A Good Thriller discussion

What is a spy thriller?
Spy thrillers revolve around espionage and covert activities.

Key characteristics of a spy thriller:
Political intrigue
Undercover operations
Surveillance
Moral quandaries
Global stakes
Famous spy thriller examples:

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré – A retired spy uncovers a mole in the intelligence agency.
The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth – An assassin is hired to eliminate Charles de Gaulle.
Movie: “Skyfall” – James Bond faces a threat from within MI6.

Really Outstanding and Unknown Reads

Damascus Station by David McCloskey (2021): Written by a former CIA analyst, this novel captures the raw intensity of CIA operations in the Middle East and the complex, dangerous relationships between case officers and their agents.

Fugitive 13 by Rob Sinclair (2018): A fast-paced, action-packed thriller about a deep-cover agent trying to stop a massive terror attack, often compared to I Am Pilgrim.

A Reluctant Spy by David Goodman (2024): A unique, U.K.-based thriller where an ordinary civilian is activated through a "Legends Program," perfectly blending old-school espionage with new-school technology.

Red London by Alma Katsu (2023): Written by a former CIA/NSA analyst, this follows an MI6 agent navigating the dangerous world of Russian oligarchs and spies.

Ilium by Lea Carpenter (2024): A slim, gripping novel that offers a more literary, atmospheric approach to European espionage.

The Secret Lovers by Charles McCarry (1977): McCarry was a deep-cover CIA agent from 1958 to 1967, and his novels are lauded for their authentic, cerebral portrayal of intelligence work. This is part of his Paul Christopher series, focusing on a spy for "The Outfit" (a stand-in for the CIA).

The Mask of Dimitrios by Eric Ambler (1939): Ambler is often cited as the father of the modern, realistic spy novel, writing anti-fascist thrillers before World War II. This novel follows a mystery novelist tracking a master criminal across Europe, featuring a brilliant, moody atmosphere.

The Untouchable by John Banville (1997): this is a brilliant fictionalized take on the life of Anthony Blunt, the "fourth man" of the Cambridge Spy ring. It focuses on the psychological motivations of betrayal and the double life of a Soviet mole.

The Scarlet Papers by Matthew Richardson (2024): A highly acclaimed, intricate story linking WWII, the Cold War, and the present day through a single, devastating document.

I really enjoy John le Carré's work as well as The Day of The Jackal from Forsyth. The recent television series adaptation of The Day of The Jackal is, overall, pretty good.

I had high hopes of Greany's The Gray Man. Similar to Jack Carr's The Terminal List... the context and plot of these works were just too unrealistic.

Your recommendations for David Goodman and Charles McCarry look like great leads.

If you have any other ideas, please let me know.

There are also some of the older espionage novels such as:
The James Bond series by Ian Fleming and Len Deighton's Secret File series that starts with The Ipcress File.

For anyone who likes novels more on the LitFic side of the genre, Oxford Soju Club by Jinwoo Park is excellent and blends spy fiction with Korean identity. The audiobook rocked.

Daniel Silva

Sean wrote: "Daniel Silva

"

I love the Gabriel Allon series Sean! Have added #1 The Kill Artist to the bookshelf :)

I'll look up examples of the other authors you list later when I've finished populating all the genres with the current examples.

I know some of them quite well, but will need to make sure I pick their espionage titles as some of them write other types of thrillers too.

(police/action)

A former policeman, a member here

(Like Clare Mackintosh , a former policewoman)

Carol wrote: "For anyone who likes novels more on the LitFic side of the genre, Oxford Soju Club by Jinwoo Park is excellent and blends spy fiction with Korean identity. The aud..."

Thank you for sharing this Carol!
I have a hard time with audio's my mind tends to wonder unless I have the book and am following along.

I think The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen is an excellent spy book. It is book 1 in the series. My 4.5 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thomas how many are in this series?

Thomas wrote: "I think The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen is an excellent spy book. It is book 1 in the series. My 4.5 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Thomas, I read the second book in the series and liked it., I have this one on my TBR as well as an ARC of the 3rd book in my queue.

Lesle wrote: "Thomas how many are in this series?"

So far, 3. The second is The Summer Guests
the 3rd, not yet published, but available on NetGalley is The Shadow Friends

Thomas wrote: "I think The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen is an excellent spy book. It is book 1 in the series. My 4.5 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I loved that one Thomas. Just the thought of an enclave of retired spies hiding out in a small coastal village hooked me in! Will add it to the bookshelf :)

I have #2 The Summer Guests on my reading list this month as I have #3 The Shadow Friends from Netaglley, pub August 25

Carolyn wrote: "Thomas wrote: "I think The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen is an excellent spy book. It is book 1 in the series. My 4.5 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I have also been approved for #3.

Scott wrote: "I really enjoy John le Carré's work as well..."


Scott which one do you think of John le Carré's that would be the best one to start with?

Great, great series, in my top action series of books.

Kerry is also a member here

Highly recommended

Thomas wrote: "Lesle wrote: "Thomas how many are in this series?"

So far, 3. The second is The Summer Guests
the 3rd, not yet published, but available on NetGalley is [book:The Shadow Friends|22..."

Thomas I saw something somewhere about NetGalley that you have to be approved? I might be wrong and got my wires crossed again :P

Lesle wrote: "Thomas wrote: "Lesle wrote: "Thomas how many are in this series?"

So far, 3. The second is The Summer Guests
the 3rd, not yet published, but available on NetGalley is [book:The Sh..."

This is the NG link. You must join before you can request books. You may not get approved. It helps to list your book reviews in your NG bio. https://www.netgalley.com/auth/login

Thomas wrote: "Lesle wrote: "Thomas wrote: "Lesle wrote: "Thomas how many are in this series?"

So far, 3. The second is The Summer Guests
the 3rd, not yet published, but available on NetGalley i..."
There Is a GR NG group. Good luck.

Our group here has a large membership of Net Galley members, I have over 111 books still to read from Net Galley.

I have had to stop requesting books, as I cannot keep up with all the books I have been approved for.

I have 12 books approved waiting to review. 111 books would make me very nervous. I have found that publishers are more likely to approve me if I post my reviews prior to pub. date. My stats:
Feedback Ratio: 97%

371 Approved | 359 Feedback Sent

Yes, I realise this, you are correct, I am lucky I am auto -approved by many publishers.

Lots of authors ask me to read their books and send copies as well.

Sean wrote: "Yes, I realise this, you are correct, I am lucky I am auto -approved by many publishers.

Lots of authors ask me to read their books and send copies as well."

I am only auto approved by 1 publisher, Dundurn. Some authors do contact me asking me to read and review books. I accept some. I also get many widgets/pre approvals, both from NG and Edelweiss+.

The Roads Chosen, by Ben Carlyle:



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

I’ve not read a huge amount of espionage/thriller/adventure fiction (over the years I have read more than I’ve put on my shelf), therefore cannot claim to be a voice worth listening to, but.......

This story is real.
This story is profound.
This story is tragic.
This story is heartening.
This story is alarming.
This story has a soul (already said, I know, but I can’t think of a better way of putting it).
This story is believable.
This story is real.

Do not forget about our feature read for the rest of this month and all of March!

Delphian by Tim Rees
A totally different story than what you would think. Great skill in our Vincent Bon, a master of disguises as he plots to stop the British Government cover up!

BOTM Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Author Tim Rees Q & A Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thank you! Tim for answering some of our crazy questions!
We are so thrilled you are our first BOTM author!

Lesle wrote: "Do not forget about our feature read for the rest of this month and all of March!

Delphian by Tim Rees
A totally different story than what you would think. Great..."

Thank you, Lesle. It's been and continues to be an absolute pleasure. This is a fantastic group. I'm settling in. My slippers are already on with my feet under the table... :)

Tim wrote: "My slippers are already on with my feet under the table... :)..."

That is awesome! It is Sunday you know :)

I read Commissar: A Novel of Civil War Russia by D.V. Chernov It is historical fiction, set during the Russian Civil war. It is book 1 in a series and I plan to read more. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Please add this book to the group bookshelf.