The Return of Spy Fiction
On the Barnes & Noble Review this week, Sarah Weinman writes about the return of spy fiction. Why the comeback? Her theory is that during a time of uncertainty and cynicism, spy fiction’s “tonic of shadows and fog can at least temper the wolves enough to provide what the reader wants — be it a sliver of hope or confirmation of the world’s continuing absence of order.” She describes the books that have brought about the comeback, including the following new titles (in order by pub date). I’ve included links to the PW and LJ columns in which the titles were reviewed (scroll down, or do a page search to find the specific review). Weinman also writes a popular and respected blog, Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind. Her “Picks of the Week” (left side of the home page) is a great source for RA. The short descriptions can spark ideas on how to present titles to customers. An Ordinary Spy Joseph Weisberg PW 10/01
- Hardcover: $23.95
- Publisher: Bloomsbury USA (December 26, 2007)
- ISBN-10: 1596913762
- ISBN-13: 978-1596913769
Pavel & I Dan Vyleta PW 9/24/07 LJ 12/15/07
- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: Bloomsbury USA (January 22, 2008)
- ISBN-10: 1596914513
- ISBN-13: 978-1596914513
The Ghost War Alex Berenson PW 12/10/07 LJ 1/15/08
- Hardcover: $24.95
- Publisher: Putnam Adult (February 12, 2008)
- ISBN-10: 0399154531
- ISBN-13: 978-0399154539
The Amateur Spy Dan Fesperman PW 1/07/08 LJ 1/15/08
- Hardcover: $24.95
- Publisher: Knopf (March 4, 2008)
- ISBN-10: 1400044677
- ISBN-13: 978-1400044672
The Prince of Bagram Prison Alex Carr PW 1/07/08
- Paperback: $14.00
- Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks (Original; March 11, 2008)
- ISBN-10: 0812977092
- ISBN-13: 978-0812977097
The Orpheus Deception David Stone No reviews in LJ or PW yet
- Hardcover: $25.95
- Publisher: Putnam Adult (March 27, 2008)
- ISBN-10: 0399154639
- ISBN-13: 978-0399154638
The Spies of Warsaw Alan Furst No reviews yet
- Hardcover: $25.00
- Publisher: Random House (June 3, 2008)
- ISBN-10: 1400066026
- ISBN-13: 978-1400066025