Thriller · Classics
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
A weary British agent is given one last assignment, to pose as a defector and sow doubt about a dangerous East German intelligence officer. The plan is more complicated, and less honest, than he has been told.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1963
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 304
- Format
- Book 3 of 9 in George Smiley
Read this if you want a bleak, brilliantly constructed spy story where nobody's motives are clean.
Skip this if you want glamour or action, since the book is quiet, grey and morally exhausting.
The feel
Content warnings
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Quick answers about The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
- What is The Spy Who Came in from the Cold about?
- A weary British agent is given one last assignment, to pose as a defector and sow doubt about a dangerous East German intelligence officer. The plan is more complicated, and less honest, than he has been told.
- Who should read The Spy Who Came in from the Cold?
- Read it if you want a bleak, brilliantly constructed spy story where nobody's motives are clean. Skip it if you want glamour or action, since the book is quiet, grey and morally exhausting.
- How long and how fast is The Spy Who Came in from the Cold?
- It is a slow-paced, short read of about 304 pages, first published in 1963.
- Does The Spy Who Came in from the Cold have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death, Violence, Manipulation.
- Can I borrow The Spy Who Came in from the Cold for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Spy Who Came in from the Cold; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Spy Who Came in from the Cold?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Casino Royale.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
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| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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