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Silverview by John le Carré
Thriller

Silverview

by John le Carré

Quick take

The final twisty tale from the modern spymaster John le Carré.

Good to know

  • Illustrated icon, Icon_WellKnownAuthor

    Famous author

  • Illustrated icon, Icon_International

    International

  • Illustrated icon, Icon_Movieish

    Movieish

  • Illustrated icon, Icon_Whodunit

    Whodunit

Synopsis

Julian Lawndsley has renounced his high-flying job in the city for a simpler life running a bookshop in a small English seaside town. But only a couple of months into his new career, Julian's evening is disrupted by a visitor. Edward, a Polish emigre living in Silverview, the big house on the edge of town, seems to know a lot about Julian's family and is rather too interested in the inner workings of his modest new enterprise.

When a letter turns up at the door of a spy chief in London warning him of a dangerous leak, the investigations lead him to this quiet town by the sea . . .

Silverview is the mesmerizing story of an encounter between innocence and experience and between public duty and private morals. In his inimitable voice, John le Carré, the greatest chronicler of our age, seeks to answer the question of what we truly owe to the people we love.

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Free sample

Get an early look from the first pages of Silverview.

Why I love it

A former MI5 intelligence officer, John le Carré captured the imagination of millions of readers around the world with his twisty, authentic espionage novels, penning over two dozen books over the course of his illustrious second career. And with this, his final posthumously published novel, readers are given one final journey into the mind of the spy thriller master.

In Silverview we are introduced to Julian Lawndsley, a man whose quiet life running a small-town bookshop is turned upside down when a mysterious visitor comes knocking with far too many questions. Soon word of an intelligence leak brings a spy to Lawndsley’s seaside town. What follows is a thoughtful and complex story of secrets and betrayals.

Whether you are a longtime fan of le Carré’s work or dipping into his world of espionage for the very first time, I think you’ll find Silverview to be a thought-provoking narrative from a writer in a league of his own.

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Member ratings (810)

  • Isaac W.

    West Hollywood, CA

    Admittedly I’m a John le Carrè enthusiast, and this book does not disappoint! Brimming with the intrigue, psychological gamesmanship, and emotional repression that le Carrè did so well! Fantastic!!!

  • Jenna Y.

    Glendale Heights, IL

    Based on reviews, I was worried this would be a letdown for a long-time fan, but I loved this poignant story! It felt fitting as his final work as it asks questions about the purpose/point of spy life

  • Trisha T.

    Auburn, WA

    A subtle, quiet story that completely sucked me in. I liked the twists and turns of a spy story - but it's not all espionage and drama. It's much more about later in life, after being a spy. Wonderful

  • Shelly A.

    La Mesa, CA

    Got this book for my husband who is a Le Carre fan and he absolutely loved it! Made him want to go back and reread them all. This was a treat and a rare book I could get in my box for him.

  • Barbara K.

    Philadelphia, PA

    LeCarre was still in the top of his form when he wrote this, his last book..Bravo!!!! Wants me want to go back and catch up on what I missed and reread the others.