Favorite Spy Authors?

mcrow · 12-23-2013, 10:39 AM

I've been a big fan of Spy/Espionage novels for quite a while now so I was just curious as to some of th authors you like. I've read quite a few of the classics but any others you like, particularly newer authors?

Here are some of the authors I've read:
Ted Bell

Tom Clancy

Ian Fleming

Vince Flynn

Ken Follet

Frederick Forsyth

Alan Furst

James Grady

John Le Carre

Daniel Silva

Brad Thor

HarryT · 12-23-2013, 10:41 AM

Le Carré is "the master", to my mind. Nobody else comes close.

mcrow · 12-23-2013, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Le Carré is "the master", to my mind. Nobody else comes close.

Agreed, but any others that you have enjoyed?

HarryT · 12-23-2013, 10:53 AM

Len Deighton's another good author. He's written some excellent spy novels (eg he wrote "The IPCRESS File", which was made into a film starring Michael Caine). Deighton is a man of many talents: as well as being a novelist, he's a noted military historian, graphic artist, and author of cookery books.

Synamon · 12-23-2013, 11:09 AM

Robert Ludlum is a classic writer not in your list.

Mick Herron is a current writer who spoofs the spy genre since cold war spies are out of fashion in the modern era, Slow Horses and a followup are very entertaining.

mcrow · 12-23-2013, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synamon

Robert Ludlum is a classic writer not in your list.

Mick Herron is a current writer who spoofs the spy genre since cold war spies are out of fashion in the modern era, Slow Horses and a followup are very entertaining.

Yeah, forgot Ludlim for some reason. Yes, his great.

Mike L · 12-23-2013, 12:04 PM

At the top of my list in this category is Eric Ambler. He wrote some superb espionage stories, including Epitaph for a Spy, Journey Into Fear, and many others.

Mike

Penforhire · 12-23-2013, 12:07 PM

Ludlum, Le Carre, and Forsythe are probably my eternal favorites.

David Baldacci isn't bad, at least on par with Brad Thor. I'd add some of the books of Eric Van Lustbader, when he isn't leaning toward mysticism.

I also need to plug one of my more recent favored spy/horror mash-up authors, Jonathan Maberry (his Joe Ledger series).

mcrow · 12-23-2013, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penforhire

Ludlum, Le Carre, and Forsythe are probably my eternal favorites.

David Baldacci isn't bad, at least on par with Brad Thor. I'd add some of the books of Eric Van Lustbader, when he isn't leaning toward mysticism.

I also need to plug one of my more recent favored spy/horror mash-up authors, Jonathan Maberry (his Joe Ledger series).

I have read one of Van Lustbader's "Bourne" novels and was pleasently surprised with it but have not read any of his original novels.

Pablo · 12-23-2013, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike L

At the top of my list in this category is Eric Ambler. He wrote some superb espionage stories, including Epitaph for a Spy, Journey Into Fear, and many others.

Mike

Ambler is one of my favourite authors, too. I specially liked (and often go back to) The Intercom Conspiracy.

Catlady · 12-23-2013, 06:44 PM

How about Helen MacInnes? I noticed that her books have now become available as e-books.

fekhner · 12-23-2013, 07:49 PM

John Le Carre and Len Deighton of course, but I also enjoyed Martin Cruz Smith's Arkady Renko series, even though maybe not spy novels strictly speaking.

Kumabjorn · 12-23-2013, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Len Deighton's another good author. He's written some excellent spy novels (eg he wrote "The IPCRESS File", which was made into a film starring Michael Caine). Deighton is a man of many talents: as well as being a novelist, he's a noted military historian, graphic artist, and author of cookery books.

Deighton is only available in the UK store, I guess his American Publisher isn't a fan of e-books.

GA Russell · 12-24-2013, 05:10 PM

I vote for Adam Hall's Quiller series.

Apache · 12-24-2013, 06:43 PM

I always enjoyed the Matt Helm series by Donald Hamilton.
Apache

12-23-2013, 10:39 AM	#1
mcrow Zealot Posts: 145 Karma: 1486256 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kindle 4/Kindle Fire HD/Kindle Fire HDX 7"	Favorite Spy Authors? I've been a big fan of Spy/Espionage novels for quite a while now so I was just curious as to some of th authors you like. I've read quite a few of the classics but any others you like, particularly newer authors? Here are some of the authors I've read: Ted Bell Tom Clancy Ian Fleming Vince Flynn Ken Follet Frederick Forsyth Alan Furst James Grady John Le Carre Daniel Silva Brad Thor Last edited by mcrow; 12-23-2013 at 10:47 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Who's your favorite author/authors?	hard-boiled pat	Reading Recommendations	59	02-22-2012 09:55 PM
My favorite authors make more from me now	ebusinesstutor	General Discussions	17	04-13-2011 07:54 PM
Keeping Track of your favorite authors	jbcohen	Reading Recommendations	8	10-29-2010 01:03 AM
Your Favorite Indie Authors and Books?	jamesread	General Discussions	7	09-27-2010 03:11 AM
Favorite authors of American presidents and candidates	vivaldirules	Lounge	10	11-04-2008 11:13 AM

12-23-2013, 10:41 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Le Carré is "the master", to my mind. Nobody else comes close.

12-23-2013, 10:53 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Len Deighton's another good author. He's written some excellent spy novels (eg he wrote "The IPCRESS File", which was made into a film starring Michael Caine). Deighton is a man of many talents: as well as being a novelist, he's a noted military historian, graphic artist, and author of cookery books.

12-23-2013, 11:09 AM	#5
Synamon Lunatic Posts: 1,691 Karma: 4386372 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Land of the Loonie Device: Kindle Paperwhite and Keyboard, Kobo Aura, iPad mini, iPod Touch	Robert Ludlum is a classic writer not in your list. Mick Herron is a current writer who spoofs the spy genre since cold war spies are out of fashion in the modern era, Slow Horses and a followup are very entertaining.

12-23-2013, 12:04 PM	#7
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	At the top of my list in this category is Eric Ambler. He wrote some superb espionage stories, including Epitaph for a Spy, Journey Into Fear, and many others. Mike

12-23-2013, 12:07 PM	#8
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	Ludlum, Le Carre, and Forsythe are probably my eternal favorites. David Baldacci isn't bad, at least on par with Brad Thor. I'd add some of the books of Eric Van Lustbader, when he isn't leaning toward mysticism. I also need to plug one of my more recent favored spy/horror mash-up authors, Jonathan Maberry (his Joe Ledger series).

12-23-2013, 06:44 PM	#11
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,345 Karma: 52398889 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	How about Helen MacInnes? I noticed that her books have now become available as e-books.

12-23-2013, 07:49 PM	#12
fekhner Addict Posts: 326 Karma: 6908 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: DRs, EE, ipad/iphone, Helix	John Le Carre and Len Deighton of course, but I also enjoyed Martin Cruz Smith's Arkady Renko series, even though maybe not spy novels strictly speaking.

12-24-2013, 05:10 PM	#14
GA Russell Montreal wins Grey Cup! Posts: 7,583 Karma: 31484197 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	I vote for Adam Hall's Quiller series.

12-24-2013, 06:43 PM	#15
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,137 Karma: 89858112 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	I always enjoyed the Matt Helm series by Donald Hamilton. Apache