A major bestseller upon its first publication in 1975, "The Tears of Autumn" is McCarry's riveting novel of espionage and foreign affairs, spun wit...
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reviews
Aug 03, 2011
David
rated it: 
Not just one of the many fiction books that explores a theory behind the assassination of JFK, but one of the first. The theory can be explained in one or two sentences, so this book is more about the character of spy Christopher Paul trying to connect the dots to present a case that, as any astute reader can guess, will be covered up in the end. The biggest positives of this novel are that it is very readable, the action is good and shows almost no sign of being dated, which is good for a 197
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Dec 28, 2007
Fran
rated it: 
This book was originally published in 1975 and I read it for the first time in 2005. McCarry's description of the American strengths and pitfalls in Vietnam impressed me tremendously. That he could have written what he did pretty much contemporaneously with the end of the Vietnam War is astounding. Of course, I enjoyed the hero Paul Christopher, but came away thinking that McCarry possesses much wisdom in his political assessments.
Sep 24, 2009
Sebastien
rated it:
Good book.
I'm loving McCarry's writing style; precise without being too concise and maintaining the poetry of words... but I didn't think this book was as good as The Miernik Dossier. Maybe that's because I'm not that into conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy Assassination (which is what the plot revolves around).
Overall the book was good but meandered at times. The love interest was a farce and really needless. The cast of characters... was great... there is a ce More...
I'm loving McCarry's writing style; precise without being too concise and maintaining the poetry of words... but I didn't think this book was as good as The Miernik Dossier. Maybe that's because I'm not that into conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy Assassination (which is what the plot revolves around).
Overall the book was good but meandered at times. The love interest was a farce and really needless. The cast of characters... was great... there is a ce More...
Dec 01, 2008
Nancy
rated it:
I listened to, rather than read this book and it was so good that I rushed out and bought The Miernik Dossier (the first of the Paul Christopher series) and have plans to read each and every book in the series. What intrigued me was yet another JFK assassination theory. I'm not a conspiracy theory nut, but I am interested, and never did believe in either the single-bullet theory nor that of the lone gunman. And as much as I loved Oliver Stone's JFK, well, let's just say that it was a lot of the
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Jul 02, 2008
Brigham
rated it: 
I found this after listening to an NPR review of the best spy novels ever written. Charles McCarry is someone I'd never heard of, but was considered the best American spy writer. This book lacks a lot of the suspense and twist factor other writers enjoy hanging their stories on, and instead focuses on the dealings of how things are done. It's a bit Michael Clayton in the way it reveals the details behind plots, bribes, thefts and murders. The questions weren't as much 'why' throughout, but 'how?
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Sep 16, 2011
Dan
rated it:
I dug this one. McCarry takes a more minimalist approach than other intrigue writers such as Forsyth. His writing is light but crisp, with edgy, convincing dialogue. Ultimately I got a little lost in the conspiracy, but I almost felt like I was supposed to, and trusted the narrative enough for it to remain plausible. The backstory of Paul Christopher being formerly a published poet was a nice touch too.
Apr 03, 2010
Wendybird
rated it:
The premise for this spy mystery is entertaining and informative, and it does a remarkable job of weaving many JFK assassination issues into the story. The plot is skillfully built, with well-detailed scenes. It involves lots of characters from many nations, and I'd forgotten about a couple of them by the time they reentered the action. The entire novel is presented from the perspective of one spy. I never learned much about his non-professional thoughts aside from his past and present love i
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Jan 10, 2012
I was hoping to love this as much as I enjoyed William Boyd's "Restless".....however, it wasn't nearly as riveting as I hoped it would be. I found the characters one dimensional. Paul Christopher was so macho and unrelatable and the women were all pathetic. This was clearly written by a man.....a less fun version of James Bond without the gadgets.
Mar 27, 2010
Jon
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This is one of the first Vietnam books and JFK conspiracy books. I read it a long time ago, then re-read it about four years ago. I loved it the first time and that led me to read every Charles McCarry books. The five-star rating was for the first read. Strangely, the second read wasn't as entertaining. I would give the second reading a four star.
Oct 02, 2011
Lucy
rated it:
Liam on this very site suggested this book to me. I had never heard of it but was in the mood for a spy thriller and this one fit the bill brilliantly. Based on JFK and the mystery of who shot him, we meet Paul Christopher who is an American agent who feels he has to do something to get to the bottom of this mystery as he doesn't see anyone else trying.
The book is brilliantly written, you really get inside his head, see all his foibles and accompany him on his exciting travels from c More...
The book is brilliantly written, you really get inside his head, see all his foibles and accompany him on his exciting travels from c More...
Aug 29, 2011
Dgg32
rated it: 
Honestly, I have finished the book. Only 1/3. I know, it is sometimes premature to evaluate a book just after 1/3. But I don't see the point to continue. I really don't quite get the plot. Something here something there. A lot of side stories and no big pictures. That 1/3 volume doesn't say much either and I still haven't seen anything that arouse me.
Currently, this book is the my first one star.
Currently, this book is the my first one star.
Jul 31, 2011
Jen
rated it:
I have just discovered McCarry as an author and what a great find. In this Paul Christopher novel, Paul comes up with an explanation for the assassination for John Kennedy. Using all his skills as a secret agent, he investigates the crime in an operation that takes him to Vietnam, the Congo, Paris and Italy. Well written and entirely plausible. Christopher is a great character, interesting and full of depth.
Dec 03, 2007
Don
rated it:
This is a good, well-crafted spy novel--kind of a classic.
It runs a very spare 276 pages. If this had been written by a contemporary author in the suspense genre, the book would be at least 600 pages, more than 1/2 of which would be pure padding. McCarry is the model of efficient writing. When the protagonist gets on a plane, he doesn't tell you about the food on the flight, or what the stewardess was wearing, or anything about the plane; the plane ride is merely a means for the cha More...
It runs a very spare 276 pages. If this had been written by a contemporary author in the suspense genre, the book would be at least 600 pages, more than 1/2 of which would be pure padding. McCarry is the model of efficient writing. When the protagonist gets on a plane, he doesn't tell you about the food on the flight, or what the stewardess was wearing, or anything about the plane; the plane ride is merely a means for the cha More...
Nov 21, 2011
Bob
rated it:
This is a plausible story of a possible relationship between the assassinations of the presidents of Vietnam and the US. As a Vietnam combat veteran myself, I appreciated McCarry's insights into the history, values and mindset of the Vietnamese - and the arrogance and ignorance of US political leaders at that time. A good read.
Oct 11, 2010
Bart
rated it:
Deservedly a classic. Anyone who loves espionage and international suspense fiction should read this book. It puts much of Ludlum to shame.
Very real, very gritty, very authentic feeling. Like the best of Frederick Forsyth.
I wish there were more in this series and more authors writing as genuinely as this.
Very real, very gritty, very authentic feeling. Like the best of Frederick Forsyth.
I wish there were more in this series and more authors writing as genuinely as this.
Jul 23, 2008
Ron
rated it:
For more detailed comments about the McCarry spy novels, see the review of Shelley's Heart.
This novel was my first direct contact with CIA agent Paul Christopher, who in this case discovers some truths about the assassination of President Kennedy that are so threatening to Kennedy's legacy and to certain diplomatic relations that he is told to cease and desist. Being the intrepid hero (but also something of an enigma - McCarry tells us about him but doesn't really explain or show us More...
This novel was my first direct contact with CIA agent Paul Christopher, who in this case discovers some truths about the assassination of President Kennedy that are so threatening to Kennedy's legacy and to certain diplomatic relations that he is told to cease and desist. Being the intrepid hero (but also something of an enigma - McCarry tells us about him but doesn't really explain or show us More...
Feb 17, 2010
Ben
rated it:
A very good spy novel, set during the end of 1963. Even though there's not much action, the story is very compelling and the writing more than a cut above. The story and characters feel very grounded, though that may be partially because McCarry bases the story around actual events.
Jan 06, 2011
Ajj
rated it:
This is a strong spy novel of the cold war period. McCarry does a good job bringing the situation in Vietnam in the early 60's into focus and plays with the JFK myth in a fun way.
Mar 19, 2010
Steve
rated it:
Contains one of the most fascinating -- and somewhat plausible-- JFK assasination theories that I've ever run across. One of the best spy novels, by someone other than Le Carre.
Jul 28, 2010
Kevin
rated it:
Tears of Autumn: A Paul Christopher Novel (Paul Christopher Novels) by Charles McCarry (2007)
Mar 16, 2010
Lou
rated it:
A very early Paul Christopher novel [1974:]. Plot contains one of the many JFK assassination conspiracy theories. Why not?
Jan 12, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
One of my favourite authors writes another breathtaking novel featuring secret agent Paul Christopher.
Dec 12, 2009
Chris
rated it:
Good writing, not great. I hear his other books with this character are worth a read
Sep 02, 2010
Mark
rated it:
This is McCarry's first novel and it had me from the beginning. Nicely paced.
Sep 01, 2010
gaby
rated it:
Five stars. This book is a masterpiece of spy literature, every bit as good as Le Carre's finest. This was my third Paul Christopher novel, and each has been better than the last. I am utterly smitten. In less subjective terms, the book presents a cogent, logically valid alternative scenario for the JFK assassination. It is eerie to think that no one ever advanced this theory before... Fascinating ideas, brilliant execution.
Oct 24, 2008
Tom
rated it:
I was introduced to Charles McCarry via recommendations about A.J. Quinnell. I found a copy of Tears of Autumn and very much enjoyed the espionage story about investigating the Kennedy assassination abroad.
McCarry writes authoritatively - having served as an intelligence officer doesn't make him want to describe how a watch is made when you want to hear what time it is.
I've already set aside Christopher's Ghosts.
McCarry writes authoritatively - having served as an intelligence officer doesn't make him want to describe how a watch is made when you want to hear what time it is.
I've already set aside Christopher's Ghosts.
Jul 12, 2010
Simon
rated it:
An intelligently written spy novel, can't say that too often. At times I felt like I was reading Hemingway, both stylistically and pace-wise. Fun, and not dumb-downed read for the conspiracy theorists out there.
