In the 80s, Frederick Forsyth was a well - known spy novel author. His work, like 'The Fourth Protocol', was full of tense international intrigue. Tom Clancy also gained popularity in the 80s with his military - focused spy novels such as 'Red Storm Rising'. These authors had a large following due to their ability to create engaging and believable spy stories.
John le Carré was very popular in the 80s. His books like 'Smiley's People' and 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' were widely read. His writing was known for its complex characters and deep exploration of the spy world. Another popular author was Robert Ludlum. His novels such as 'The Bourne Identity' had exciting plots with lots of action and mystery.
One of the most popular spy novel authors in the 80s was Martin Cruz Smith. His 'Gorky Park' was a big hit. He was able to bring the Soviet Union to life in his stories and create a really interesting mystery set in that context. Also, Robert Ludlum was extremely popular with his fast - paced and action - filled spy novels that kept readers on the edge of their seats.