From the New York Times bestselling author of A Legacy of Spies. John le Carré’s new novel, Agent Running in the Field, is coming October 2019. In this exquisitely told novel, John le Carré shows us once again his acute understanding of the world we live in and where power really lies. In the wake of the collapse of Lehman Brothers and with Britain on the brink of economic ruin, a young English couple takes a vacation in Antigua. There they meet Dima, a Russian who styles himself the world’s Number One money-launderer and who wants, among other things, a game of tennis. Back in London, the couple is subjected to an interrogation by the British Secret service who also need their help. Their acquiescence will lead them on a precarious journey through Paris to a safe house in Switzerland, helpless pawns in a game of nations that reveals the unholy alliances between the Russian mafia, the City of London, the government and the competing factions of the British Secret Service.
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"Even the most grand authors may have a worse day. This is definitely one of the least impressive works of the undisputable king of the spy novels. Which means it is not a masterpiece, but for most of the other authors struggling with this genre, it would be probably peak of their achievements. "
— Wojciech W. (4 out of 5 stars)
“John Le Carré did not invent the spy thriller, but there is no doubt that over the past half century, he has perfected it in ways that his predecessors can only imagine. With this new release, the 79-year-old master spins another gripping tale about international skulduggery.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review“One of our great writers of moral ambiguity, a tireless explorer of that darkly contradictory no-man’s land…Our Kind of Traitor brims with deftly drawn characters navigating a treacherously uncertain landscape that seems ripped from yesterday’s papers and recreated with an absolutely certain hand.”
— Los Angeles Times“Part vintage John le Carré and part Alfred Hitchcock…The suspense in Our Kind of Traitor is genuine and nerve-racking.”
— New York Times“Le Carré ratchets up the tension step-by-step until the sad, inevitable end. His most accessible work in years, this novel shows once again why his name is the one to which all others in the field are compared.”
— Publishers Weekly" Entertaining. Late le Carre is like late Woody Allen. He puts young people in the story, but he doesn't understand young people. "
— Rick, 2/12/2014" I really like LeCarre, but I would appreciate a happy ending once in awhile..... "
— Marianne, 2/5/2014" Le Carre creates great characters. "
— Jack, 1/25/2014" Still as sharp as ever, but I found myself meandering through the midsection of this novel. As a huge fan of le Carre's writing, I still found it enjoyable and timely. "
— Michael, 1/21/2014" Classic le Carre, politically savvy and downcast with engaging characters and not much for women to do. Even thought I saw the twist at the end coming, I was still shocked by the final page. "
— Charlotte, 1/14/2014" Vulture capitalists. The villians of the 21st century, although really they've been around forever. "
— Vickie, 12/19/2013" I enjoyed this but I did not think it was his absolute best. It was also unremittedly pessimistic, which probably took the edge off the enjoyment, hence three stars (it deserves three and a half) "
— Elaine, 11/21/2013" John Le Carre has really adapted to a changing world. Always great with the cold war; just as good with modern stuff. "
— John, 11/7/2013" I didn't like this book at all and did not finish it. Le Carre sets it up as a series of interviews between MI-5 types and a couple who got mixed up with Russian international money launderers. The set up meant that any action was muted, and all the relationships contrived. "
— Helen, 10/23/2013" Listened to the audiobook-- the narrator was great. The book itself is solid LeCarre. Good read. "
— MJ, 9/26/2013" This is not really a thriller. It's more of a book about manners and class. And is far too easy to put down. And has needlessly confusing passages. That said, I do feel like continuing. The characters are interesting. "
— Nicole, 8/6/2013" I really didn't like the ending. It felt forced and completely unnatural. Given the author's stellar record to this point, I really blame the publishers. It felt like they arbitrarily picked an ending point because they felt the book was too long. "
— Okie, 10/19/2012" Not bad, but not great. I had never read one of his books before, so I was looking forward to it. It is very English. Some of the intrigue within the Foreign Service office is a little played out, and in the end it's a bit like a 306-page shaggy dog story. "
— Kevin, 7/8/2012" Back on great form - but I was disappointed with then ending. "
— Ian, 4/24/2012" Ok spy book. As with most le Carre books I've read I find them a little slow and they tend to end poorly. But for reading on a plane or holiday they're well worth it. "
— Andres, 3/30/2012" How does Le Carre do it? His latest as thrilling as his earliest. None quite match the psychological studies of A Perfect Spy and The Honourable Schoolboy. But this is as much a page-turner as any thriller, even though so little happens! Brilliant writing. "
— Derek, 2/25/2012" Kept waiting for a conclusion that never arrived. "
— Mom, 2/14/2012" Wonderful, vintage spy novel. Le Carre at his best. "
— Meg, 1/3/2012" Good reader, Russian names a little difficult, but good. But then I'm a LeCarre fan. "
— Margaret, 8/18/2011" Once upon a time his books were good. Now they are slow. He seems to be searching for a new formula in this world without Russian spies. "
— Robert, 8/8/2011" This writer has a great following and reputation. But as I read about the stories recap I just have a hard time recalling all the details or the excitement that I get with other books. So your call on this one. "
— Frank, 5/28/2011" Delicious. Sparse of word / expansive in description. Just enough for our imaginations to fill in the blanks. This is Le Carre as he is currently; simple meeting, throw in the innocents, spice 'em up with some training, shake things up "
— John, 4/14/2011" I gave up on this half-way through. Compelling characterizations, but I found the plot tedious. The implicit critique of the fascination with spy culture (Perry and Gail get mixed up in a Russian mob sting) seems mean-spirited. "
— Valerie, 12/27/2010John le Carré, the pseudonym of David John Moore Cornwell (1931–2020), was an English author of espionage novels. Eight of his novels made the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list between 1983 and 2017. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, his third book, secured him a worldwide reputation as one of the greatest spy novelists in history. Numerous major motion pictures have been made from his novels, as well as several television series. After attending the universities at Berne and Oxford, he taught at Eton and spent five years in the British Foreign Service, serving briefly in British Intelligence during the Cold War. Being a member of MI6 when he wrote his first novel, Call for the Dead in 1961 in Hamburg, it necessitated the use of a nom de plume, by which he continued to be known. His writing earned him several honorary doctorate degrees and the Somerset Maugham Award, the Goethe Medal, and the Olof Palme Prize.
Judy Young is a voice talent and audiobook narrator.