Current / Recent reads...

[Scott]

Helen, I've only read Child 44 and really enjoyed it...I'll have to catch up.

Welcome Brian...I have A Spy by Nature but haven't read it yet, I'll have to get to that one as well. Just finished The Debriefing by Littell. Really enjoyed it, but it was an older work and I just happened across it in a used bkstore. There are more recent titles that I've seen highly recommended. I bet you can't go wrong with Littell.

Finished Schism by Bill Granger...not as good as November Man, but still good espionage stuff. Also finished The 9th Directive by Adam Hall. Pretty good...more assassin fiction than espionage.

[Brian]

Scott wrote: "Helen, I've only read Child 44 and really enjoyed it...I'll have to catch up.

Welcome Brian...I have A Spy by Nature but haven't read it yet, I'll have to get to that one as well. Just finished Th..."

Thank you Scott. I'm always looking for different authors. I have yet to read Granger's stuff, but he's on my list. One author who writes excellent espionage fiction is Joseph Hone. I always recommend him to people, and like Littell, it is tough to go wrong with him. His books are way out of print, but you can sometimes find old paperbacks on Amazon. I highly recommend him if you get a chance. Thanks again, and I look forward to all of the feedback within the group.

[Elli]

I have about 50 pages of my present Cara Black Paris mystery to finish and I'm into Child 44. Am really looking forward to it.

[[deleted user]]

Just finished 11/22/63 by King and will now start Child 44 immediately. So glad i read this discussion today.

[Helen]

You're gonna love it. Enjoy.

[Rogue]

I'm currently reading Ice Hunt . It may not be esplonage but it's close.

[Richard]

Russell wrote: "Scott wrote: "What are you currently reading in the area of Spy/Espionage fiction (or have just read, or are about to read, etc)?

I've just finished Rain Fall by Barry Eisler. Does "assassin" fi..."


i'm reading the shadow patrol by alex berenson

[Roger]

David Morrell's Brotherhood of the Rose. Check it out.

[Richard]

i agree brotherhood of rose and fraternity of the stone are awesome

[Barb]

Just finished Olen Steinhauer's Milo Weaver trilogy. Thought all three were fabulous. The complicated plots are not for the faint of heart.

[Susan]

Barb wrote: "Just finished Olen Steinhauer's Milo Weaver trilogy. Thought all three were fabulous. The complicated plots are not for the faint of heart."

I have AnAmerican Spy on top of my 'to read' stack. I really enjoyed the first two and like the Milo Weaver character a lot.

[Richard]

i'm reading the tourist right now

[Barb]

Susan, I'd love to know what you think of An American Spy when you finish it.

Richard, are you enjoying The Tourist?

[Helen]

Alan Furst is the best! He's got a new one coming out in a couple of weeks, and I can't wait!

[Susan]

Helen wrote: "Alan Furst is the best! He's got a new one coming out in a couple of weeks, and I can't wait!"

Who would you compare him to? I haven't read anything by him.

[Helen]

His books all take place in Europe, in and around World War II. He would say that his books are about spies, not about spying, and that's true. His prose is supple and beautiful. His descriptions of character and place and mood and feeling are so solid and real that you feel his people exist, and you feel you are there. If you like Graham Greene and John LeCarre, you will probably like Alan Furst.

[Michael]

Yes, when he's good he's very good. I did feel, though, that Spies of the Balkans was a bit repetitive.

[Helen]

Yeah, it wasn't his best effort. Still, all Furst is good Furst. Mission to Paris was just reviewed by the New York Times, and it sounds great. It's certainly got me all tingly. Here's the link to the review:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/04/boo...

[Michael]

Ah soignee, there's a word you don't hear much, especially about writing. I like the black tobacco and drains and garlic. Can't get more evocative of Paris than that. (Except that black tobacco is no longer available.)