Books matching: comedy in espionage
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- #1
Save:The Dark Frontier by Eric Ambler is a satirical take on the gentleman adventurer secret agent genre, where a mild-mannered and hypercautious physics professor experiences a nervous breakdown while reading a thriller. He awakens in the character of the hero and embarks on a mission to the Balkans to save the world from a superweapon, overthrow an authoritarian government, and even falls in love with a beautiful aristocrat, all without a plan, resources, or support. The book's writing style is described as staccato, resembling a station bookstall thriller of the time, with a narrative that alternates between the protagonist's point of view and that of an American newspaperman recruited by the protagonist.
The plot of The Dark Frontier unfolds as the protagonist comically misinterprets all evidence that he is not a superhuman secret agent, bumbling his way through his imagined mission. The book is noted for its meta nature, where the protagonist initially reads a contemporary thriller about a superspy before becoming embroiled in his own adventure. Eric Ambler's first novel is seen as a parody of the spy genre, with elements of zaniness and humor that foreshadow his later works, such as 'A Coffin for Dimitrios'.
- #2
Save:'Our Man in Havana' by Graham Greene is a humorous and satirical novel set in pre-revolutionary Havana. The story follows Jim Wormold, a British vacuum cleaner salesman who is recruited by the British Secret Service to become a spy. Lacking experience in espionage, Wormold fabricates intelligence reports and creates a network of fictional agents to supplement his income. As his imaginative stories are taken seriously by both his superiors in London and rival intelligence agencies, the situation spirals out of control with real-life consequences. Greene's writing style blends wit, absurdity, and dark humor to create a compelling narrative that explores themes of deception, espionage, and unintended consequences.
‘THAT NIGGER GOING down the street,’ said Dr Hasselbacher standing in the Wonder Bar, ‘he reminds me of you, Mr Wormold.’ It was typical of Dr Hasselbacher that after fifteen years of friendship he st... - #3
Save:Casino Royale is the first book in the James Bond series by Ian Fleming, published in 1953. The story follows James Bond on a mission to defeat the communist Le Chiffre at a high-stakes Baccarat game. The book introduces Bond as a flawed and dark character, different from his portrayal in the movies, with a dangerous quality under a veneer of smooth civility. The plot unfolds in a casino setting, with elements of espionage, double agents, and ruthless villains, all set against the backdrop of the Cold War era.
THE SCENT and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. Then the soul-erosion produced by high gambling – a compost of greed and fear and nervous tension – becomes unbearable... - #4
Save:The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross is a blend of high-tech espionage, Lovecraftian horrors, and bureaucratic satire. The story follows Bob Howard, a civil servant operative working for a secret British government agency known as The Laundry, dedicated to protecting the world from supernatural threats using mathematics and computer science. The book features a mix of horror, humor, and spy thriller elements, with a dash of wry humor and a dollop of horror, making it a compelling and entertaining read for fans of geeky, tech-heavy narratives.
“THE ATROCITY ARCHIVE” IS A SCIENCE FICTION novel. Its form is that of a horror thriller with lots of laughs, some of them uneasy. Its basic premise is that mathematics can be magic. Its lesser premis... - #5
Save:"The Gun Seller" by Hugh Laurie is a spy thriller spoof that follows the adventures of Thomas Lang, a detective who gets entangled in a high-stakes game of intrigue. The book is known for its witty and dry humor, reminiscent of Laurie's performances as Dr. Gregory House, and it combines elements of humor, suspense, and fast-paced action. Set in various locations, from London to Morocco, the story unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers engaged with its entertaining and light-hearted narrative style.
The writing style of "The Gun Seller" is often described as clever, witty, and humorous, with a tone that is both articulate and verbose. The main character, Thomas Lang, is portrayed as a likable and amusing protagonist, offering sarcastic takes on the world around him. The book is praised for its ability to blend elements of spy thriller and comedy, creating a unique and enjoyable reading experience that appeals to fans of the genre and those looking for a light summer read.
Now, my question goes like this: do you break the arm quickly - snap, whoops, sorry, here let me help you with that improvised splint - or do you drag the whole business out for a good eight minutes, ... - #6
Save:Readers highly praise 'Eleventh Hour' by Elin Gregory for its captivating plot set in the 1920s and 1930s, revolving around espionage and historical spies. The book follows two male secret agents who work for intelligence services, going undercover as a married couple to uncover dangerous enemies. The writing style is described as action-packed, with elements of mystery, suspense, and close proximity between characters that keep readers engaged. Overall, the book is recommended for those looking for a historical spy novel with a side of m m romance.
Briers Allerdale paid off the cabbie with a half crown and a smile. "Keep the change," he said. As he turned towards his destination, the man's grunted thanks faded into the clip-clop, rumble and grow... - #7
Save:'Waypoint Kangaroo' by Curtis C. Chen follows the adventures of Kangaroo, a spy on a forced vacation who finds himself entangled in a mysterious and chaotic situation. The book combines elements of espionage, mystery, humor, and science fiction fantasy, creating a narrative filled with high-tech gadgets, nefarious characters, and unexpected plot twists. Chen's writing style keeps the story engaging and fast-paced, with a protagonist who is both relatable and endearing, making this novel a unique and entertaining read for fans of speculative fiction.
Kangaroo's journey in 'Waypoint Kangaroo' is a blend of action-packed sequences, witty dialogue, and a touch of romance that feels believable and adds depth to the character development. The book explores themes of self-discovery, identity, and the challenges of balancing a spy's life with personal struggles, all while maintaining a lighthearted and humorous tone throughout the narrative.
My left eye doesn’t lie. The scanning implants and heads-up display can only show me what’s really there, and right now they’re showing me a border guard carrying too many weapons. Standard-issue assa... - #8
Save:'The Martian' by Andy Weir is a thrilling science fiction novel that follows the story of astronaut Mark Watney, who is mistakenly left behind on Mars after his crew believes he is dead. The plot revolves around Watney's incredible survival journey as he uses his ingenuity, humor, and scientific knowledge to overcome challenges, from building a potato farm to contacting NASA for a rescue mission. The writing style is engaging, filled with details and technical know-how that immerse the reader into the world of space exploration without being too tedious, making the character of Watney well-fleshed out and likable.
For the record…I didn’t die on Sol 6. Certainly the rest of the crew thought I did, and I can’t blame them. Maybe there’ll be a day of national mourning for me, and my Wikipedia page will say, “Mark W... - #9
Save:'Spotless' by Camilla Monk is an action romance novel that follows the story of Island, an IT engineer, who gets entangled in a globe-trotting adventure with March, an OCD hitman searching for a stolen diamond believed to be in Island's possession. As the plot unfolds, Island discovers shocking truths about her past while navigating dangerous situations with March, a quirky and dangerous professional with his own code of honor. The story is filled with witty dialogue, inventive twists, and a blend of humor and action that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
The writing style of 'Spotless' is described as smart, funny, sarcastic, and romantic, with nuanced characters, exotic locales, and flawed main characters that add depth to the fast-paced romantic suspense story. The book cleverly parodies romance novel tropes at the beginning of each chapter, adding a unique and creative twist to the narrative that sets it apart from traditional romance novels.
It wasn’t long before I entered our old building on West Eighty-First Street. I liked that place: the paint in the hallway was chipping something awful, but I’ve always had a thing for early prewar, a... - #10
Save:Ready Player One is a futuristic novel set in 2044 where humanity escapes the grim reality by immersing themselves in the virtual universe of OASIS. The story follows Wade Watts, a poor kid from Oklahoma, as he embarks on a quest to solve a series of challenges and riddles within the game to inherit the fortune left by the creator of OASIS. Filled with 1980s pop culture references, gaming elements, and a fast-paced plot, the book explores themes of nostalgia, virtual reality, and the value of human connections in a technology-driven world.
The writing style of Ready Player One is described as engaging, enjoyable, and straightforward. The author, Ernest Cline, is praised for his ability to create a conceivable future world without overly complicating the technology involved. The book is noted for its nostalgic tone, well-developed characters, and its cinematic quality that makes it a page-turner for readers of all backgrounds.
Gunfire wasn’t uncommon in the stacks, but it still shook me up. I knew I probably wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep, so I decided to kill the remaining hours until dawn by brushing up on a few coi...
