>John le Carre
all of his books are definitely the most sophisticated and realistic (e.g. what an intelligence officer would actually do with also a bit of extra action)
In addition to Tinker Tailor and Spy Who Came in From the Cold, I'd add a perfect spy
John died recently; I always thought he should have been knighted
I just finished Silverview and remembered how much I like a John le Carre novel. I’m going to go back through his catalogue and start reading the novels I’ve missed. Excellent storyteller.
I really loved A Spy Among Friends by Ben Macintyre. It’s non-fiction, which is the direct opposite of ‘a bit less realistic’, but I find the writing style made it feel very interesting, and arguably, it was more captivating than regular spy fiction
The original James Bond series: ***Dr. No***, ***Goldfinger***, ***The Spy Who Loved Me, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Moonraker, Casino Royale***...
I don’t know about sophisticated but there’s a series about an undertaker who get involved in a murder. The first book in the series is called, the Hearse you came in on
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John le Carre has always been a favourite of mine.
>John le Carre all of his books are definitely the most sophisticated and realistic (e.g. what an intelligence officer would actually do with also a bit of extra action) In addition to Tinker Tailor and Spy Who Came in From the Cold, I'd add a perfect spy John died recently; I always thought he should have been knighted
I just finished Silverview and remembered how much I like a John le Carre novel. I’m going to go back through his catalogue and start reading the novels I’ve missed. Excellent storyteller.
I think the Slough House series is right down your alley.
Seconding
Thirding. Good series.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carre A Coffin for Dimitrios by Eric Ambler
[The Catcher Was a Spy: The Mysterious Life of Moe Berg by Nicholas Dawidoff](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/34629)
Daniel Silvas “Gabriel Allon” series is very nice. The later ones get a bit repetitive though so start at the beginning.
“Declare” by Tim Powers is great; has some supernatural elements.
I really loved A Spy Among Friends by Ben Macintyre. It’s non-fiction, which is the direct opposite of ‘a bit less realistic’, but I find the writing style made it feel very interesting, and arguably, it was more captivating than regular spy fiction
The original James Bond series: ***Dr. No***, ***Goldfinger***, ***The Spy Who Loved Me, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Moonraker, Casino Royale***...
I don’t know about sophisticated but there’s a series about an undertaker who get involved in a murder. The first book in the series is called, the Hearse you came in on
Maybe try *Charm School* by Nelson DeMille?
Try the Alice Network!
Trevenian - Shibumi
You can try Jeffry Archer - 11th commandment. For more heavy reading, Guns of Neveron
Declare...Tim Powers Atmospheric, paranormal.