A gripping new novel set in the universe of John le Carré's most iconic spy, George Smiley, written by acclaimed novelist Nick Harkaway
Set in the missing decade between two iconic instalments in the George Smiley saga, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Nick Harkaway's Karla's Choice is an extraordinary, thrilling return to the world of spy fiction's greatest writer, John le Carré.
It is spring in 1963 and George Smiley has left the Circus. With the wreckage of the West's spy war with the Soviets strewn across Europe, he has eyes only on a more peaceful life. And indeed, with his marriage more secure than ever, there is a rumour in Whitehall - unconfirmed and a little scandalous - that George Smiley might almost be happy.
But Control has other plans. A Russian agent has defected in the most unusual of circumstances, and the man he was sent to kill in London is nowhere to be found. Smiley reluctantly agrees to one last simple task: interview Susanna, a Hungarian émigré and employee of the missing man, and sniff out a lead. But in his absence the shadows of Moscow have lengthened. Smiley will soon find himself entangled in a perilous mystery that will define the battles to come, and strike at the heart of his greatest enemy?
'The Smiley novels are key to understanding the 20th century' Margaret Atwood
'Smiley is John le Carré's finest creation, one of the great characters of twentieth-century literature' The Telegraph
'The last English gentlemen, Smiley is the finest secret agent in the world' New York Times
DISCOVER THE MOST-TALKED ABOUT THRILLER OF THE YEAR . . .
'Reads like a lost le Carrè. Smiley is back at the Circus in the safest of hands' RICHARD OSMAN
'Karla's Choice is a note-perfect tribute to le Carré that feels fresh and new' MICK HERRON
'Le Carre's legacy is in good hands - Smiley is back with a vengeance!' IAN RANKIN
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It is spring in 1963 and George Smiley has left the Circus.
With the wreckage of the West's spy war with the Soviets strewn across Europe, he has eyes only on a more peaceful life. And indeed, with his marriage more secure than ever, there is a rumour in Whitehall - unconfirmed and a little scandalous - that George Smiley might almost be happy.
But Control has other plans. A Russian agent has defected in the most unusual of circumstances, and the man he was sent to kill in London is nowhere to be found. Smiley reluctantly agrees to one last simple task: interview Susanna, a Hungarian émigré and employee of the missing man, and sniff out a lead.
But in his absence the shadows of Moscow have lengthened. Smiley will soon find himself entangled in a perilous mystery that will define the battles to come, and strike at the heart of his greatest enemy...
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Set in the missing decade between two iconic novels starring George Smiley, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, this is an extraordinary, thrilling return to the world of spymaster John le Carré, written by the author's son and acclaimed novelist, Nick Harkaway.
'An exceptional espionage novel in its own right' WILLIAM BOYD
'Harkaway has done an extraordinarily good job with his father's legacy' TELEGRAPH
'An accomplished homage and a captivating thriller' THE ECONOMIST