Enjoy watching Spooks, looking for spy books recommendations

[Jedimastermama]

Looking for recommendations for spy books, something easy to dip in and out of.

Which books have you found keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you 😊

I have always loved John le Carre. Especially the Cold War Smiley books.

If there is a “cozy espionage” category, the “Fields Guide to ...” books by Julie Mulhern would fit. Lots of fun and nicely written.

John Le Carre and Graham Greene are the old masters but both very far removed from Spooks.
Stella Rimington writes novels now but they're pretty rubbish and not very well written. I had a couple on 99p kindle but sent one back.
Whatever you do don't touch The Artemis Files, for some god only knows reason it got good feedback on here. Biggest load of tosh ever with random quotes stuck in the middle of paragraphs and Princess Diana.
A sort of spy/sas crossover who I always felt was underrated is Gordon Stevens. Also dated a bit now but has a real page turner about the IRA (Provo) and one about Bosnia (Kara's Game)

Holly Watt’s To The Lions (not spies but very spy-y)

Thank you for the suggestions, I will look into these.

Try Charles Cummings and also Mick Herrons Slough House series.

I really enjoyed I Am Pilgrim.

Restless by William Boyd is v good.
Exposure by Helen Dunmore is not quite a traditional spy story but told from the wife's pov and is v good.

I'm working my way through Helen MacInnes at the moment. Older, but very tensely written.

Len Deighton; the Game, Set and Match or Hook, Line and Sinker trilogies are classics

Not real world but Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman is quite cosy. Bit of fantasy in there but mostly undercover spy stuff in that framework.

Not found much like spooks tbh

Another vote for I Am Pilgrim.

I also enjoyed Star of the North by David John.

I really enjoyed Winter in Madrid by Sansom. Which is about spies but not an edge of the seat type thriller. Can't really put my finger on why I liked it so much but I did.

The Gabriel Allon series by Daniel Silva. Brilliant, and I have the whole series. Normally right on track with current events and near the knuckle too.

The Artemis File by Adam Loxley. A contemporary but classic, good old fashioned spy thriller. A cracking story, brilliant characterisation and a real page-turner, right up to the very last page. Lots of plot twists and great, atmospheric descriptions of London and various cities and towns across the UK. As you can tell, I absolutely loved it!

I quite liked the Stella Rimmington books ... at least they’re close to life!

Sweet Tooth by Isn McEwan is set in the 70s and was pretty good.

Another vote for Charles Cummings and Mick Herron. Both really impressive.