A Private Spy

By John le Carré, Tim Cornwell (editor),

Book cover of A Private Spy: The Letters of John le Carre

Book description

John le Carre was a defining writer of his time. This enthralling collection letters - written to readers, publishers, film-makers and actors, politicians and public figures - reveals the playfully intelligent and unfailingly eloquent man behind the penname.
_____

'The symbiosis of author and editor, father and son, has resulted…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked A Private Spy as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

For anyone who loves John le Carré novels as much as I do, this book is a must-read.

The letters, chosen and commented on by one of le Carré’s sons, are superbly written and span almost the whole of the famous author’s life, from age thirteen until just two weeks before he died in December 2020.

Recipients include a prime minister, actors, agents, politicians, family and fans. The letters reveal a man deeply affected by a troubled childhood – abandoned by his mother at age five, brought up at arm’s length by a con-man father – and give clues…

Empire in the Sand

By Shane Joseph,

Book cover of Empire in the Sand

Shane Joseph Author Of Empire in the Sand

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been a writer for more than twenty years and have favored pursuing “truth in fiction” rather than “money in formula.” I also spent over thirty years in the corporate world and was exposed to many situations reminiscent of those described in my fiction and in these recommended books. While I support enterprise, “enlightened capitalism” is preferable to the bare-knuckle type we have today, and which seems to resurface whenever regulation weakens. I also find writing novels closer to my lived experience connects me intimately with readers who are looking for socio-political, realist literature.

Shane's book list on exposing corporate, political, and personal corruption

What is my book about?

Avery Mann, a retired pharmaceuticals executive, is in crisis.

His wife dies of cancer, his son’s marriage is on the rocks, his grandson is having a meltdown, and his good friend is a victim of the robocalls scandal that invades the Canadian federal election. Throw in a reckless fling with a former colleague, a fire that destroys his retirement property, and a rumour emerging that the drug he helped bring to market years ago may have been responsible for the death of his wife, and Avery’s life goes into freefall.

Does an octogenarian beekeeper living on Vancouver Island hold the key to Avery’s recovery, a man holding secrets that put lives in jeopardy? Avery races across the country to find out, with crooked bosses, politicians, and assassins on his tail. Joseph spins a cautionary tale of corporate and political greed that is endemic to our times.

Empire in the Sand

By Shane Joseph,

What is this book about?

Avery Mann, a retired pharmaceuticals executive, is in crisis. His wife dies of cancer, his son’s marriage is on the rocks, his grandson is having a meltdown, and his good friend is a victim of the robocalls scandal that invades the Canadian federal election.

Throw in a reckless fling with a former colleague, a fire that destroys his retirement property, and a rumour emerging that the drug he helped bring to market years ago may have been responsible for the death of his wife, and Avery’s life goes into freefall.

Does an octogenarian bee keeper living on Vancouver Island hold…


Want books like A Private Spy?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 72 books like A Private Spy.

Browse books like A Private Spy

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in authors, MI5, and the Berlin Wall?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about authors, MI5, and the Berlin Wall.

Authors Explore 187 books about authors
MI5 Explore 15 books about MI5
The Berlin Wall Explore 29 books about the Berlin Wall