One of the first spy novels I read was The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carre. I have been a le Carre fan ever since. He’s a master of storytelling, offering insight into human behavior and crisp dialogue. I thought he’d run out of material at the end of the Cold War, but his focus has changed with the times. His books are more complicated; the good guys are less obvious and the bad guys are on all sides. He’s evolved as a writer as his readers — and the world — have evolved.

His latest, Our Kind of Traitor, has all the elements. A brilliant story that weaves the current events of banking madness, Russian mafia, and bankrupt nations into a compelling tale of espionage and intrigue. Like all good spy books it creates settings of true interest, from the Caribbean to Russia to England to Paris to Switzerland. And, naturally, you don’t know how the book will end until the very last page. Even at the end of the last page you are left wondering … but then that’s truly reflective of the spy world.

Each character is fully developed — there are no weak links here, no stereotypes, no characterizations. They have motives and fears that seem so … well, seem so real. Of course you might not meet people like the ones in the book, but then again you might. What I love about le Carre is that he pushes the envelope of personality, but not so far that the cast become comic book characters.

Plus I love how le Carre creates witty dialogue that isn’t filled with cliches. Here’s a quick exchange between a civilian who is being recruited into the spy game and a spymaster:

“Aren’t you suppose to be gentlemen who lie for the good of their country?”
“That’s diplomats. We’re not gentlemen.”
“So you lie to save your hides.”
“That’s politicians. Different game entirely.”

It informs you, makes you smile (or laugh), and best of all it makes you think. I love that.

This may not be one of his best books … but when you write like le Carre even your average stuff is better than 99% of the competition.