What are some classic literary spy novels?

Well, 'The Hunt for Red October' by Tom Clancy is a great American spy novel. It involves a Soviet submarine captain defecting to the United States. Clancy was really good at writing detailed military and espionage scenarios. Then there's 'Clear and Present Danger' by him too. It's filled with high - stakes international intrigue, with the United States getting involved in a drug war in South America. Also, 'Moscow Rules' by Daniel Silva is quite interesting, following the adventures of a spy in Moscow.

Some notable wartime spy novels include 'The Ipcress File' by Len Deighton. It's set during the Cold War and features a nameless British spy. 'Smiley's People' by John le Carré is another one. It continues the story of George Smiley, a complex and intelligent spy. And 'The Manchurian Candidate' by Richard Condon, which is set during the Cold War and has a really interesting take on mind control and espionage.

One of the best is 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' by John le Carré. It's a masterful exploration of the Cold War espionage world, full of moral ambiguity.

One classic spy caper novel is 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' by John le Carré. It's a great read with complex characters and a gritty, realistic look at the spy world.

One of the well - known 1920s spy novels is 'The Riddle of the Sands' by Erskine Childers. It was an important early example in the spy genre. It involves a yachting trip that uncovers a German plot. Another is 'The Thirty - Nine Steps' by John Buchan. It features an exciting adventure with the hero, Richard Hannay, trying to prevent a major conspiracy.

Ian Fleming's 'Casino Royale' is also very well - known. It introduced the iconic character James Bond. This novel is full of action, intrigue, and the glamorous world of international espionage that Bond is famous for.

Well, 'The Hunt for Red October' by Tom Clancy can be considered an adventure spy novel. It involves high - stakes espionage and military action as the Soviet Union and the United States are pitted against each other. Then there's 'Our Man in Havana' by Graham Greene. It's a satirical take on the spy genre, with a vacuum cleaner salesman being recruited as a spy in Cuba. It has elements of both adventure and the absurdity of the spy world.

There is also 'Greenmantle' by John Buchan. This novel continues the adventures in the spy world. It delves deeper into the political and military aspects of the time, with its plot involving a German plot during World War I. Buchan was really good at creating suspense and a sense of the dangerous and shadowy world of espionage in the Edwardian period.

Another great one is 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' also by John le Carré. It has complex characters and a very intricate plot that keeps you guessing throughout. It delves deep into the world of espionage, with its web of lies, double - agents, and political intrigue. The way le Carré portrays the grey areas between loyalty and betrayal is really fascinating.

One classic is 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' by John le Carré. It gives a gritty and realistic view of Cold War espionage.