunter has chosen the backdrop of the chaotic and cruel Spanish Civil War to weave a classic tale of espionage and counterespionage. Julian Raines was one of the first Englishmen to volunteer for the international brigade in Spain. The British Secret Service suspect that the flamboyant Raines was recruited for the KGB by the Bolsheviks during his student days at Oxford and send Robert Florry, a struggling young writer to Spain after Raines with orders to eliminate him. Florry was an old school chum to Raines and had every reason to hate him. The British are not alone on Raines' trail. The ruthless Communist leader in Barcelona believes that the identity of the double agent conceals a powerful and profitable secret. It is a novel that constantly surprises.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Espionage, Mystery, Action, Historical Fiction, Ebooks

464 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Stephen Hunter is the author of fourteen novels, and a chief film critic at The Washington Post, where he won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as well as his other novels. It's a stand alone &, while I think it was as well written, it just didn't ring as true to me. Either I didn't identify with the story as well or he didn't know the subject as well. I'm not sure which.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was much better than I expected. I was prepared to abandon it if it wasn't very good. I will have to read more early Stephen Hunter.

The story takes place mostly in Barcelona during the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War. The Nationalists led by General Franco and backed by Germany and Italy were trying to re-take the country from the Republicans which were comprised of a number of left wing groups from anarchists to Stalinists. The main characters are Robert Florry and Julian Raines, two Eton school chums who have fallen out but have both joined the International Brigade. Raines is thought by MI-6 to be a Russian spy and Florry is sent to Spain to kill him. Two other key people are Sylvia, a beautiful young British adventurer and Levitsky, a Trotskyite spymaster and chess champion. The main villain is an American ex-hitman who has become an enforcer for the Stalinists under an assumed name.

There are many twists and turns, sometimes confusing but almost always interesting. Things get sorted out in the end, of course, with even more surprises.

The further I got into the story the more I enjoyed it to the point I found it difficult to put the book down. I recommend it as not only a good spy story but also as a well done piece of historical fiction.

[Nate Hendrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Hunter's older books. This is a spy adventure set against the civil war in Spain prior to WW2. That's all you need to know. There will be unexpected twists and turns. But that is what you expect in a spy novel.

[itchy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was set in a time period that I have very little (read: no) knowledge of. It also alluded to a specific chess move in the beginning but its relation to the story also escaped me. Not a good start to my escapade with Stephen Hunter.

Firearm featured here seems to be the Webley Mark I. The distinct octagonal barrel was explicitly mentioned, and also the .455 cartridge that especially came with it. I first came across a Webley revolver playing Bioshock. The top break action is rather eye-catching, as well as the octagonal (cross-section) barrel, off course.

There were other firearms mentioned as well, but the Webley was the one that caught my attention. In fact, I kept expection something cool to happen that would involve the gun somehow.

[Pete · Rating 2 out of 5]

His sniper novels are terrific but this was pretty dreadful. Didn't find any of the characters believable and the story is rather convoluted. Might have worked as a straight forward espionage novel but for some reason the author decided it should be about a love triangle where one character is drawn to both a homosexual school chum from days gone by and a white woman.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

A disappointing read for me.

There was only 1 character I actually liked - the old guy. He goes by so many names, as can happen in spy novels. I kinda liked Julian too but there was just an air of phoniness about him. All the rest I didn't care for at all. Florry for instance, one of the main characters, was incredibly unbelievable and thus very unlikable. He had served overseas in India as a cop (as the British equivalent of an Military Policeman, I believe), had seen at least 1 execution but was INCREDIBLY naive in so many ways. This is the guy they're gonna send on an important mission? Like, that's the best the British Empire has??

Here's the spoiler. There are 2 spies that get revealed at the end. One of them, I picked up on early - pretty predictable, especially if you've read more than a few spy novels. The other one was a surprise but he was such a peripheral character. It made sense but, That's it???

Lots of action which was nice. I stuck with it to the end because I wanted to see what happened to the old guy and to see if the villian got his just desserts. In reading the other reviews I can see how some readers loved this book but also how others like myself were completely unimpressed.

[Russ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the backdrop of the Spanish civil war, and the promise of ideological confrontations, shifting allegiances, and physical combat among the partisans. And I followed the English spies well enough here.

But there were a few too many layers of Soviet spies to follow. There's always a risk in spy novels of too much spy vs. spy until the reader gets totally lost--and here it's exacerbated with Russian names and at least one major character literally in disguise most of the time. The word I'd use to describe the antagonists and villains in this book is "muddled."

Also, the battles weren't described as well as, for example, Bernard Cornwell would have.

In addition to the often secret political motivations of the characters in this story, there is also secrecy involving the personal motivations and love interests of the characters. Characters had emotions and attractions that were revealed toward the end, which seemed to me to contradict their earlier behaviors and actions. So the romance elements seemed more odd than interesting.

Overall, an interesting glimpse at an underexamined historical event, but the execution was a bit uneven.

[MisterLiberry Head · Rating 3 out of 5]

Formerly titled THE SPANISH GAMBIT, this 1985 espionage novel deftly exploits the chaos of the Spanish Civil War, which Stephen Hunter depicts as a chess game with too many players. The main NKVD spymaster in TAPESTRY OF SPIES – also is a chess master renowned for his willingness to strategically sacrifice pawns. Levitsky has “the hardness of spirit and the sheer guts to pay the price as the combinations developed, feeding his own pieces into the maw to advance the pawn” (p32). One of the British pawns is a hapless ex-policeman named Florry sent by MI-5 to Spain in pursuit of a possible mole, who also is, arguably, “the world’s fifth greatest living poet” (p166). Hunter’s plot is as complex as the Spanish War itself, but harkens a bit to Hemingway’s FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, only with lots more traitors and spies.

[wally · Rating 3 out of 5]

finished 14th november 2023 good read three stars i liked it kindle library loaner and only 44 reviews to day if i have right...34? 44? for a story written in 1985 that's unfortunate as it is a good read. description should tell you the story line don't need to repeat that here. last two hunter stories show a range of talent beyond the bob lee swagger, earl swagger stories i'd read when i started with hunter.
don't know much about the spanish civil war...do you want me to shoot thee, ingles? it is nothing. so can't say whether it is true to form as they say in literary circles but it has that ring. plots and subplots, friends and enemies, killing and living life. onward and upward.

[Jarrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunter has been telling good stories for a long time, and this is yet another. Really enjoyed it. The characters are likeable and memorable. Following them through the area of battle set within the Spanish civil war of the 1930's, they go for their main mission of blowing up a bridge. There's really good espionage going on here. Several elements vying for power and influence. Good vs Evil, left vs right, Fascism vs Communism (both evils ;) are all at hand here and looking to turn the tide of the war in their favor. I found this to be one of the better page turners of his stand-alone novels and found it enjoyable. I'm sorry I put off reading it for so long.

[LecturerRich · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I started to read this it was a struggle I did not like it but it reminded my of something else I read and did not like. Finally figured it out - for Who the bell tolls.
I don't know if he wanted to write a book in the Hemmingway style or not but to me the result was the same; I did not like it.

[Adrian Ramos · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very hard to understand this book. Dealt with a forgotten bit of British and Spanish history. Pre ww2. Plus I listened to the British accents and unfamiliar colloquialism of the era. Could not even make myself finish it. Disappointed 😩

[M.E. Syler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of Steven Hunter. The book is set in the Spanish Civil War and I don’t have a good grasp of the period. However, the characters were very interesting and moved the storyline forward with realistic scenes.

[Drystal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not at all like his other works..difficult to read for me

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Hunter does it again and again. Tapestry of Spies is one fantastic read. To Barcelona, Spain he weaves a story that is so profound on historical and weaponry fact. Don't miss this one!

[Michael Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different

Started slow but I liked the twists. It’s a different kind of Hunter book but enjoyable nonetheless. Overall, I enjoyed it.

[Robert Peck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depressing Spy Story

Stories of internationa! intrigue and aircraft are seldom uplifting, but this book is depressing. No one wind or survives in this tale.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but not an easy read. Lots of history as to how politics and p19eople were thinking during the 1930's and early 40's.

[Robert Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not find that this book was as good as most of the books I have read in this genre, it was also rather slow moving compared to what I am used to.

[Frances Littell · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Hans Ostrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crisp, vivid writing, wit, and believable historical background. Takes narrative advantage of how complicated the politics of 1930s Spain were.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK. Not the best work by Steven Hunter

[Matt Hostetler]

Seemed like a Ken Follett book. The Spanish Civil war adds a lot of intrigue. Not sure who Bob the nailer was? Lots of plot twists.

[Donald Trump · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a 'Loser'!
* 1 Star.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun spy mystery taking place during the Spanish Civil War. Lots of twists, romance, and adventure. A fun read!

[Karen Suhorsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book first time I have read this author.

[Brett T · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Spanish Civil War was both a preview and a concentrated form of a clash between two of the vilest ideologies ever invented by fallen humanity -- fascism, as the catspaw of its most extreme version called National Socialism and the Stalinist strain of the poison of Communism and Marxism. In the late 1930s, devotees of both dueled in Spain, allowing the Nazis to "field test" many of the weapons they would later turn on the rest of Europe and allowing Soviet dictator Josef Stalin a number of access points to up-and-coming political folks in Western Europe and the United States. They wrecked the country without much thought for the people who lived there -- many of whom spent the war dodging bullets and trying to live in the midst of all of these people supposedly fighting on their behalf.

Into the midst of this sordid slice of 20th century history, thriller writer Stephen Hunter sends Robert Florry, a shabby would-be writer coerced into spying for England's MI-6 intelligence agency. Florry is supposed to link up with his former Eton classmate, Julian Raines, who is writing about the war while also fighting in it and who may have been recruited as a Soviet spy. Florry is supposed to learn what he can about Raines' connections and loyalties, and act accordingly. The amateur spy's mission will be made that much harder by the presence of a Russian spymaster and former New York City gangster who's a part of one of the many Communist groups using the Spanish war for their own ends, as well as a young Englishwoman who is there to help the Nationalist cause and with whom Robert is falling in love.

Hunter is best known for his series of books about covert military sniper Bob Lee Swagger and wrote Tapestry of Spies (formerly The Spanish Gambit, after a chess strategy) earlier in his career. But as a movie critic for The Baltimore Sun at the time, he has plenty of writing experience and Spies features him already well in command of his pacing, narrative and style. He may write airport novels, but he writes them at a higher level than a lot of authors; one of the reasons the Swagger series gained notice and a movie deal.

Spies, though, does suffer from the fact that its bleak context settles into the characters and renders them as unpleasant as their circumstances. None of the people involved are the slightest bit likable, and even those who may be on the side of right are folks you'd not care to spend time with -- nor are you at all assured they're on the side of right for anything like the right reasons. In the end, Spies is an excellently-prepared dish that still isn't anything you want to eat or that you enjoy if you do.

Original available here.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, I'm an avid Stephen Hunter fan. The Swagger Family series (1990 - 2013) is really quite captivating (see my review of "Point of Impact"). Hunter's earlier books (1980-1990) are quite different, focusing on international espionage and terrorism. They are each stand-alone books, and they vary in quality. One might think of them as early and better versions of today's Daniel DaSilva thrillers.

"A Tapestry of Spies" is centered on the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War, in which the Nationalists (Fascists) led by General Franco and backed by Germany went toe-to-to with a melange of different "Red" groups lumped together as Republicans. The Republican groups ranged from workers' groups to Trotskyite communists seeking decentralized democratic workers' state) to Russian Stalinists wanting a highly centralized communist state; they had little cohesion but were joined against a common enemy.

The action is in Barcelona, the Catalonian hotbed of Republicanism, where the Stalinist and Trotskyite factions were at each others' throats. Two Eton school chums--the aristocratic bon vivant Julian Raines and his erstwhile chum Robert Florry whose love/hate relationship with Julian is in the H stage--have joined the International Brigade of the Republicans in Barcelona. Britain's MI-6 thinks that Julian is a Russian spy and Florry is co-opted to keep an eye on Julian. A beautiful woman named Sylvia is thrown into the mix, as is Levisky, an elderly Trotskyite who was a grand master in chess and has devoted his life to the communist cause (but not to Stalin's corrupted version).

A portion of the book involves an effort by Republicans to blow up a key bridge and both Julian and Robert are involved (shades of Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls"). The love triangle between Julian, Robert and Sylvia is inserted into a fierce geopolitical struggle that presaged World War II. Not everyone is who you think they are, creating great confusion among the protagonists and the readers, and it all gets sorted out in the end. Did Raines's mother have it right when she said "The Raines men are all perfect shits, but they die well."

Find out for yourself.

Reviewed Books by Stephen Hunter

Earl Swagger Series
Hot Springs
Pale Horse Coming
Havana

Bob Lee Swagger Series
Point of Impact
Black Light
Time to Hunt
The 47th Samurai
Night of Thunder
I, Sniper
Dead Zero
The Third Bullet

Ray Cruz Series
Soft Target

[Stefanie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

""

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably a 3.5 but an interesting enough effort by the author to merit rounding up.

Another WWII era thriller, albeit this one takes place in Spain during the civil war, so the events precede the big war by a few years. British intelligence sends a down at the heels, somewhat disgraced, former policeman with Britain's Burmese forces to kill a high profile British national who is believed to be a spy for the Russians and is fighting in Spain. The former cop has a longstanding personal relationship with the British national which explains why he was the unlikely individual chosen for the mission.

As the title intimates, plot and character twists abound. Some were truly surprising, some I figured out beforehand. Overall, this book is the perfect airplane read for a long flight (which is how/where I read it). It's engaging enough to make one forget the discomfort of air travel, but not so absorbing as to stay with a reader once he or she has finished the book