Can you recommend some recent fiction espionage books?

Sure. 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' by John le Carré is a must - read. It shows a different side of espionage, with a gritty and realistic portrayal. Then there's 'Red Sparrow' by Jason Matthews. It features a female Russian intelligence officer and has a great mix of spycraft and character development. Also, 'Our Man in Havana' by Graham Greene is a satirical take on the espionage world.

Definitely. 'Agent Running in the Field' by John le Carré is a good one. It's about an aging spy in a post - Cold War world. 'The Day of the Jackal' by Frederick Forsyth is a classic espionage fiction. It details an assassination plot. And 'The Hunt for Red October' by Tom Clancy is also a great read. It's centered around a Soviet submarine captain's defection and the race to stop or help him, which is full of espionage - like suspense.

One great book is 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' by John le Carré. It's a classic in the espionage genre, full of complex characters and intricate plots.

Another good one is 'The Day of the Jackal' by Frederick Forsyth. It tells the story of an assassin hired to kill French President Charles de Gaulle. The assassin's meticulous planning and the efforts of the French security services to stop him make for a gripping read. There's a lot of political and espionage - related drama in this book.

Sure. 'The 39 Steps' by John Buchan is a good start. It's an early example of espionage fiction and has a fast - paced plot that's easy to follow. It was also made into a famous movie.

Sure. 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens is a great recent fiction book. It tells a story of a girl growing up in the marshes. Another one is 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' which delves into the life of a Hollywood starlet. Also, 'Normal People' by Sally Rooney is quite popular, exploring the complex relationship between two young people.

For beginners, 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' is a great start. It's not too complex and gives a good feel for the morally grey areas in espionage. Another good one is 'Casino Royale' as it has an easy - to - follow plot and the iconic James Bond character which is well - known. 'The Bourne Identity' also works well for beginners as it has a lot of action and a simple - enough premise to get into.

'Alias Grace' by Margaret Atwood has elements of espionage too. It's based on a true story of a woman accused of murder in 19th - century Canada. The book delves into the secrets and lies of the time, and the main character's situation has an air of mystery and intrigue similar to that in espionage stories.

The 'Alex Rider' series by Anthony Horowitz is also suitable. It follows the adventures of a teenage spy, Alex Rider, who gets involved in various dangerous espionage missions. The books are full of action and intrigue, which can be very appealing to middle school students.

The 'Red Widow' by Alma Katsu is also from 2020. It combines elements of espionage with historical and supernatural undertones. The story is set in the Cold War era and follows a female protagonist as she navigates the dangerous world of spies. It has a unique blend of mystery, history, and espionage that makes it a great read.