Espionage novels with plenty of tradecraft/spycraft

[brokenshoes]

I haven't read many spy novels, but when I have, the parts of the book that I particularly enjoy are the sections that focus on trade/spy craft (I didnt even know that term existed until watching the Andrew Marr series recently) - so the bits about how the agents contact each other/exchange information/move around to avoid being followed etc.

Any recommendations?

I quite enjoyed William Boyd's Restless.

Try Charles Cummings, also Stella Rimmington.

If you can cope with Tom Clancy's politics (Poet Laureate of the Joint Chiefs) Cardinal of the Kremlin is good on tradecraft and realpolitik.

Thank you. I'll take a look at these suggestions.

As well as above, Henry Porter might fit the bill. Also Eric Ambler - though he's 'last century'. Nothing to beat John Le Carre too.

I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes...one of my all time favourites.

Alan Judd

Graham Greene

John Buchan for real old school trade craft

John Gardner's railton family novels and his herbie kruger series.
I am pilgrim is fantastic too

Do you only want novels? I found The New Spymasters absolutely fascinating, but it's real life rather than fiction.

Very much last century (if not the one before), but I found both "The Secret Agent" and "Under Western Eyes" by Joseph Conrad fascinating. I would second Graeme Green, especially "Our Man in Havana" - topical! Also, James Bond books are different to the films. Enjoy!

The Slough House books, great fun.

And another vote for Charles Cummings, I think CC might actually be better suited to what you want, Slough House is definitely great as well, juts different.