Nick Harkaway's continuation of his father John le Carré's George Smiley novels reaches new heights with The Taper Man, a spy thriller that matches the quality of the original series. The novel is one of four new releases reviewed this month, alongside new works from Jo Nesbo, Tessa Bailey and Leonora Nattrass.
Smiley's American Mission
In The Taper Man, the unassuming but relentless Smiley travels to the US, a destination le Carré never sent him, on the trail of a mole at the highest levels of the CIA. Amid murder, betrayal and intrigue, the review notes that The Circus is in safe hands with Harkaway.
The reviewer describes it as spy writing of the very highest quality, suggesting that, compared against the originals, it would be tough to tell them apart. Harkaway has seamlessly captured his father's voice and made it his own, earning the novel a 9/10 rating and the label of an absolute must-read.
Historical Fiction and a New Direction
Leonora Nattrass's The Bells of Fortune continues the story of Susan Bell, daughter of the Dean of Westminster, first introduced in 2024's The Bells of Westminster. Set in 1774, the family has been exiled to its country seat in rural Leicestershire after a scandal cost the father his post. A gripping mystery unfolds when a visiting surveyor goes missing, presumed drowned, though Susan is not so sure. The novel is described as a fabulously humorous and entertaining read, scoring 8/10.
Tessa Bailey's Broken Rival marks a departure from her usual romantic fiction. The story follows Magnolia, whose parents experimented with time travel, leaving her on a different timeline and facing the consequences. Magnolia must navigate life as an 18-year-old while knowing she is from 50 years in the future. The review praises this new direction as a welcome change, proving Bailey is more than a one-trick pony author, with a 7/10 rating.
Harry Hole Returns in Kill Shot
Jo Nesbo's Kill Shot sees Harry Hole, who has left Oslo police to work as an insurance investigator, drawn back into a case involving a serial killer staging murders based on iconic film scenes. His stepson Oleg, now part of the homicide team, is investigating the murders, and Harry tries to keep his distance. As the body count rises, he is inexorably pulled back to work with former partner Katrine Bratt and Oleg to catch the killer.
Nesbo wrote Kill Shot while working on the Netflix adaptation of his book series, Detective Hole, and was clearly inspired by being on film sets. The King of Nordic Noir has created another unbearably tense, pulse-pounding thriller, earning a 9/10 rating.
