David McCloskey, a former CIA analyst, has released his latest thriller, London Station, drawing on his extensive experience in the field of espionage. Ahead of its publication, he shared his insights on five standout spy novels that have influenced him significantly, reports BritPanorama.
Among these, McCloskey highlights Tears of Autumn by Charles McCarry, describing the author as the American counterpart to John Le Carré. The novel presents a conspiracy surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy, suggesting an intricate plot involving the South Vietnamese and Cuban operatives as vengeance for U.S. involvement in the coup against President Ngo Dinh Diem. McCarry’s protagonist, Paul Christopher, embarks on a globe-trotting journey to unravel this complex web.
Tears of autumn by Charles McCarry
“Charles McCarry is the American answer to John Le Carré – a former CIA officer who writes stories of literary and emotional consequence that just happen to feature spies. Tears of Autumn is a delightful conspiracy with this compelling proposition: what if the Kennedy assassination was a hit by the South Vietnamese – with some Cubans and mafiosi smattered about – conducted as vengeance for Washington’s role in a coup that brought down President Ngo Dinh Diem?”
“McCarry’s globe-trotting protagonist Paul Christopher tries to sort it all out. British readers, I believe, will not be disappointed.”
Duckworth Books, £8.99
Casino royale by Ian Fleming
Next, McCloskey discusses Casino Royale by Ian Fleming, noting the importance of the iconic character James Bond. In this novel, Bond endeavors to bankrupt the villain Le Chiffre, a member of Soviet intelligence. McCloskey argues that Fleming’s writing delves deeper than the films portray, combining elements of espionage with a flair for food and drink.
“Fleming’s novels are far more nuanced than the films, and he writes with equal panache about spies as he does about food and drink. Casino Royale is good espionage fun. It’s also a good excuse to pour a martini.”
Vintage Classics, £9.99
Red sparrow by Jason Matthews
McCloskey cites Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews, a work that incorporates accurate tradecraft, showcasing the dynamics between CIA operative Nate Nash and Russian asset Dominika Egorova. Matthews, a veteran of the CIA, intertwines espionage with narrative flair, providing insights into denied area operations.
“Spy novels don’t need to get the tradecraft and the lingo right to be worthwhile, but it sure is sweet when they do. Jason Matthews, a 33-year veteran of CIA, absolutely nails the sublime tradecraft of denied area operations.”
“Therein readers will get the skinny on topics as varied and esoteric as SDRs, SRACs, and NIACT cables. Oh, and there are recipes at the end of each chapter, and the sex is wild, and sometimes features Vladimir Putin (and, fair warning, is therefore sometimes disturbing). Buckle up.”
Simon & Schuster, £10.99
Agents of innocence by David Ignatius
Further, Agents of Innocence by David Ignatius has been described as essential reading for understanding espionage, based on real CIA operations in Lebanon during the 1980s. This novel details the recruitment of a spy within the Palestine Liberation Organisation, highlighting the intricacies of the spy trade.
“Featuring on an internal CIA list of ‘novels one should read to understand how this place works’, rumour has it that longtime Washington Post reporter David Ignatius got the bones of this story from the actual CIA officers involved in a similar operation in Lebanon in the 80s.”
“The result is a jaw-dropping novel about the recruitment of a spy deep inside the ranks of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.”
Quercus, £10.99
The quiet American by Graham Greene
Lastly, McCloskey mentions The Quiet American by Graham Greene, published in 1955, which anticipates the complexities of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The narrative revolves around Alden Pyle, a Harvard graduate with intentions to support the Vietnamese, yet lacking insight into the region’s dynamics.
“Graham Greene was a masterful novelist and prose stylist who sometimes happened to write about spies (he called such diversions from more supposedly serious fiction ‘entertainments’).”
“Published in 1955, the novel explores the beginnings of the French collapse in Vietnam and, quite spookily, predicts that a greater dose of American intervention will not go so well.”
Vintage Classics, £9.99
‘London Station’ is published by Swift Press, £20
