George Smiley Series in Order by John le Carré

"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Roman (Ein George-Smiley-Roman 5)" is a book written by John le Carré and translated by Peter Torberg. It is part of the George Smiley series, which is a collection of spy novels set during the Cold War. The series portrays British Intelligence agents as unheroic political functionaries, grappling with the moral ambiguity of their work and engaging more in psychological drama than physical action. In "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," George Smiley, a former intelligence officer, loses his position after a failed operation. However, he is brought back for one last mission. The book delves into the world of espionage, betrayal, and the hunt for a mole within British Intelligence. Smiley is tasked with uncovering the identity of the mole, codenamed "Gerald," who has been leaking classified information to the KGB. The plot of the book revolves around Smiley's meticulous investigation, as he navigates a web of deceit and double-crossing to uncover the truth. The story is filled with suspense, intricate plot twists, and complex characters, showcasing le Carré's mastery of the spy genre. Overall, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" is a gripping and intricately woven spy thriller that explores the moral dilemmas and psychological complexities of the intelligence world during the Cold War.

"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" is a spy thriller novel written by John le Carré. It is the first book in a trilogy featuring the character George Smiley, an aging spy. The story is set during the Cold War and follows George Smiley's efforts to uncover a Soviet mole within the British Secret Intelligence Service. The novel delves into the complex world of espionage and features intricate social commentary. It received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of the intelligence community and its relevance at the time, following the defection of Kim Philby. The book has been adapted into television and film, solidifying its status as a staple in the spy fiction genre. With its tightly plotted storyline and masterful exploration of betrayal and espionage, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

"A Legacy of Spies" is a novel written by John le Carré, known for his mastery of the spy fiction genre. It is part of the Smiley series, which includes iconic books such as "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold," "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," and "Smiley's People". In this book, le Carré takes readers back into the world of George Smiley, a legendary spymaster. The story begins when Peter Guillam, one of Smiley's disciples, is brought out of retirement and faces a lawsuit. As Guillam delves into his past, the plot intertwines with that of "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold," exploring themes of betrayal, deception, and the consequences of clandestine relationships. "A Legacy of Spies" is praised for its vintage le Carré style, intricate plot engineering, and the way it closes the circle of the author's long career. It is a breathtaking thriller that showcases le Carré's genius for plotting and his ability to create evocative characters and language that feel more real than reality itself.

"A Murder of Quality" is the second novel in the George Smiley series by John le Carré. Published in 1962, it is a mystery novel set outside the espionage community that features George Smiley, one of le Carré's most famous recurring characters. In this book, George Smiley, who is retired from his spying days, is asked by Mrs. Brimley to help respond to a mysterious letter she has received from a woman who fears for her life. The story takes place in the seemingly peaceful setting of a prestigious British boys' school, where Smiley investigates the brutal murder of a harmless housewife. Through his investigation, Smiley delves into the dark secrets and hidden motives of the characters involved, unraveling a complex web of deceit and betrayal. "A Murder of Quality" showcases le Carré's early writing skills and his ability to reveal character through dialogue and descriptions.

"The Secret Pilgrim" is the eighth book in the George Smiley series by John le Carré. The book is written in the form of a series of reminiscences by a British spy on the verge of his retirement, and is set within the frame narrative of an informal dinner talk given at the spy-training school in Sarratt by George Smiley. As Smiley talks, the first-person narrator, whom readers know only as "Ned", recalls his own experiences in a long career in the service. The various episodes are triggered by comments from Smiley, which send Ned into tangential memories. The individual stories together create a portrait of Ned himself, moving from the start of his career at the beginning of the novel to his retirement in the final chapter. Several of the episodes are recognizable anecdotes or urban legends from the British intelligence community. The themes of the book are Smiley's sense of the moral ambiguity of the Cold War and the futility of all the spying and killing and betraying.

"Smiley's People" is a novel by John le Carré that was published in 1979. It is part of the George Smiley series, which follows the career of a British intelligence agent. In "Smiley's People," George Smiley is called out of retirement to investigate the death of a former Soviet spy, General Vladimir, who had been helping the British. Smiley discovers that Vladimir had been lured to his death by Karla, the head of Soviet intelligence, who is Smiley's longtime nemesis. Smiley sets out to track down Karla and bring him to justice, but he must navigate a complex web of deceit and betrayal to do so. Along the way, he is aided by a cast of characters, including a Russian émigré and a young British agent. The novel is known for its intricate plot and its exploration of the moral ambiguities of the spy game.

"Smiley's People" is a spy novel by John le Carré, published in 1979, and is the third and final novel of the "Karla Trilogy," following "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and "The Honourable Schoolboy". The book features British master-spy George Smiley, who is called out of retirement to investigate the death of one of his old agents, a former Soviet general, who was the head of an Estonian émigré organization based in London. The story takes place during the Cold War and involves espionage, betrayal, and political intrigue. Le Carré portrays all those involved in espionage, on whichever side, as flawed people, and it is their human weaknesses that interest him and keep the narrative moving. The book is a well-written spy thriller that scores highly in both the qualities that people pretend to like in books, such as formal style, psychological portraiture, political intelligence, and moral sensibility, and the qualities that people actually like in books, such as sex, violence, plot twists, and convincing and frequently deployed spy jargon.

John le Carré is a British author known for his espionage novels. Some of his notable works include The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Call for the Dead, A Murder of Quality, The Looking Glass War, and A Small Town in Germany. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a Cold War spy novel that follows Alec Leamas, a British agent who is sent to East Germany as a faux defector to sow disinformation about a powerful East German intelligence officer. Call for the Dead and A Murder of Quality also feature the fictitious British intelligence organization, "The Circus", and its agents George Smiley and Peter Guillam. The Looking Glass War is a spy novel that explores the unglamorous nature of espionage and the danger of nostalgia. It tells the story of an incompetent British intelligence agency known as The Department and its multiple botched attempts to verify a Communist defector's story of a Soviet missile buildup in East Germany. A Small Town in Germany is a political thriller that follows Alan Turner, a Foreign Office employee who is sent to Bonn to investigate the disappearance of a British Embassy officer.

"The Honourable Schoolboy" is the sixth novel in John le Carré's George Smiley series, which is also known as the Karla Trilogy. In this classic spy thriller, George Smiley, a veteran British spy, continues his pursuit of Karla, a Russian intelligence mastermind and Smiley's main nemesis. The story takes place in the wake of a demoralizing mole hunt within the British intelligence agency, known as the Circus. Smiley discovers that Karla has been funding an activity in Hong Kong, which leads him to embark on a mission to uncover the truth. The book delves into the complex world of espionage, with detailed characterizations and vivid imagery. While the plot may initially seem confusing, the second half of the book is filled with enthralling scenes, including gripping action in Khmer Rouge. "The Honourable Schoolboy" sets the stage for the grand conclusion of the Karla Trilogy in the next book, "Smiley's People". Overall, this novel offers a compelling blend of practical espionage and psychological thriller, showcasing John le Carré's masterful storytelling and his ability to create a rich and immersive spy world.

"The Honourable Schoolboy" is the second installment in John le Carré's renowned Karla trilogy and a part of the George Smiley series. It is a spy novel that follows the story of George Smiley, a British SIS Chief, as he uncovers a possible Chinese agent involved in a thriving opium trade between Vientiane, Laos, and Hong Kong. Smiley must outwit his Russian nemesis, Karla, who is a K.G.B. mastermind. The book also introduces the character Jerry Westerby, an occasional operative recruited by Smiley to assist in the investigation. With brilliantly plotted and morally complex storytelling, "The Honourable Schoolboy" showcases le Carré's signature style of labyrinthine plots and morally ambiguous characters. It delves into the world of espionage, highlighting the gritty realities and the high stakes involved. The novel is praised for its authenticity and believability, offering readers a captivating and suspenseful reading experience.

"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" is a 1974 spy novel by John le Carré. The book follows the story of George Smiley, a retired intelligence officer, who is called back to investigate a Soviet mole in the British Secret Intelligence Service. The novel is known for its complex plotting, acute understanding of human nature, and timeless moral dilemmas. The book has been adapted into both a television series and a film and remains a staple of the spy fiction genre. The novel has received critical acclaim for its complex social commentary and relevance, following the defection of Kim Philby. The book is a tale of wartime, and the only valid loyalty is to the State. It is a complex and pleasingly fat novel that contains far more ideas than a two-hour film.

"The Looking Glass War" is a 1965 spy novel by John le Carré and is the fourth book in the George Smiley series. The book explores the unglamorous nature of espionage and the danger of nostalgia. It tells the story of an incompetent British intelligence agency known as The Department and its multiple botched attempts to verify a Communist defector's story of a Soviet missile buildup in East Germany. The book is an explicit satire about a spy operation that was completely futile and pointless, and the failure of which could not be considered a tragedy. The novel highlights the importance of "competence" as a key concept in the thriller genre. The book was written in response to the positive public reaction to le Carré's previous novel, "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold".

"The Spy Who Came In from the Cold" is a novel by Joseph Kanon that takes place in post-World War II Europe. The book is not part of a series. The story follows Alec Leamas, a British spy who is sent to East Germany to sow disinformation about a powerful East German intelligence officer named Hans-Dieter Mundt. Leamas's mission is complicated by his growing relationship with a young woman named Liz Gold, who works for the East German government. As the plot unfolds, Leamas becomes increasingly disillusioned with his work and begins to question the morality of the espionage game. The book is known for its bleak portrayal of the Cold War and its realistic depiction of the world of espionage.

"The Spy Who Came In from the Cold" is a Cold War spy novel written by John le Carré. It is the third novel in the George Smiley series, following "Call for the Dead" and "A Murder of Quality". The book tells the story of Alec Leamas, a British agent who is sent to East Germany as a faux defector to spread disinformation about a powerful East German intelligence officer. What sets this novel apart is its moral presentation, which portrays both the Eastern and Western intelligence services as engaging in the same expedient amorality in the name of national security. Le Carré presents his protagonist, Alec Leamas, as morally burnt-out, highlighting the toll that espionage takes on individuals. The novel received critical acclaim for its skillful construction and writing. Le Carré's narrative point of view is omniscient, a departure from the typical spy novel, and it showcases the author's confidence and mastery of the genre. The book is known for its exciting and complex plot, challenging subtext, and implicit respect for the reader. "The Spy Who Came In from the Cold" is considered a revolutionary espionage novel that realistically portrays the world of intelligence. It has had a tangible influence on the intelligence community, as le Carré's own experiences working for British intelligence shaped his writing career. The novel is a gripping tale that delves into the shadowy dealings of international espionage.

"The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" is a 1963 Cold War spy novel by British author John le Carré. The novel follows Alec Leamas, a British agent, who is sent to East Germany as a faux defector to sow disinformation about a powerful East German intelligence officer. The novel is set during the height of the Cold War and depicts the intelligence services of both the Eastern and Western nations as engaging in the same expedient amorality in the name of national security. The novel is known for its moral presentation and its depiction of espionage as an amoral world where no one considers their actions as good and evil, just as effective or ineffective. The novel is a standalone work and is not part of a series.

"Call for the Dead" is the first novel in the George Smiley series by John le Carré. It was published in 1961 and introduces George Smiley, a recurring character in le Carré's spy novels. The story revolves around East German spies operating within Great Britain. The book combines elements of murder mystery and spy thriller, set against the backdrop of the Cold War. The protagonist, George Smiley, is a tenacious and intelligent intelligence officer who is tasked with unraveling the truth behind the death of Samuel Fennan, an intelligence employee. Initially believed to be a suicide, Smiley discovers that Fennan was actually murdered by an East German spy ring. With the help of a CID man named Mendel and his trusted colleague Peter Guillam, Smiley delves into the world of espionage to uncover the truth. "Call for the Dead" showcases le Carré's signature style of deeply imagined and plausible storytelling, with detailed descriptions of people and procedures. The novel also explores themes of human nature and the complexities of the intelligence world. It sets the stage for the subsequent George Smiley novels, establishing him as a beloved and iconic character in the spy genre.