The Sword and Laser discussion

Hey everybody.

I've been searching recently for interesting Spy-fi novels (that is, science fiction novels involving espionage or spies).

I vaguely remember stumbling upon a book that fit the bill, but I can't remember the title! It was sort of a comedy, on the cover the main character was being drowned, and I think the author's name was towards the end of the alphabet...OK I know I'm being really vague, but any clues you guys have would be great.

Or are there other books that might fit the spy-fi bill?

Thanks!

By some miracle I found the book I was looking for!

Still would love recommendations from the community. Anybody read any good spy-fi?

I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for, but The City & The City by China Mieville hits many espionage tropes. Ultimately it is more detective scifi, but a really good and interesting read.

Peter F. Hamilton's Void trilogy (conclusion comes out in August) has an agent who doesn't know who he his. Half the books though have this pseudo-fantasy bent. But that's over with at the end of the 2nd book.

I'm reading Kraken by China Miéville right now and it reminds me a lot of Charles Stross' Laundry stories. Have your read The Atrocity Archives yet? It's the first Laundry novel.

Actually, none of these are science fiction, they're pure fantasy and very Lovecraftian.

Iron Sunrise has some espionage parts to it. Earthlight is an old Arthur C. Clarke one.

Consider Phlebas, which has been mentioned in several threads here, has a shape-shifting spy as its protagonist.

No one has mentioned Simon R Greens "Secret History" series yet, starring the supernatural field agent Bond, Shaman Bond ?

http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Torc-Sec...

Basically, think James Bond with magic instead of technology. Except that there still is technology. It's just a little bit more mixed.

Very witty, very funny, a good read.

Im reading 1st green secret history book now, it's decent. Halfway thru Atrocity Archives prequel to jennifer really cool Copeland meets Lovecraft, not really noticing the Bond influence others mention.
Try Peter F Hamilton's stuff, specifically a trilogy about character called Greg Mandel, first one is Mindstar Rising, cyborg physic spy, really good. Check out Fallen Dragon too, great insurrection stuff