Announcing the August tag

[Idit]

another book people can read, is The Scarlet Pimpernel - especially if you want a light, fun read. I looked at the shelves, and more than 20 put it as 'spies' and more than 20 for 'espionage' (I assume if I would continue looking - there would be more).
I unfortunately can't recommend it because I really really didn't like it. but I remember Jason liked it - so maybe he can recommend it

[Jeremiah]

I am in the middle of reading it now, but The Fix by David Baldacci would fit the espionage tag if someone is looking for a fun mystery read. It has been tagged espionage by 14 people and spies by 5. I definitely say it fits the tag and I recommend the book. It is part of the Amos Decker series (book 3). It is better if you have read the entire series, but you can read the books out of order.

[Critterbee❇]

Idit wrote: "another book people can read, is The Scarlet Pimpernel - especially if you want a light, fun read. I looked at the shelves, and more than 20 put it as 'spies' and more than 20 for 'es..."

Ooooh the Scarlet Pimpernel!! I totally forgot about that, it is a fun read. Reco, Reco, Reco!

[Cheryl]

My son has been recommending The Thief (and sequels) to me for years, and says it would fit great here. It did win a Newbery Honor, too, so I'll give it a go.

[Hahtoolah]

LibraryCin wrote: "I have three that I think also all fit other challenges, so the more likely options for me are:

- The Alice Network / Kate Quinn
- In the Garden of Beasts / Eric Larson
- The Woman in White / Wil..."

The Woman in White is a favorite of mine. In the Garden of Beasts is disturbing.

[Hahtoolah]

I will be reading Bridge of Spies for this tag selection.

[LibraryCin]

Hahtoolah wrote: "The Woman in White is a favorite of mine. In the Garden of Beasts is disturbing. ..."

I am actually hoping to get to all three in August, as they all fit other challenges, as well. If I have to give one up, it's likely to be "The Woman in White", but it's one I am still hoping to get to before the end of the year!

[Kimberly]

The book I just read:"Elizabeth I" by Alison Weir, had a lot of espionage... it ran rampant with it

[Amy]

Yes but you’re rating did not inspire confidence. No I love a good Tudor Court read myself, but it has to be written well.

[MargieD2017]

I will be reading 'A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and Great Betrayal' I am looking forward to reading this non-fiction historical. "Kim Philby was the greatest spy in history, a brilliant and charming man who rose to head Britain’s counterintelligence against the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War—while he was secretly working for the enemy. And nobody thought he knew Philby like Nicholas Elliott, Philby’s best friend and fellow officer in MI6. "

[Anita]

Interesting Kimberly! I have a book about Elizabeth I that I really would love to read, but by a different author . . .wonder if it would be the same . . .

[Jason]

Sir Francis Walsingham was Queen Elizabeth's 1 Secretary of State and one of the first Spymasters. He had an intricate spy network all through the nation.

I recommend Column of Fire, the third installment of Ken Follet Pillars of the Earth trilogy.

[Lyn]

Amy wrote: "OK, my new problem is this. I ordered three books from the library for espionage. They’re all on my TBR. But I just looked them up and all three of them are extremely low ratings. It’s hard to tell..."

I read George Washington's Secret Six a few years ago, and gave it 4 stars at the time. I liked the history, and thought the book was very readable.

[Amy]

Really! Thanks, Lyn.

[LibraryCin]

I actually really like Alison Weir, but find Elizabeth to be surprisingly not that interesting to read about by any author. Probably just me. Not sure why it is, but...

[Sara]

Michael wrote: "I can't imagine how many days and months of my life back in the 80s was taken up reading book after book of Ludlum and Clancy. Yet I can't picture going back for them. Both historical spy fiction a..."

Thank you for the literary recommendations. In 10 pages, I only had two books on my TBR and they were both Le Carre which I wasn't fancying reading right now. These definitely look more my speed.

I'll probably go with Warlight as it's on its on hold for me at the library and I'm next up.

[Meli]

I have Dashiell Hammett's Red Harvest on deck. I think this fits the tag, I hope :)

[Joi]

I think I've landed on Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love, and Betrayal. Great thing this month is ALL Decathalon picks will also work for the monthly tag!

[SouthWestZippy]

Idit wrote: "It's not something I read very often, so I don't have any recommendations to offer.

I do have one idea - for people who want something that's related to espionage, but from a whole different angle..."

THANK YOU idit for your recommendation! I have a book to read, The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography

[Charlotte]

Nicole R wrote: "So many choices! I really want to go with a nonfiction for espionage, so I have narrowed it down to

I read Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War and I'm not going to lie, I struggled through some parts of it. It was interesting but a bit drawn out in parts.

If you like learning about the Civil War then I definitely recommend it because it provides a different perspective that you don't always hear about. Hopefully the audiobook will be better.

[Elise]

Jason wrote: "I recommend Column of Fire, the third installment of Ken Follet Pillars of the Earth trilogy."

I didn't know that one was espionage! Another possibility for me!

[Sushicat]

That brought to mind Girl in Disguise, the fictionalized tale of the first female Pinkerton detective. I liked it well enough and it does fit the tag, even though it was not used by so many readers.

[Sushicat]

Susie wrote: "I think I’ll read Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. I have only read one Le Carre, The Constant Gardener, and I really enjoyed it."

Would you consider The Constant Gardener a good fit for the tag?

[Nicole R]

Charlotte wrote: "I read Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War and I'm not going to lie, I struggled through some parts of it. It was interesting but a bit drawn out in parts."

Thank you for the head's up! I did notice that not all of the reviews were glowing, but I just keep coming back to it so I hope that is a good sign. It is on hold at my library so we will see when it actually comes in....

I do enjoy reading about the Civil War—I love all American history as a general rule—so maybe that will help as well.

[Theresa]

❇Critterbee wrote: "Four Three of the books reco'd in this thread are on my tbr mountain!
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy rec by Jen and Karin
Etiquette & Espionage rec by annapi and Kate..."

Venetian Affair - a favorite and still just as exciting to read today. Both Assignment in Brittany and The Salzburg Connection should be considered! I love me a good Helen MacInnes espionage thriller.