John le Carré books: The titles you should read by the spy novelist

While this was his third novel to be published, it was the one that earnt him his international acclaim. Thanks to its ability to redefine the spy story as a gritty tale of men who are caught up in politics, it remains just as revolutionary now as it was then.  

Set in the height of the Cold War, the plot deals with Alex Leamas, a British case officer, who is sent to East Berlin on false pretences to sow disinformation about a powerful East German intelligence officer. Praised for being a gripping and unforgettable novel and one that asks uncomfortable questions about Western democracy and communism, it exhibits le Carré’s mastery of plot and pacing. 

A heavily fictionalised account of the hunt for the real-life British intelligence mole Kim Philby, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a tense page-turner. From smoke-filled Whitehall offices to the backstreets of Hong Kong, it’s been heralded as a pitch-perfect fusion of credible and intriguing characterisation, as well as an immersive, complex plot that remains as gripping today as it did when it was first published.

This is le Carré’s debut, in which he introduces George Smiley, a tenacious and retiring spy and one of his most famous recurring characters, as well as the fictional version of the British intelligence, “The Circus”. More of a detective story than one of espionage, it tells the tale of Smiley’s investigation into the unexpected death of civil servant Samuel Fennan. Described as having a pulse-pounding plot and praised for its nuanced depiction of the genre, it’s a must-read.  

The novel opens in Nairobi following the gruesome murder of Tessa Quayle, a humanitarian and social activist – the rumours are that she was faithless and careless. But her bereaved husband Justin refuses to believe them. The Constant Gardener tracks his path through a web of international conspiracy and corruption. It’s equal parts an exposé into global corruption and capitalism, as well as a moving story of a man fighting for justice. 

le Carré’s first post-Cold War novel, The Night Manager details an undercover operation to bring down an international arms dealer. In this page-turning novel, former British soldier, Jonathon Pine, is taken on a mission from the cliffs of west Cornwall to the jungles of Panama, all for his search for the truth. It’s a chilling tale of corruption, in which le Carré crafts a claustrophobic world in which no one can be trusted.

Critically acclaimed as one of his best, Our Kind of Traitor tells the tale of Russian money-launderer Dima who seeks the help of a friendly British couple Perry and Gale after meeting them on a Caribbean island resort. Through strong characterisations, le Carré crafts a tale of quick pace, dirty money and even dirtier politics.