Top 10 spy novels ever include a Bond hit and a 120-year-old classic

The world of espionage fiction continues to enthrall readers, offering a thrilling combination of covert operations, concealed identities, and perilous assignments. In 2023, Publishers Weekly enlisted literary figure Patrick Worrall, author of “The Partisan,” to curate a definitive list highlighting the best spy books of all time.

Worrall’s selections span over a century, commencing with a 1901 classic that served as inspiration for real-world double agents, and progressing through gripping Cold War narratives and sophisticated adventures. Here are the spy novels considered essential reading for enthusiasts of the genre, as suggested by experts.

10. The Untouchable by John Banville (1997)

John Banville’s “The Untouchable,” a Booker Prize-winning novel, unfolds a tale of deceit against the backdrop of the rigid British class system. Loosely drawing inspiration from Anthony Blunt, a member of the infamous Cambridge spy ring and Surveyor of the Queen’s Pictures, the narrative centres on Victor Maskell. Maskell is a secretive art historian and Soviet operative whose clandestine double life gradually faces exposure.

The article observes, “The implication is that Blunt and fellow traitor Guy Burgess became natural double agents given their upbringing in a society where homosexuality necessitated a lifestyle of coded language, covert networks, and surreptitious encounters.”

9. The Prone Gunman by Jean-Patrick Manchette (1981)

Jean-Patrick Manchette’s acclaimed work, “The Prone Gunman,” a cult favourite in France, follows Martin Terrier, a corporate assassin seeking retirement to reconnect with his childhood sweetheart. However, he finds himself unwillingly drawn back into a lethal game.

Worrall points out that Manchette’s oeuvre is rooted in post-war French politics and the noir style of Dashiell Hammett: “His books consistently feature a relentless mockery of the bourgeoisie. Most descend into a state akin to madness by their conclusion.”

Manchette’s stark prose and stark realism profoundly impacted a generation of European crime novelists. Despite his works being less recognised in English-speaking regions, his influence remains undeniable.

8. Smiley’s People by John le Carré (1979)

While John le Carré’s “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” frequently appears on spy fiction recommendation lists, “Smiley’s People” is highlighted here for its sophistication and sense of resolution.

In this novel, George Smiley is recalled from retirement to probe a murder that could present a definitive opportunity for both vindication and retribution against his KGB adversary, Karla. “It’s this redemptive quality that distinguishes ‘Smiley’s People’, alongside its unusually detailed exploration of the Soviet system’s brutality.”

The book also exhibits an uncanny prescience, featuring a plot involving poisonings and political assassinations that eerily mirror real-world events occurring decades later.

7. The Human Factor by Graham Greene (1978)

Graham Greene’s “The Human Factor” centres on Maurice Castle, a mid-level British intelligence agent whose tranquil existence starts to crumble as personal loyalties collide with professional obligations. In contrast to many espionage protagonists, Castle is not a field operative or master manipulator; rather, he is an ageing bureaucrat driven to betrayal by deeply held personal beliefs.

Greene, a former MI6 operative, based the novel on his own experiences within the intelligence community. The narrative delves into themes of institutional distrust, racial dynamics, and colonial politics, particularly evident through Castle’s relationship with his South African wife.

“This is purportedly the book into which Greene channelled the majority of his firsthand knowledge of the spy world—with the spectre of ‘Kim’ Philby… looming over the ending.”

6. The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth (1971)

Frederick Forsyth’s “The Day of the Jackal” masterfully combines fictional elements with historical facts, recounting the saga of a professional British assassin contracted by a French far-right organisation to assassinate President Charles de Gaulle. The novel’s procedural structure meticulously details both the assassin’s elaborate preparations and the relentless police pursuit aimed at his capture.

Forsyth’s journalistic background informs the book’s meticulous detail, encompassing forgeries, fabricated identities, and surveillance techniques. “The tradecraft also constitutes a significant part of its appeal… the renowned ‘Jackal Fraud’ method for generating a false identity… remains in use by certain intelligence professionals.”

Published in the early 1970s, the novel established a benchmark for realistic spy thrillers, influencing subsequent authors in both the espionage and crime genres.

5. Modesty Blaise by Peter O’Donnell (1965)

“Modesty Blaise” introduces a former criminal mastermind recruited by British intelligence. The novel originated from a popular comic strip character conceived by Peter O’Donnell and illustrator Jim Holdaway. In this inaugural novel, Modesty collaborates with her steadfast partner Willie Garvin to confront international threats using a blend of martial arts, strategic thinking, and improvisation.

The character’s backstory—a child refugee who evolved into a gang leader—adds depth to her transformation into a government operative. “Yes, it’s absurd… but she is an enduring action heroine, lovingly crafted by O’Donnell.”

4. The IPCRESS File by Len Deighton (1962)

Len Deighton’s “The IPCRESS File” centres on an unnamed British intelligence officer investigating brainwashing and nuclear armaments. Unlike Bond, this spy is characterized as sardonic, working-class, and cynical. The book interweaves Cold War tension with satire, expressing scepticism towards military and political establishments.

Deighton’s distinct narrative voice and fragmented chronology significantly reshaped the framework of spy fiction in the 1960s. The book also garnered attention for its innovative marketing; the original edition showcased a striking cover design by Ray Hawkey, providing the genre with a fresh visual identity. “Style triumphs over narrative here… Precise, humorous, and brutal in turns, yet consistently brimming with energy.”

This book marked the commencement of a long-standing series and was adapted into a film starring Michael Caine.

3. Casino Royale by Ian Fleming (1953)

“Casino Royale” marked the debut of James Bond in novels. It depicts 007 tasked with bankrupting the antagonist Le Chiffre at a French casino, with events taking a sinister turn following Bond’s capture and torture. The novel establishes many recurring elements of the series – its opulence, peril, and Bond’s internal struggles.

Fleming, who served in British naval intelligence during World War II, penned the book soon after the war’s end. Its Cold War setting and lavish backdrop captured a sense of escapism that resonated with post-rationing Britain. “[It’s] very silly, upon reflection, yet utterly captivating.”

2. Epitaph for a Spy by Eric Ambler (1938)

In “Epitaph for a Spy,” a Hungarian language instructor is erroneously accused of espionage while staying at a hotel on the French Riviera. Compelled to identify the actual spy to exonerate himself, he is drawn into a complex network of Gestapo surveillance and political machinations.

“Essentially a whodunnit, a Poirot-esque mystery unfolding in a small hotel on the French Riviera, featuring a Gestapo agent rather than a murderer to be unmasked.”

Ambler’s influence is discernible in the works of John le Carré, Graham Greene, and subsequent espionage authors who embraced his more realistic approach to spy narratives.

1. Kim by Rudyard Kipling (1901)

“Kim” follows Kimball O’Hara, an Anglo-Irish orphan in colonial India who becomes entangled with the British Secret Service. Set during the apex of the “Great Game” between Britain and Russia, the novel blends coming-of-age themes with espionage training and clandestine operations.

Frequently interpreted as an adventure chronicle or cultural depiction of India, “Kim” also serves as a seminal spy novel, incorporating codes, disguises, and intelligence gathering techniques. “It’s also an espionage thriller… exploring the transformation of young Kimball O’Hara into the quintessential undercover agent.”

Kipling’s prose, utilisation of Indian dialects, and attention to cultural subtleties contributed to the book’s critical acclaim, although its imperialist undertones remain a subject of debate. The real-life Cambridge spy Harold “Kim” Philby was nicknamed after the novel’s protagonist, highlighting the book’s enduring impact on both fiction and historical events.