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