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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
George Smiley, John le Carré’s cerebral spymaster, is too valuable to retire even after his creator’s death, much like James Bond and Jason Bourne. Nick Harkaway’s book, Karla’s Choice, is a worthy addition to the le Carré collection, drawing on Harkaway’s deep knowledge of his father’s work to create a tale faithful to the original stories with a modern twist.
The story begins in 1963, with George Smiley hoping for a peaceful retirement after leaving the Circus. However, a sudden turn of events involving a Hungarian assassin and a missing literary agent thrusts Smiley back into action. As Smiley delves into the intricate web of connections across Europe, he inevitably faces his old adversary, Karla.
On the other hand, IS Berry’s debut novel, The Peacock and the Sparrow, has received high praise and awards for its nuanced character development and insider knowledge of the CIA. The story revolves around Shane Collins, an agency operative investigating Iranian involvement in an insurgency in Bahrain.
Henry Porter’s upcoming novel, The Enigma Girl, follows Slim Parsons, a former MI5 operative, as she embarks on a mission to uncover the secrets of a mysterious news website. With ties to Bletchley Park, this thrilling tale promises to be a captivating read.
Matthew Palmer’s The American Mission delves into the world of superpower diplomacy, shedding light on the ethical dilemmas faced by American diplomats in conflict zones. The story unfolds in Darfur and the Democratic Republic of Congo, exposing the dark realities of profit-driven agendas amidst chaos.
Ralph Boulton’s debut novel, The Champagne Wagon, takes readers to Stalinist Moscow through the eyes of Harry Speares, a young Welsh miner entangled in the communist regime. The narrative navigates a world of idealism, cynicism, and danger, highlighting the harsh realities of life in the Soviet Union.
Adam LeBor concludes with a mention of his own work, ‘Dohany Street’, a Budapest noir crime thriller. Readers are invited to join the FT Books Café online book group and subscribe to the Life and Art podcast for more literary discussions.