SOLVED. Impossible to ask without MAJOR SPOILER... old spy novel [s]

[Stacy]

I read a book when I was in high school... and I'll NEVER FORGET the book because in the LAST SENTENCE both main characters are killed by ONE bullet that slices through them as they're embracing. My parents and I have been trying for MONTHS to REMEMBER the name of this book!!!!!! PLEASE HELP SOLVE OUR MYSTERY and put us out of our misery! :)
Thanks!!

[Danielle]

Do you remember any other information about the book that might help trigger someone's memory? (Plot, cover design, publishing date age of protagonists, target audience, etc.)

[Stacy]

That's the problem Danielle, is I just honestly don't remember much except the ending that was a HUGE SHOCK! HA HA. It was a novel about young spies or secret agents... and in the end they FINALLY fell in love and you were so happy for them for having survived and fallen in love and the FIRST TIME they FINALLY EMBRACE... here comes a sniper bullet that cuts through them both. END OF BOOK! AUGH. I read it in the mid 80s so it had to be published before that. I remember thinking it seemed like an old book (it wasn't a new release)... soooo that's about all I can help with!!!!

[Barbara]

Was it a library book? What region (of the world or US) did you grow up in?

[Stacy]

It was an old paperback that belonged to my mom. I grew up in Texas.

[Bargle]

No, it isn't "Deadfall". Sorry for the mistake.

Possibly Dead Fall by Desmond Cory.

I remember the couple in it dying at the very end.

(view spoiler)[The couple have just committed, or tried to, a large jewelry heist. They are helped in their scheme by a longtime employee of the jewelry firm. He's become ill and has to retire, I think. The firm cuts him off without pay because he was a bit short of some minimum number of years worked, leaving him holding a grudge. I think the couple fall into a pool or pond after they are shot. (hide spoiler)]

ETA: Also "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" by John LeCarre might be a possible, though the couple aren't killed by a single bullet.

[Bargle]

OK, I now know the book I was thinking of was 11 Harrowhouse. (view spoiler)[ The 2 characters are both shot as they are embracing at the end, each by a bullet that passes through one and then the other. (hide spoiler)]

Note to self: correct answer.

[Stacy]

OH MY GOODNESSSSSSS!!!!! YESSSSSSS! That's IT! Oh you truly have NO IDEA how THRILLED I am and thankyouthankyouthankyou! My parents and I have LITERALLY been trying for MONTHS to figure out this mystery!! I am buying a copy for her right now for Mother's Day!! :) You've made my day!! Ahhhhhh. :)

[Bargle]

Yay! BillyGlenn over at the IMDb deserves the credit for pointing me in the right direction.

"11 Harrowhouse" thread.