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Night Soldiers - Night Soldiers by Alan Furst
Night Soldiers
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Book 1 in the series:Night Soldiers

Night Soldiers by Alan Furst follows the journey of Khristo Stoianev, a young Bulgarian who is recruited into the NKVD Soviet secret intelligence service after his brother is killed by local fascists. The story spans from 1934 to 1945, covering Khristo's training, operations in the Spanish Civil War, escape to France, and involvement in guerrilla operations with the French underground. Furst's writing style is described as atmospheric, with detailed geographical research and well-developed characters that bring the historical setting to life.

If you liked Night Soldiers, here are the top 100 books to read next:

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Showing 1 - 10 of 100 
  1. #1

    Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett
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    Set during World War II, 'Eye of the Needle' by Ken Follett is a thrilling spy novel that follows the story of a German spy known as 'The Needle' who holds crucial information that could change the course of the war. As British Military Intelligence races to stop him from reaching Hitler with the information, the suspense builds up relentlessly to a thrilling climax. The novel expertly blends historical events surrounding the lead-up to D-Day with a gripping spy narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

    Follett's writing style in 'Eye of the Needle' is described as fast-paced, suspenseful, and full of action and adventure. The characters are starkly drawn, the intensity is palpable, and the plot keeps readers engaged with its twists and turns. The author successfully creates a sense of realism and intrigue, providing insight into the life and times during World War II while delivering a compelling spy mystery that captures the imagination of readers.

    IT WAS THE COLDEST WINTER FOR FORTY-FIVE YEARS. Villages in the English countryside were cut off by the snow and the Thames froze over. One day in January the Glasgow-London train arrived at Euston tw...

  2. #2

    The Key to Rebecca by Ken Follett
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    In "The Key to Rebecca" by Ken Follett, the story is set in Cairo during World War II, where a German spy named Alex Wolff is on a mission to steal British military plans to aid Field Marshall Rommel's invasion of Egypt. The protagonist, Major William Vandam, is a British intelligence officer dedicated to catching Wolff. The cat-and-mouse game between the spy and the intelligence officer unfolds against the backdrop of the war in Africa, with themes of espionage, romance, and betrayal intertwining in the plot. The writing style is described as tightly written with good characterization, capturing the essence of big cities in the Near East, and keeping the reader riveted till the end.

    It was the five-year-old white bull he had bought in Gialo, the youngest and strongest of the three beasts, and the least ill-tempered: he liked the animal as much as a man could like a camel, which i...

  3. #3
    Berlin Game
    Book 1 in the series:Bernard Samson

    Berlin Game - Bernard Samson by Len Deighton
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    'Berlin Game' by Len Deighton is a spy thriller set during the Cold War era, focusing on the character Bernard Samson, a British spy working for MI6. The plot revolves around the discovery of a leak in MI6 that endangers field agents and valuable spies in East Berlin. As Samson is reluctantly pulled into the crisis, he races against time to identify the traitor among his colleagues. The writing style is described as precise, with Chandleresque descriptions and a tight, focused narrative that keeps the story moving at a nice pace.

    'Nearly a quarter of a century,' said Werner Volkmann. His arms were resting on the steering wheel and his head was slumped on them. That GI wasn't even born when we first sat here waiting for the dog...

  4. #4

    The Company by Robert Littell
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    The Company by Robert Littell is a multigenerational saga following a family of CIA operatives from the origins of the CIA through the Cold War era. The novel weaves a fine tapestry of historic and fictional characters who participated in real-life events, providing a behind-the-scenes look at major historical events such as the Hungarian Insurrection, the Bay of Pigs fiasco, and the attempted coup to overthrow Gorbachev. Littell's writing style is described as dense and expertly plotted, managing to keep the reader engaged with the intricacies of espionage and political intrigue.

    THE hunter's moon so rapidly it looked as if a motion picture had been speeded up. On a deserted avenue near a long wall, a dirty yellow Fiat mini-taxi cut its lights and its motor and coasted to the ...

  5. #5

    Transcription by Kate Atkinson
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    In "Transcription" by Kate Atkinson, the story follows Juliet Armstrong, a young woman recruited by MI5 during World War II to transcribe conversations of Nazi sympathizers. The narrative jumps through different time periods, mainly 1940, 1950, and 1981, exploring Juliet's involvement with espionage and the repercussions of her actions post-war. The writing style is described as sharp and engaging, with a complex yet easy-to-follow structure that delves into themes of identity, loyalty, and the roles of women during wartime.

    She could, although she didn’t seem able to respond. She was badly damaged. Broken. She had been hit by a car. It might have been her own fault, she had been distracted—she had lived for so long abroa...

  6. #6
    The Ipcress File
    Book 1 in the series:Harry Palmer

    The Ipcress File - Harry Palmer by Len Deighton
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    'The Ipcress File' by Len Deighton is a gritty spy novel set in the Cold War era, following an unnamed working-class spy who is tasked with unraveling a dark conspiracy involving the kidnapping of scientists and suspicions of espionage. The protagonist, in contrast to the suave James Bond, is relatable and flawed, navigating through a world of bureaucratic incompetence and moral ambiguity. Deighton's writing style is characterized by humor, sarcasm, and a first-person narrative that enhances the reader's engagement with the story.

    I don’t care what you say, 18,000 pounds (sterling) is a lot of money. The British Government had instructed me to pay it to the man at the corner table who was now using knife and fork to commit ritu...

  7. #7
    Quiller
    by: 
    Book 1 in the series:Quiller

    Quiller - Quiller by Adam Hall
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    'Quiller' in the series 'Quiller' by author Adam Hall is a spy thriller set in Berlin during the Cold War, following the protagonist Quiller, a British secret agent, as he navigates a world of double-crosses, Nazi hunting, and espionage. The narrative delves deep into Quiller's inner thoughts and thought processes, providing a unique perspective on the events unfolding in the story. The plot is described as standard for spy novels, with a focus on the mental state of the super agent, rather than physical attributes or appearance.


  8. #8

    Restless by William Boyd
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    'Restless' by William Boyd is a gripping spy thriller that unravels the story of a young woman, Ruth, who discovers that her seemingly plain mother was actually a spy during World War II. The narrative alternates between Ruth's present-day life in the 1970s and her mother's past as a British spy, Eva Delectorskaya. As Ruth delves into her mother's past through letters and memoirs, she uncovers a world of espionage, betrayal, and danger that she never knew existed, leading to a thrilling and suspenseful journey of self-discovery and intrigue.

    The book is praised for its fast-paced storytelling, engaging plot that seamlessly weaves between different time periods, and the complex characters of Eva and Ruth. Through Boyd's narrative style, readers are drawn into the world of espionage, historical events, and personal relationships, creating a compelling and immersive reading experience that keeps them on the edge of their seats until the very end.

    When I was a child and was being fractious and contrary and generally behaving badly, my mother used to rebuke me by saying: ‘One day someone will come and kill me and then you’ll be sorry’; or, ‘They...

  9. #9

    A Perfect Spy by John le Carré
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    A Perfect Spy by John le Carre is a complex and introspective novel that delves into the life of Magnus Pym, a double spy, as he navigates his personal and professional struggles. The book intertwines elements of espionage, coming-of-age, and autobiography, offering a deep insight into the life of a spy and the psyche of the protagonist. The narrative spans over generations, exploring Pym's relationships, betrayals, and the impact of his father's shadow on his life.

    The writing style of A Perfect Spy is described as intricate and thoughtful, with a nonlinear structure that immerses readers into the minds of the characters. John le Carre masterfully crafts a story that is more of a character study than a traditional thriller, highlighting the complexities of human nature and the moral dilemmas faced by spies. The novel is praised for its depth, well-developed characters, and the way it breaks away from the conventional spy genre to offer a more realistic and poignant narrative.

    In the small hours of a blustery October morning in a south Devon coastal town that seemed to have been deserted by its inhabitants, Magnus Pym got out of his elderly country taxicab and, having paid ...

  10. #10

    The Human Factor by Graham Greene
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    The Human Factor by Graham Greene is a spy novel that delves into the world of espionage without the conventional violence, presenting the British Secret Service as a mundane profession rather than a glamorous one. The plot revolves around Maurice Castle, a middle-aged intelligence officer, who becomes a double agent in order to stay with his black South African wife, Sarah. The story explores themes of loyalty, love, race, apartheid, and the moral ambiguity that haunts individuals involved in espionage.

    The writing style of The Human Factor focuses more on character development and personal struggles rather than action-packed sequences. Greene's craftsmanship shines through in creating a carefully balanced cast of characters and rich contrasts in their decisions regarding marriage, friendship, professional integrity, and basic morality. The novel offers a deep insight into human psychology and emotion, presenting a complex narrative that navigates the personal and professional lives of the characters amidst international tension and espionage.

    Castle, ever since he had joined the firm as a young recruit more than thirty years ago, had taken his lunch in a public house behind St James’s Street, not far from the office. If he had been asked w...

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