I've got an itch for a specific kind of spy novel.
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MOST IMPORTANT: Just a hint of sci-fi, like brainwashing (such as Manchurian Candidate and Bourne Identity). It doesn't have to be brainwashing specifically, but that's the first example I can think of. I'm not interested in straight up sci fi.
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Cold War setting – not required, but preferred
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No patriotic nonsense
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Love a good conspiracy/mystery for the protagonist to unravel
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Protagonist can be American, British, Russian, Korean, wherever. No preference.
I've never really read any spy novels, so I do have Slough House, John le Carré, and James Bond on my list (granted, those lack the sci fi aspect). But I just watched the original Manchurian Candidate, and would like books that are a little more out there.
by NCC75567
7 Comments
The Spy And The Traitor by Ben Macintyre is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Non-fiction but reads like fiction!
Davina Graham series
*The IPCRESS File* by Len Deighton
You mentioned Le Carré, and I think that’s what you’re looking for. More of a slow burn.
i don’t know about the brainwashing part but you could check out some of the originals.
[The Ipcress Fiiles ](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/171624.The_Ipcress_File?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=y7vSPoGQ9d&rank=1)by Len Deighton changed the spy genre forever. It was written during the height of the cold war and I believe there are 3 books in that particular series. His other books are just as great, The Game, Set, and Match trilogy and the Bernard Samson series by him are so good.
Graham Greene wrote some incredible books but they might be a bit outside your guidelines but definitely worth a look. Our Man In Havana might do the trick.
Day of the Jackal is not a spy novel but the hunt for an assassin but it involves a lot of unravelling and detective work. The book is brilliant. (the movie with Bruce Willis is a travesty, the original movie with Edward Fox was really good, and the new series with Eddie Redmayne used the book as a springboard really well lol)
And any John Le Carre but definitely the George Smiley books. Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy, the Man Who Came In From the Cold, all brilliant.
I was gonna say John Le Carré but since you have that already, try,
An Officer and a spy by Robert Harris
(He’s the guy who wrote Conclave on which the recent movie was based)
h{Code to Zero by Ken Follet}