Synopses & Reviews
A bloody and apparently senseless murder had been committed at Carne School, one of the oldest and most glittering ornaments in the British public school system. George Smiley, whose connections with Carne were complicated by sentiment, had had a curious forewarning of the crime and, in a private capacity, pursued its investigation. Without his espionage-trained insight into the workings of the human mind, Smiley might never have solved the case. But logic and insight were hardly enough to spare him the emotional aftermath of a conclusion he did not want to face.
Review
"To honor [their] 45th anniversary, Walker is reissuing [the] first two George Smiley mysteries in affordable hardcovers. Grab 'em." Library Journal
Review
"Beautifully intelligent, satiric and witty." The Observer (London)
Review
"Vastly entertaining." Sunday Telegraph (London)
Synopsis
A bloody and apparently senseless murder had been committed at Carne School, one of the oldest and most glittering ornaments in the British public school system. George Smiley, whose connections with Carne were complicated by sentiment, had had a curious forewarning of the crime and, in a private capacity, pursued its investigation. Without his espionage-trained insight into the workings of the human mind, Smiley might never have solved the case. But logic and insight were hardly enough to spare him the emotional aftermath of a conclusion he did not want to face.
Synopsis
John le Carré's classic novels deftly navigate readers through the intricate shadow worlds of international esionage with unsurpassed skill and knowledge, and have earned him and his hero, British secret Service Agent George Smiley unprecedented worldwide acclaim.
George Smiley was simply doing a favor for Miss Ailsa Brimley, and old friend and editor of a small newspaper. Miss Brimley had received a letter from a worried reader: "I'm not mad. And I know my husband is trying to kill me." But the letter had arrived too late: its scribe, the wife of an assistant master at the distinguished Carne School, was already dead.
So George Smiley went to Carne to listen, ask questions, and think. And to uncover, layer by layer, the complex network of skeletons and hatreds that comprised that little English institution.
About the Author
John le Carré made his literary debut in America on Walker & Company's first lists, in 1962 and 1963, introducing his famous character, George Smiley. Now, as part of our 45th anniversary, we are proud and excited to re-issue these two early masterpieces in new hardcover editions, with introductions by the author and forewords by P. D. James and Otto Penzler.
John le Carré has been called "simply the world's greatest fictional spymaster" (Newsweek) and "one of the half-dozen best novelists now working in English" (Chicago Sun-Times). "No other contemporary novelist has more durably enjoyed the twin badges of being both well-read and well-regarded," wrote Scott Turow. He has created many memorable characters, but none with more worldwide acclaim than George Smiley, the bland, paunchy, yet deadly British Secret Service agent.