Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

I am looking forward to reading this book this month. It will be my first John Le Carre book. I am really enjoying taking part in the group reads.

I read The Spy Who Came In from the Cold many years ago, but I am planning to re-read it this month. It is a true classic.

Luke wrote: "I am looking forward to reading this book this month. It will be my first John Le Carre book. I am really enjoying taking part in the group reads."

I've been putting it off for years. It was one of those series I knew was classic but I had never gotten around to investing in. I read the book last month by accident, about the time I joined this group and was beyond pleasantly surprised.

I'm looking towards the Karla trilogy now.

"The Spy Who came in from the Cold" was the first Jean Lecarre book I read. I was in junior high or middle school, as it's called in U.S., and it was literally a random book I picked off my parents' bookshelf. This was in the early 70's and the Cold War was very real to my generation. So as we discuss this story I'm really looking forward to insights of that era from the other side of the Atlantic.

I checked some of the earlier comments and remember when I was scrambling to find a copy, I think of this as a stand alone story. It's more like a novella, Lecarre's novels can be very involved. The story begins and ends, but I don't want to give away any plot until we start discussing the book.
The newest edition says this is a George Smiley novel, I think there is a surprise in store.

Also a suggestion for new George Smiley(character) fans, after you get to know him try "A Murder of Quality". It's a mystery and a very great read.

Also a suggestion for new George Smiley(character) fans, after you get to know him try "A Murder of Quality". It's a mystery and a very great read.

Slow reading lately, I think I need to have eyes examined. Also print small on my copy from my favorite local used book store.
How's the reading coming y'all( I grew up on the south)?
This is my favorite espionage thriller. I've visited Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, after the Wall came down. I can understand the suspense that waiting for someone to come across could generate at the beginning of the book.

Has anybody noticed how Jean Lecarre makes use of not explicitly making plot points? It's what has been left out that has me going back a chapter. Then I go "ah ha!", that's where he was going. I haven't reread this book in 20 years but reading it more carefully, it's very complex and it's from what was left out and what we draw conclusions from the story. I hope this is making sense.

I like the way Le Carre frames his novel with scenes from the Berlin Wall. I also find it interesting that this novel is the antithesis of a James Bond novel.

Absolutely, tension, lots of tension.
These characters are professionals and the approach is academic,detached.

No SPOILER postings until May 26th, then we can get specific with characters and plot points. New people to group this is relatively short novel although I wished it could have gone longer. These situations and characters have such an authenticity.

For those that have read the book, don't you agree this is a stand alone novel?
Spoilers starting in 6 days!

Absolutely, a stand alone novel.

One of the things I liked about this book is it's finality. I've always liked it about this story, I don't know if Leamas knew there was only one way his assignment would end. I think he was so tired of the whole "Circus" he didn't care at the beginning.

I finished this book the other day. I really just didn't enjoy it. It was boring.

I really enjoyed this book. I agree with Kay, the finality of the ending was the perfect and only way to end the book. I think Leamas knew the minute he first stepped into Germany that his chances for getting out weren't good and he was willing to accept his fate.