Reading the 20th Century discussion

A genre, rather than an author.

For all of us fans of spy fiction - John le Carre, Mick Herron, Len Deighton - I was wondering what other authors are your favourites?

I am hoping to discover some new spy series in 2023. I have a few books on my reading radar, have any of you read them, or have others to suggest?

The ones lurking on my TBR list are:

The Envoy
The Stranger
A Foreign Country
Hellyer's Trip

Any thoughts? Any series/authors you are considering starting?

Susan wrote: "I am hoping to discover some new spy series in 2023. I have a few books on my reading radar, have any of you read them, or have others to suggest?“

Susan, I love espionage stories so would be interested to hear what you find, I’ve read A Foreign Country and liked it (my brief review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)

I’ve got The Envoy on my TBR too. I also like Stella Rimington’s series starting with At Risk - they are thrillers really but with an espionage angle

Thanks, Pamela.

The Envoy looks really good. I know we were talking about buddy reads. Would anyone be interested in a buddy read next year?

I've become a recent spy fiction fan, so I'm still in the process of discovery. Of course, John le Carré and Mick Herron are favorites and quite known to the group.

I discovered Robert Dugoni's Charles Jenkins trilogy via Netgalley last year:
The Eighth Sister
The Last Agent and
The Silent Sisters.

They weren't as literary as le Carré nor as bitingly funny as Herron, but they fit the bill for escapist spy fiction.

Your list looks intriguing.

Thanks, I will have a look. There are a lot of good new authors in the genre at the moment.

Susan wrote: "Thanks, Pamela.

The Envoy looks really good. I know we were talking about buddy reads. Would anyone be interested in a buddy read next year?"


I’d be interested in a buddy read of The Envoy.

My favourite isn't a new author: Manning Coles. In particular, their A Toast To Tomorrow, which gives a believable picture of what it was like in Germany, from WW1 to the rise of the Nazis. Particularly believable, since it was published at the beginning of 1940.

Sounds great, Rosina and only 99p. Duly downloaded.

Great, Pamela. When should we aim for? Maybe Feb, what do you think?

Good topic, Susan - and surprised we haven't had a thread on spy fiction before now.

I feel that le Carré has rather spoiled me for the field (apart from Mick Herron, needless to say) and I'm still intending to get through his back catalogue. Will follow the discussions with interest.

Susan wrote: "Great, Pamela. When should we aim for? Maybe Feb, what do you think?"

Feb would be perfect for me. Excited about this one.

The 9 Bernie Samson books (+ a prequel) by Len Deighton are excellent - a really gripping and rewarding series of novels

I've read and reviewed them all...

https://www.goodreads.com/series/6559...

Thanks, Nigeyb. Yes, agreed, Bernie Samson is a good character.

Thanks, Pamela, will set up a thread for Feb.

Another spy series I enjoyed (and still enjoy re-reading) is the David Audley series by Anthony Price, starting with . Not perhaps as twisty as John le Carre, but intelligent, and frequently involving several layers of history.

Yes, I loved Anthony Price. Perhaps we can do the first later as a buddy? Haven't read them in years and I think they were re-released on kindle.

Some of them are on Audible too, and I would love a buddy read!

The first is The Labyrinth Makers

No secret remains buried for ever... The award-winning first book from the author of OTHER PATHS TO GLORY.

When an RAF Dakota, presumed lost at sea in 1945, is discovered in a drained lake in Lincolnshire, together with its pilot and a cargo of worthless rubble, it falls to David Audley of the MOD to puzzle out just why the Russians are so interested, and what the plane was carrying that is important enough to kill for.

I read it in 2011, so am due a re-read. When you would like to schedule it, Rosina? Anyone else interested?

Early in the New Year would suit me - it's a fairly short/light read, so it can be fitted in with other reads!

January then? I'll set up a thread. Looking forward to it.

My favourites are both written by Ben Carlyle:

Thanks, Mary.

There is a new The Rest Is..... podcast coming out.

Goalhanger is to launch The Rest Is Classified podcast series which explores the secretive world of espionage, spies, and covert operations.

Hosted by two experts – David McCloskey, a former CIA analyst and bestselling spy novelist, and Gordon Corera, a veteran national security journalist who has covered the field for decades, the show provides a unique and authoritative look into the shadowy realm of global intelligence.

McCloskey and Corera draw from their experience to tell the hidden stories behind Intelligence operations, and the ever-evolving role of espionage in shaping global politics.

The series will uncover the murky and often misunderstood world of international espionage from the stories behind today’s headlines to those that have remained classified for decades.

Episode one is the first of a two-part series exploring the 1953 Iranian coup d’état, uncovering the secret history behind the event. It reveals how the CIA and MI6 collaborated in Operation Ajax to overthrow Iran’s elected leader, driven by a power struggle over oil and Cold War politics.

The Rest Is Classified exposes the covert tactics, secret deals, and the lasting impact on U.S.-Iran relations.

Future episodes include the CIA and FBI investigation into Russian “illegals” operating in the US and UK, the first CIA teams on the ground in Afghanistan after 9/11, the eccentric first Chief of MI6 and his legacy, tales of Cold War spies and traitors, the Bangladesh Bank cyber heist, and Edward Snowden.

David McCloskey, the bestselling author of The Seventh Floor, Moscow X, Damascus Station and The Seventh Floor (publishing in the UK in January 2025), is a former CIA analyst.

He gained his experience from field stations across the Middle East during the Arab Spring and his work in the Counterterrorism Center, where he focused on jihadist activities in Syria and Iraq. His background positions him as a leading voice in international intrigue.

Gordon Corera has covered national security issues for more than twenty-five years including two decades as a Security Correspondent for BBC News.

He is widely respected for his deep coverage of issues relating to terrorism, cyber-security, and espionage. He has interviewed spy chiefs from around the world and presented radio and podcast series including Shock and War: Iraq 20 Years On.

He has also authored several acclaimed non-fiction books on intelligence, including MI6: Life & Death In The British Secret Service and Russians Among Us: Sleeper Cells, Ghost Stories, and the Hunt for Putin’s Spies.

“The Rest Is Classified will delve deep into the world of espionage, giving listeners an insider’s perspective. It won’t just debunk myths or challenge fictional portrayals of spies — it will reveal the real, often astonishing, events behind these stories revealing how the truth is often wilder than the fiction,” said Corera.

McCloskey added: “By design, the espionage business is secret, and its operations take place below the waterline, but we’re taking you under the surface to uncover the classified details of what really happened.

“We’ve been in the room, covered these events, and spent years discussing them. Now, we’re opening the door to the realities of a secret world that’s nearly impossible to access through Hollywood or spy novels.”

The Rest Is Classified will be available on all podcast platforms and YouTube from Wednesday, 27 November.

I look forward to giving that a go


Thanks Susan

Reading The Day of the Jackal made me think of another book (and movie) I loved Six Days of the Condor. Both are definitely worth a peek.

Apparently, James Grady wrote other Condor books but I can’t speak for any of them. I didnt even know they existed until this moment. 👀

I enjoyed Ilium. A somewhat different take on the spy novel, but worth visiting.

Has anyone read any of the following:

The Peacock and the Sparrow

THE TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES THRILLER OF THE YEAR 2024

THE TELEGRAPH BEST BOOKS OF 2024

FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOKS OF 2024

WINNER OF THE 2024 EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL

WINNER OF THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL THRILLER WRITERS AWARD FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL

WINNER OF THE 2024 BARRY BEST FIRST MYSTERY OR CRIME NOVEL AWARD

WINNER OF THE 2024 MACAVITY BEST FIRST MYSTERY AWARD

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ANTHONY AWARD FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL

NOMINATED FOR THE STRAND MAGAZINE BEST DEBUT MYSTERY OF THE YEAR

One of the "top spy novelists of the 21st Century"The Times

'Gritty, propulsive, dark and twisty' David McCloskey, author of Damascus Station

'It's fantastic, I loved it' Steve Cavanagh, author of Thirteen

'Deservedly garlanded with high praise' Adam Lebor, Financial Times

'..the most impressive debut of the year to date and a spy novel to rank alongside the best of Mick Herron's Slough House series.'The Irish Times

'Sensually atmospheric, deftly constructed and written with flair...immediately elevates IS Berry, a former CIA case officer, alongside David McCloskey and Paul Vidich.' John Dugdale, The Sunday Times

'Berry has all of le Carré's cynicism about Western intelligence services, and outsoars him in her ability to convincingly evoke a love affair against an espionage backdrop. This is a star in the making.' Jake Kerridge, The Daily Telegraph

'A cracking debut thriller'The New Yorker

'Sensational...feels like every inch of the real world of espionage' Alex Gerlis, author of Every Spy a Traitor

'I.S. Berry is at the vanguard of a new generation of American spy novelists who have electrified the genre.' Charles Cumming, author of Judas 62

The thrilling debut from author and former CIA officer I.S. Berry, following an American spy's last dangerous mission.

Shane Collins, a world-weary CIA spy, is ready to come in from the cold. Stationed in Bahrain for his final tour, he's anxious to dispense with his mission — uncovering Iranian support for the insurgency. But then he meets Almaisa, an enigmatic artist, and his eyes are opened to a side of Bahrain most expats never experience, to questions he never thought to ask.

When his trusted informant becomes embroiled in a murder, Collins finds himself drawn deep into the conflict, his romance and loyalties upended. In an instant, he's caught in the crosswinds of a revolution. He sets out to learn the truth behind the Arab Spring, win Almaisa's love, and uncover the murky border where Bahrain's secrets end and America's begin.

Now optioned for film by Scott Delman of Shadowfox productions (Producer of HBO Max hit series Station Eleven).

It's won so many awards. Although I prefer my spies to be in MI5 rather than the CIA, is it worth a read?

Also, Damascus Station

***THE TIMES THRILLER OF THE YEAR***

SECOND NOVEL MOSCOW X AVAILABLE NOW

THIRD NOVEL THE SEVENTH FLOOR AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER

FROM THE CO-HOST OF PODCAST THE REST IS CLASSIFIED

A CIA officer and his recruit arrive in Damascus to hunt for a killer

CIA case officer Sam Joseph is dispatched to Paris to recruit Syrian Palace official Mariam Haddad. The two fall into a forbidden relationship, which supercharges Haddad's recruitment and creates unspeakable danger when they enter Damascus to find the man responsible for the disappearance of an American spy.

But the cat and mouse chase for the killer soon leads to a trail of high-profile assassinations and the discovery of a dark secret at the heart of the Syrian regime, bringing the pair under the all-seeing eyes of Assad's spy catcher, Ali Hassan, and his brother Rustum, the head of the feared Republican Guard. Set against the backdrop of a Syria pulsing with fear and rebellion, Damascus Station is a gripping thriller that offers a textured portrayal of espionage, love, loyalty, and betrayal in one of the most difficult CIA assignments on the planet.

Again, out of my comfort zone, but looks interesting.

Also, on my radar and more in my comfort zone is:
Every Spy a Traitor

Trust no one. Suspect everyone. It’s 1937. Fear and suspicion stalk the Continent. A million have died in Stalin’s Great Purge and the Nazi terror grips Germany. But British intelligence is still trying to work out who the enemy is.

As Europe heads towards war, treason is in the air. British spymasters know there is one Soviet agent in their ranks, codenamed Agent ‘Archie’, and there’s a frantic search to find them. What they don’t know is that he is not the only traitor.

The life of Charles Cooper, a young British writer travelling Europe to research his novel, is about to change for ever…

The thrilling first novel in Alex Gerlis’ new Double Agent espionage series, perfect for fans of Charles Cumming and Mick Herron.

'Clever plotting, rich detail and a compelling story of a young man forced to become a double agent to survive in a world where friends become adversaries and no one can be trusted.Every Spy a Traitor will reward fans of Graham Greene, Charles Cumming, Frederick Forsythe and Alan Furst' Paul Vidich, author of Beirut Station

'An absorbing portrait of a world on the brink that disarms you before it floors you' Tim Glister, author of Red Corona

'With this brilliant tale of a writer entangled in pre-World War II espionage, Gerlis cleverly builds an ironic and darkly realistic world that shows just how nebulous is the border between good and evil, observer and participant, our inner and outer lives. Richly imagined, meticulously plotted, and chockfull of historic details, Every Spy a Traitor is one of those rare books that gets better with every page. One of the best spy novels I've read' I. S. Berry, author of The Peacock and the Sparrow

Not me

OK, I am debating downloading The Peacock, but don't really trust prizes. Would be nice to know it's actually readable :)

Mr RC has read Damascus Station and was a bit so-so about it. But he's a le Carre fan and thinks no-one else need bother. Apart from Mick Herron, of course ;)

So much spy fiction is a bit so-so. I have to admit that anytime I try other authors it's so often disappointing in this genre.

Yes, I've often been disappointed too with either flat writing, unconvincing or unbelievable storylines and characters. Can't believe those puff quotes either. I've seen Peacock pushed everywhere too, so sure it'll end up as a Kindle deal at some point.

Yes, good point. Perhaps I can put it in my wishlist for now and risk it at 99p later!

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/m...

Sadly, the Mick Herron talk is sold out, but the exhibition looks fun for spy buffs.

Karla's Choice

I am in the middle of this. It is fairly entertaining and in the style of Le Carre. However, it lacks some of the punch of Mr. Le Carre.

I gave it a thumbs up Rachel….


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Rachel wrote: "Karla's Choice

I am in the middle of this. It is fairly entertaining and in the style of Le Carre. However, it lacks some of the punch of Mr. Le Carre."

Yes, I have to confess I felt similar reservations, as Nigeyb and I have discussed before. I felt it worked as an action thriller and was very plotty but didn't have the depth and nuanced of the original le Carre.

There's a lot more JLC chat in the Favourite Author thread should you or anyone else be interested