THE 50 GREATEST SPY/ESPIONAGE NOVELS OF ALL TIME

[@sherryfyman7066]

Oh Tristan, you are diabolical. First you do a video cautioning us against becoming voracious book hoarders who can’t possibly get to our TBR list no matter how many lifetimes we live, then you put up a video like this that makes me want to run out and add 50 books to my TBR stack! 😊❤😊❤

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 A real Bond Villain.

[@FranklyItsMe]

100% agree!! 😂

[@jamalgharib1464]

He is the worst!! 😂

[@gailm.8190]

My husband and I were glued to this video over morning coffee!! I told him I wanted to set a challenge for myself to read all these books!! I couldn’t believe I recognized so many titles!! Thank you!! Happy New Year 🎊

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

You can do it!

[@dm1523]

Great Video! Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Russia House are two of my all time favorite books ever. They are both slow burns, but so worth the read and reread and reread. It takes so much metal energy and there are so many layers. I always have one of the two books with me on a trip, because I am always finding more with each read. Clancy is great too. Cardinal of the Kremlin is fantastic. When ones own ghosts of war keep a person grounded enough to not succumb to the KGB's latest tricks, you know you are operating on a different level. I think Without Remorse to be his best. Nick Herron of Slow Horses fame should be (and will be) in this list as well. He has a level of wit not often seen in the genre.

[@Mark.remarking]

Mick Herron

[@raf571]

Tristan, this video was brilliant! I have read the complete Le Carré, while published and I am delighted to discover he is still one of the best ❤ He was one of my favourite authors for recreational reading. You have made some very good suggestions. I am saving this video for when I will be in need of a lighter read. I need to tackle all those Graham Greene books on my shelves in 2025 🎉

[@veronicamaria2730]

Great list! I also enjoy Helen MacInnes. " Assignment in Brittany" was my favorite.

[@susantownsend8397]

I kept waiting for those top 3 and you did not disappoint.

[@Syssn3ck]

Merry Christmas everyone! Thank you, Tristan.

[@dipacmr]

Tristan, I just came across your video on KZbin. I've read espionage novels my entire life. I first discovered spy books in 7th grade with 'The Looking Glass War'. I also remember reading 'Topaz' by Leon Uris, at that same time. My favorite espionage author is John Le Carré, followed by Charles McCarry's 'The Last Supper', and then there's a distant third, Dan Sherman's 'The Prince of Berlin' and 'The Dynasty of Spies'. I've alway liked repeat characters, as one gets to know them well - sort of like Podcasts in a humorous way. Also, I quibble over your top spot. Like you, I've read that novel probably seven times and seen all the movie productions. Still, Graham Greene's 'The Human Factor' ranks up there with the best of espionage fiction and certainly in the top five, along with his other book, 'The Quiet American'. I discovered Greene in my 20s and he holds a warm place in my heart. I recently reread 'The Human Factor' and it's so good. I read somewhere that he originally wrote it in the 60s but waited until the 70s to publish this novel because of his respect for John le Carré. It holds up on a reread. Hemingway said that the good things we remember about a book, we put there ourselves. I agree with that...

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thanks for this amazing comment 👏

[@renukaviswanathan454]

I have everything written by Le Carrie and read and watch the BBC version of Tinker Tailor whenever I feel bored. I always discover something new

[@verodunstan7864]

Thanks for sharing Tristan. Merry Christmas!

[@bolojungle1150]

1. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - John le Carré 2. The Spy Who Came In From The Cold - John le Carré 3. The Hunt For Red October - Tom Clancy 4. The Quiet American - Graham Greene 5. Eye Of The Needle - Ken Follett 6. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming 7. The Day Of The Jackal - Frederick Forsyth 8. The 39 Steps - John Buchan 9. From Russia With Love - Ian Fleming 10. Red Sparrow - Jason Matthews 11. The Sympathizer - Viet Thanh Nguyen 12. A Mask For Dimitrios [^1] - Eric Ambler 13. The Bourne Identity - Robert Ludlum 14. The Secret Agent - Joseph Conrad 15. American Spy - Lauren Wilkinson 16. The Alice Network - Kate Quinn 17. Our Man In Havana - Graham Greene 18. Gorky Park - Martin Cruz Smith 19. Smiley's People - John le Carré 20. I Am Pilgrim - Terry Hayes 21. Berlin Game - Len Deighton 22. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson 23. The Kill Artist - Daniel Silva 24. Slow Horses - Mick Herron 25. Ashenden - W. Somerset Maugham 26. The Ipcress File - Len Deighton 27. The Honourable Schoolboy - John le Carré 28. American Assassin - Vince Flynn 29. Agents Of Innocence - David Ignatius 30. Night Soldiers - Alan Furst 31. Damascus Station - David McCloskey 32. Clear And Present Danger - Tom Clancy 33. The Odessa File - Frederick Forsyth 34. The Bourne Ultimatum - Robert Ludlum 35. Box 88 - Charles Cumming 36. The Cardinal And The Kremlin - Tom Clancy 37. The Charm School - Nelson DeMille 38. The Girl Who Played With Fire - Stieg Larsson 39. Need To Know - Karen Cleveland 40. The Berlin Exchange - Joseph Kanon 41. Patriot Games - Tom Clancy 42. Transcription - Kate Atkinson 43. Kim - Rudyard Kipling 44. The Russia House - John le Carré 45. The Secrets We Kept - Lara Prescott 46. Secret Service - Tom Bradby 47. The Innocent - Ian McEwan 48. The Company - Robert Littell 49. The Riddle Of The Sands - Erskine Childers 50. Goldfinger - Ian Fleming [^1] Also called “A Coffin for Dimitrios” in the United States* A sample of some others from the readers’ comments (in no particular order): Assignment in Brittany - Helen MacInnes Triple - Ken Follett The Fourth Protocol - Frederick Forsyth Harry’s Game - Gerald Seymour The Ministry of Fear - Graham Greene All the Old Knives - Olen Steinhauer The Peacock and the Sparrow - I.S. Berry' The Double Game - Dan Fesperman Shibumi - Trevanian (a pseudonym of Rodney William Whitaker) The Tears of Autumn - Charles McCarry Beirut Station - Paul Vidich A Spy Alone - Charles Beaumont Typhoon - Charles Cumming Underworld USA Trilogy - James Ellroy The Little Drummer Girl - - John le Carré The Tears of Autumn - Charles McCarry The Last Supper - Charles McCarry William Boyd: [Where to start with William Boyd: a guide to his best fiction](thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/features/where-to-start-with-william-boyd-a-guide-to-his-best-fiction) Also: [Top 125 Best Spy Authors Ranked by Tim Shipman for Spybrary : Spybrary - Spy Podcast](spybrary.com/top120spyauthors/)

[@mame-musing]

@bolojungle1150 Wow! Thanks for transcribing and also noting recommendations from the comments. Right near the top is the very suspenseful “Assignment in Brittany” by Helen MacInnes. Another of her pre WW2 spy stories is “Above Suspicion”.

[@nickcrosby9875]

More Alan Furst, less Clancy. Philip Kerr surely if Forsyth is included

[@nickcrosby9875]

Also David Downing

[@chriscw1443]

Loved it! Thank you... (you creak as much as you like)...Great as always

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

🤣🤣🤣

[@JudithDean-ez7be]

I look forward to all your book reviews and lists. Your "spy list" was exceptional. I've only read a handful of the titles on this list, but now have an abundance of new choices for future reads. I would very much like to encourage you to do more genre lists if time and personal obligations premit it. Thank you so much -- love your channel.

[@johngreaves3749]

My favourite spy novel has to be Our Man in Havana, Graham Greene. A brilliant satire and absolutely hilarious in places.

[@RocketRoketto]

Spy novels!?!? Tristan, this is a very strange way to propose. But yes. Ill marry you! ❤❤

[@suzannes8017]

This is my favorite area of purely escape reading. I've read many of these, and you have introduced several that I haven't heard of. Thanks for a really useful list!

[@matildac9672]

Another Great video, spy novels are another genre i love. i love these suggestion videos. What a way to start christmas day with a Tristan video. Merry Xmas Tristan and family

[@tommonk7651]

Now this is my kind of list! I can't tell you how many of these are in my library.... I'm currently listening to the Gabriel Allon series.... Very good list and excellent Top 5..... I think I can guess #1. (Got it.... 😁) I'm with you on Bond, as well.... I want realism.

[@sandracoombs2255]

Fabulous! That was so well done - to go through so many books and nail the heart of each would not have been easy. I loved your presentation on each. Thank you Tristan. Have a wonderful Christmas. When I was young my favourite gifts from my parents were books at Christmas. I’d go off to my bedroom after lunch and read! I can imagine you doing the same. Enjoy!!😊❤

[@CarolineLeSage-k7s]

Great video!!! Looking forward to the next ones in this series.

[@markreadsbo]

What a great video I have not read Follett's Eye of the Needle yet but am reading Triple by him, which is brilliant I find Ken follet an under rated writer I know he has sold lots of books but he brings a humanity his writing that very few writers do.

[@juanmorales9738]

Great video, Tristan. One of my favorites.

[@margaretinsydney3856]

I'm not really a spy novel person, so the only books I've read on this long list are the quirky ones: Our Man in Havana, The Quiet American, and The Secret Agent. I love all of these. I tried with Le Carre, but I got bogged down and confused, but I loved the TV series. I do appreciate the work that went into this video -- into all your videos! I'm just about to join your patreon group. I've acquired all the novels, and have already read The Honjin Murders, which is fabulous! 😊

[@julienelson9095]

I so enjoy this channel. I've been on my phone so much that I haven't read as much as I used to. My New Year's resolution is to slow down and read more. And I'm going to start with The Spy Who Came In From the Cold. Thanks for the list!

[@scarletowl8337]

Yay thank you! My favorite genre! 🕵️‍♀️A very happy Christmas to you and your family! Happy 2025 reading 📖 ❤

[@jeank3224]

Great and welcoming list! I’ve been looking for a genre shift to and this is perfect timing. Much appreciate your effort and result in crafting this for us. Merry Christmas.

[@lesleygordon9634]

Fantastic. The best book video I have seen but then I’m a big fan of spy stories. I have only read nine of these so plenty to keep me going. I guessed the top book and it is deservedly so. I would recommend Ben MacIntyre for non-fiction spy stories.

[@ellenrobinson6381]

Well done. Love Buchan and Childers.

[@tommcmillan2300]

Love this video! I’d love your take on which of these will have the staying power to rise to the status of “classic.”

[@angelaluz405]

This may be my favorite of your videos so far. I not so secretly hope to see more like it in future. I do so love a list.

[@harrietsmock1393]

Tristan, thank you for a wonderful Christmas present! Opening this video felt just like the excitement of opening a gift I knew I would love. Thank you for the incredible research you did for us. 😀 👍

[@adellajones9887]

Merry Christmas 🎁

[@jsjim]

Great video, Tristan! Thank you for all the recs. I was considering joining your patreon and I was wondering if once you're in you can watch past videos? There's some really interesting reads I'd like to check your take on. Thanks again!

[@RB-zl7mr]

I appreciate all the research you put into this video. I will be saving this for future reference!

[@grahamarcher2729]

Thanks for sharing your video Tristan. I'm a big John le Carré fan, and at the moment I'm reading his son's book "Karla's Choice" which is also about George Smiley. He writes under the name of Nick Harkaway. Merry Christmas!

[@alidabaxter5849]

Thank you for all the work you put into this video, which features a genre I love and books which I reread all the time. It's superb that you went all the way back to "Ashenden" (I understand that Maugham, whose novels I reread all the time, was so disgusted by his experience of the British secret service that he left Britain and made his home abroad for ever after). "The Riddle of the Sands" is very slow, I think, by today's standards, but from then on the genre absolutely gallops. My copies of le Carre's books are dog eared with rereading, and I completely agree with your top pick. Incidentally, I rushed to my bookshelves to check that I still had a copy of "Gorky Park" because I hadn't reread that one for a while! May I ask whether you considered the American writer Charles McCarry at any point? He worked for the CIA, one of his books deals with the way "Doctor Zhivago" got to the west, and another has an interesting theory about the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy. Thank you again for a wonderful video.

[@bananasplit3805]

Great video! Looking forward to read more from ale Carre and Ambler.

[@anotherblonde]

First read Le Carre, a discarded paperback, in a hostel in Athens in 1979 (Dianas'): The Honourable Schoolboy. Loved TTSP as a book and from the original BBC series which I wish they would reissue in full. Honourable mention for me should go to Brian Freemantle and his Charlie Muffin series and other books under pseudonyms. Surprised The Fourth Protocol didn't make the cut. Just back from holiday where I only saw paperbacks being read.I've read 41 of the 50 named books.

[@markmcnulty7736]

The BBC series is available on BBC iplayer

[@bodytrainer1crane730]

Excellent video. Thank you! And Happy Holidays 2024 from the U.S.

[@annbassett8283]

I enjoyed your list. Your top two are my top two. Thanks for the video. It was terrific.

[@juliae.8237]

Thank you for the ultimate list and all in the comments section for rounding it out. Great idea for a video.

[@juneclifford8377]

Brilliant video.

[@joepingue2120]

This is a wonderful list, Tristan. Thanks so much. I’m glad you included some of the classics, Greene, Conrad, Le Carre’, Buchan, Maugham. Just wonderful. I ask you to consider adding Stella Rimington. Her Liz Carlyle is quite interesting as a woman making her may forward through hard tasks, just like her author, herself the first female DG of MI5.

[@glockensig]

Some of these espionage books used to be well kept secrets..... Way to go.....

[@A4000]

Yes, I’m sure the authors appreciate efforts to keep them unknown to most. 😂

[@FranklyItsMe]

Tristan! What are you doing to me?? 😂😂😂. I now have an entire folder of excel spreadsheets filled with lists of all my tbr! 😂 I can’t wait to finish this one, color coded and formatted. Such a true source of joy and inspiration you and your channel bring me. You’ve never steered me wrong. I’m planning on a month of le Carré to read 4 (at least) Smiley books in 2025. TTSS- my guess for #1. Lookin great Tristan! Thank you!! Love your Patreon page too! 😁

[@FranklyItsMe]

Ahhh I was right! Highest on my tbr I have heard this is the BEST spy novel ever. Saving it for last when I start my le Carré /Smiley series.

[@timbock2560]

Fantastic list! I've read at least twenty of these titles and I'd mostly agree with placement. I'd tend to slide the Ian Fleming titles lower in the list -- I love those books. But I don't think they are necessarily great in comparison to some of the others here. I'd substitute 'The Ninth Directive' by Adam Hall. In fact, I highly recommend all of the Adam Hall titles in the "Quiller" series. Really REALLY great spy novels. I promise! I also love 'Tears of Autumn' by Charles McCarry. And for a real treat, try the very obscure 'Rogue Male' by Geoffrey Household.

[@station8076]

"Quiller" series is great. Flowers for Moira

[@philnasmith9755]

Brilliant video - Thanks Tristan ❤

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

My personal favorite (I’ve only read 10% of this list) is The Bourne Identity. I was 22 in the late 70s, and someone where I worked (ad agency) left it on my art table. I was drawn to it. Immersed in it. Like a great long movie.

[@paularmstrong2020]

Awesome! BTW, I guessed two in the top 10 (The Quiet American ((which I just finished last month)), The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, and I got close with my The Bourne Identity guess). Thanks for the video. Brilliant!

[@bdarci]

Tristan, this was an excellent video. I have read many of the books, and agree with most of the choices. My reading list has grown, thanks to your video.. You may want to reedit this a bit. You gave away the end of Tinker, Tailor Soldier, Spy when you discussed another Le Carre book.

[@stevenpace1849]

Very nicely done, Tristan. I love the British book covers. Tomorrow, I will be off to the Chicago Public Library! Thanks for everything.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Have fun!

[@VelliMak]

Great video! I watched it twice - the second time with taking notes of the most interesting ones (to me) If you would, I’d like to watch a similar video listing top crime novels, and not necessarily detective novels but preferably from the other side of the law or from the grey area

[@mame-musing]

Thanks for doing all this research. I’ve been meaning to read The Secret Agent by Conrad for the longest time. I bought Ashenden at a library sale a year ago, your video just prompted me to read it sometime soon. “Our Man in Havana” is a very entertaining satire.

[@timeofgifts]

Thank you for all the work preparing this list. I'm not a fast or diligent reader and mostly read history but period spy novels, I do enjoy. The criteria for inclusion became quite elastic and so I began thinking, 'Well if X qualifies, why not something like 'All the President's Men' or even 'The Name of the Rose' - told you I liked historicals! I mentally prepared my half dozen 'suspects' and three were in the top ten. My 'Oh damn! How did I forget?' moment was Ashendon, which I first saw with BBC's 1980's adaptation with Alec Jennings & Jos Ackland (who was also Jerry Westerby). Obviously, I wanted to get the book & ordering it seemed like cheating. So, I spent several weekends going to all the bookshops I could find in Dublin, before I got my copy. Hope to show my appreciation in another fashion soon.

[@audiophileman7047]

It certainly sounds like a terrific collection of books for the spy/espionage book aficionado. I see a number of books on your list that intrigue me and make me want to pick them up and read them. For the full effect when reading an Ian Fleming James Bond novel, make a Vesper Martini, "shaken, not stirred", and sip it while you read. 🍸

[@mannymistry68]

The Hunt for Red October - I'm afraid you did what most synopses writers of the movie do. You give it away. The best part of the book (which thankfully I read before watching the movie) is that we dont know if Ramius is going to defect or if he is going to launch his missiles on America.

[@Yesica1993]

I stopped reading your comment after, "You give it away." I've always wanted to see the movie. (And, I guess, now read the book.) So I will skip that portion, thanks!

[@margijohnson3900]

39 steps - one of my absolute faves - read the book and watched every film adaptation

[@station8076]

Thank you for the list, Tristan. I own / have read 22 of these, and have watched the film adaptation of several others. William Goldman's, "Marathon Man," and Ira Levin's, "Boys From Brazil," are deserving of honorable mention, as well as Geoffrey Household's, "Rogue Male," and James Grady's, "Six Days Of The Condor."

[@Mark.remarking]

Great job Tristan. Thank you.

[@Mark.remarking]

Merry Christmas 🎄

[@jojomontgomery7119]

Thank you for your research! You have given me many to check out.😊

[@the16thGemini]

This is an excellent list of great works both past and present of the spy/espionage genre. These writers all did one common thing expertly..... pull from and reflect the times. This listing pairs well with Tim Shipman of Spybrary Top 125 Spy Thriller Authors.

[@margijohnson3900]

Excellent vlog Tristan, thank you

[@TheParadoxDestroyer]

Darn it, Tristan! You kept me up till 3am. I could not stop listening until I heard whole list.

[@judithgreenwood6247]

When you proposed the list, I instantly chose my top, and we agree! I discovered along the way some I’ve missed and I will set that right. The Eye of the Needle is the scariest book I remember reading. I was haunted by some scenes for a while. Because it was so frightening, I didn’t place it in the spy genre, but in thrillers, but of course you’re right.

[@laurateall8847]

I really appreciate this list, so thanks very much. I was wondering, since I've watched 2 or 3 videos here where he is mentioned, if you might consider doing a video on Graham Greene. I believe you said "He seems to be able to write whatever he feels like writing.." Ive read "The Heart Of the Matter", "The end of the Affair", and "The Quiet American", so I've had a chance to notice how diverse he can be; different styles and such a range of topics. I've also read that Greene really didn't care for Americans at all, which was devestating to me since I am an American, and love the way he writes...but he's written so much stuff and he's so gifted. It could make for a very interesting video, don't you think??

[@ElysianSchool-q6v]

I havent read all of these but i do love most of these authors, especially Ken Follett, Graham Greene and John Le Carre! Thank you for the list! ❤

[@Joe-gq4hh]

I hope you had a Merry Christmas 🎁 and a Happy New Year 🎊 🎉. May you have a blessed year 🙏. Keep the great read’s coming. Joe

[@andreeablaj3414]

I admire your work so much! ❤

[@dqan7372]

Thanks for doing this. Seems like most times when I looked up lists like this they include books by the author of the article--coming next February!

[@colemannee9898]

Great list! I had never heard of Ashenden before but it's on my to do list now. Personally I would put The Spy Who Came In From The Cold in first place and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy in second, but they are so close.

[@nicholashunt-bull101]

I have read 22 of these! Have read some several times, in particular The Quiet American. Thanks for the recommendations.

[@susantownsend8397]

The Riddle of the Sands was one of my husband’s favorite books so I was glad to see it on your list. He also loved the Rostnikov novels by Stuart M Kaminsky. I love spies and suspense. I started with Ian Fleming when I was 11 - my older sister was friends with some boys who were reading them and they let me join their group that was passing them around.

[@marjoriedonnett5467]

I've never been a big fan of spy novels, but I've read many on your list. My top three are Gorky Park (3), The Day of the Jackal (2) and Eye of the Needle (1 and a favorite). I've never read Clear and Present Danger, but I love the movie!

[@johnmckinstry8546]

Happy New Year Tristan. Looking forward to what you do in 2025. Thanks for all your hard work. 🎉

[@scottgraham1143]

I love the Ashenden stories, so I hope they don’t get forgotten. Only one Alan Furst book? I would strongly recommend Olen Steinhaeur and his Yalta Boulevard series. Both above authors are American, but their stories have a great feel for Europe. Also, Gerald Seymour is a serious omission - Harry’s Game is a classic.

[@nudge2626]

Great list. I would have thrown a Alistair Maclean novel on there too, such as Where Eagles Dare. He sold over 150 million copies of his books so was super popular at the time.

[@CareyTisdal]

Throughout all genres, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy is my favorite book. I still remember being so confused the first time I read it, and then I realized that Le Carre was leading me down the same path that Smiley was following and letting me see how confused Smiley was at the time. I have never had such a viseral experience of being inside a character and the world created by the book. Smiley is a masterful creation, and I love him. Yet, Jim Prideaux breaks my heart.

[@a.m.8252]

Fabulous!!! A great, great video! Question: I'm very interested in participating in your Patreon discussions but am concerned about the time they take place. May I ask at what time they begin (I'm assuming GMT.). I am fra away and fear I may be asleep when your Patreon events occur. Many thanks and kudos galore from one of your most enthusiastic fans!!! 💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

[@TheNutmegStitcher]

Love this! Sometimes I just want the escape of a good spy thriller, but one still well written. ❤

[@krymsonshenk6050]

I haven’t read spy books before, but these sound interesting. Thanks for your hard work researching

[@joeobrien5566]

I’ve managed six of theses and now have a great list to go at, thank you :-)

[@JamesTownsend-y1j]

Merry Christmas Tristan!

[@messier4033]

Excellent work 👏🏻

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@messier4033]

@tristanandtheclassics6538 we're gonna need a bigger bookshelf 🦈

[@scp240]

Graham Greene and Eric Ambler are both among my favorites in this genre, if not all literature. As for Fleming, I grew up with the movies and read them all when I was a mere lad. I recently re-read Goldfinger, and it was interesting but not all that well written in my estimation. Perhaps best to stick to the movies in this case. Conrad's Secret Agent is fine but not among his best works in my opinion. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo was excellent but the next two volumes kind of trailed off. As for the rest, I haven't read them but I appreciate the review and ranking and added a couple of them to my TBR. I suppose I need to get around to Le Carre.

[@FrankOdonnell-ej3hd]

Very long video but well worth it. If you had not included eye of the needle in the top ten I would have been severely disappointed. About reading the innocent you summed up my own reaction near the end very well: NO NO NO! The only one I strongly disagreed with is patriot games. Parts of it were so embarrassing I was almost cringing but Clancy redeemed himself with the cardinal of the kremlin that while a conventional spy thriller was absolutely riveting. I might have included at least one by Gerald Seymour on my own list though he deals more with terrorism than spy games and the grim endings of most of his books put some readers off. Happy New Year!⚛❤

[@frankshifreen]

Thanks Great Video

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Pleased you enjoyed it ☺️

[@DefaultName-nt7tk]

Wow, what a list ❤! If I read half of them I should qualify for the best spies of today's world. 😂😂😂. Thank you Tristan I really enjoyed your video😊.

[@Sammyandbobsdad]

No Tom Clancy book should ever be ahead of a John LeCarre book. Clancy couldn’t write to save his life. His books actually improved after his death and jobbing authors took over the task under his name. LeCarre was great not only because he knew what he was writing about (he was an ex spy, not an insurance salesman), but also wrote beautifully, deeply, to a level Clancy’s simplistic depthless characters and rudimentary syntax cannot compare.

[@renukaviswanathan454]

Le Carre explores the theme of betrayal not just the action of Clancy

[@mel8186]

Thanks for the list, going to work my wag through it

[@laurenlane9564]

Wonderful!!

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Pleased you enjoyed it ☺️

[@nedludd7622]

A helpful list of which I have only read about half, though I would put "The Company" much higher up. An omission is James Ellroy's "Underworld USA Trilogy" which combines historical figures with fictional characters.

[@feelfluent-discoveryoursel470]

It's the most awaited video.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Hope you enjoyed it ☺️

[@paddyomaddy]

No surprise Tinker Tailor is No. 1 :) Also, the BBC adaption with Alec Guinness is the best TV show I have ever seenn.

[@Numapass]

Very entertaining with one constructive criticism. Although you explained that your list is a mash-up of other lists, I get the feeling that Smiley's People is too low in relation to your number 1 book. Well done - I enjoyed this.

[@myraspivak2085]

Such a shame LeCarre’s Little Drummer Gurl was not mentioned. It’s fabulous.

[@derekp7864]

A great novel not in your list is Graham Greene's The Ministry of Fear, published in 1943 and set in London during the blitz. You could also add all the Smiley books and all the Deighton spy novels.

[@chandras.8051]

Fully agree with you derekp

[@siobhancondon8109]

Happy Christmas Tristan 🌲🕊🌲

[@jocko_]

I love spy novels. This list is great. Le Carre’, Forsyth and Greene are my favorites.

[@kallistoindrani5689]

Oh, a lot of them I find interesting! I didn't think that before I watched it. And I had no idea the girl who played with fire is a spy book (granted, it's been a number of years since I read the series).

[@ricardias1551]

Thanks a lot!

[@Harry_16710]

Brilliant list - look forward to how many of these I can finish in 2025. Happy New Year!