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A Murder of Quality
The Smiley Collection
Series: The Smiley Collection
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Check link for latest rating. ( 21,635 ratings, 1,541 reviews)
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A Murder of Quality
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
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Description
In A Murder of Quality by John le Carré, readers are drawn into a gripping mystery that reveals the dark underbelly of a prestigious British public school. When Stella Rode, the wife of a respected teacher at the exclusive Carne School, is brutally murdered, George Smiley is called upon to investigate. What appears to be a straightforward case soon unravels into a complex web of secrets, rivalries, and hidden motives within the cloistered academic world.
Unlike his previous forays into the shadowy world of espionage, le Carré's second novel delves into the microcosm of a public school, exposing the peculiar dynamics and societal pressures that govern it. George Smiley, with his keen intellect and unassuming demeanour, navigates this insular community, uncovering layers of deceit and conflicting interests that challenge his abilities as a detective.
Not only is A Murder of Quality a masterful mystery, but it also provides a profound critique of the British class system and the often morally ambiguous institutions that perpetuate it. Le Carré’s astute observations and intricate characterisations create a richly textured narrative that keeps readers engrossed from beginning to end.
This special edition, which is part of the comprehensive publication of all le Carré's works, features a distinctive look that reflects the significance of his iconic character, George Smiley. Whether you're a devoted fan of le Carré's espionage tales or a newcomer to his work, A Murder of Quality offers a compelling exploration of human nature and societal structures, wrapped in a finely crafted mystery.
Series: The Smiley Collection
View all-
A Murder of Quality
In A Murder of Quality by John le Carré, readers are drawn into a gripping mystery that reveals the dark underbelly of a prestigious British public school. When Stella Rode, the wife of a respected teacher at the exclusive Carne School, is brutally murdered, George Smiley is called upon to investigate. What appears to be a straightforward case soon unravels...Paperback$2400Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Monday -
The Honourable Schoolboy
As we publish all of le Carré's work for the first time, a special look for the books featuring his iconic character, George Smiley. The Honourable Schoolboy is the sixth Smiley novel, where George Smiley, now chief of the battered British Secret Service, seeks revenge for the betrayals of a Soviet double agent.Paperback$2700Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Secret Pilgrim
As we publish all of le Carré's work for the first time, the Smiley Collection offers a special look for the books featuring John le Carré's most iconic character – George Smiley. The Cold War is over and Ned has been demoted to the training academy. He asks his old mentor, George Smiley, to address his passing-out class. There are...Paperback$2800Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Looking Glass War
As we publish all of le Carré's work for the first time, a special look for the books featuring his iconic character, George Smiley. A department of ageing British spies will break any rule for the glory of launching a secret agent into communist East Germany, in the fourth novel featuring George Smiley. The Looking Glass War dives into the...PaperbackSold Out -
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
In Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, John le Carré masterfully crafts a tale of espionage and intrigue set against the dark and shadowy backdrop of the Cold War. With unparalleled skill, le Carré draws readers into the labyrinthine world of British Intelligence, known as "The Circus." The seasoned and much-revered intelligence officer George Smiley is called out of bitter retirement for...PaperbackSold Out -
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carré is a gripping, intense novel set against the backdrop of the Cold War. The story follows Alec Leamas, a British intelligence officer, who has just witnessed the collapse of his East Berlin espionage network. Facing the demoralising prospect of being pulled back from the field, Leamas is given...PaperbackSold Out -
Call for the Dead
A special look for the books featuring his iconic character, George Smiley. After a routine security check by George Smiley, civil servant Samuel Fennan apparently kills himself. When Smiley finds Circus head Maston is trying to blame him for the man's death, he begins his own investigation, meeting with Fennan's widow to find out what could have led him to...PaperbackSold Out
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
A Murder of Quality by John le Carré is highly praised for its intricate plot and well-developed characters. Reviewers appreciate the author's skill in weaving a compelling mystery while delving into social and moral themes. The novel is noted for its atmospheric setting and sharp, intelligent writing, making it a standout in the crime and thriller genre.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780241330883
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 27 February 2020
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Classics
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 11.0mm
Width: 111.0mm
Height: 181.0mm
Weight: 116g
Pages: 192
About the Author
John le Carre was born in 1931. For six decades, he wrote novels that came to define our age. The son of a confidence trickster, he spent his childhood between boarding school and the London underworld. At sixteen he found refuge at the university of Bern, then later at Oxford. A spell of teaching at Eton led him to a short career in British Intelligence (MI5&6). He published his debut novel, Call for the Dead, in 1961 while still a secret servant. His third novel, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, secured him a worldwide reputation, which was consolidated by the acclaim for his trilogy Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Honourable Schoolboy and Smiley's People. At the end of the Cold War, le Carre widened his scope to explore an international landscape including the arms trade and the War on Terror. His memoir, The Pigeon Tunnel, was published in 2016 and the last George Smiley novel, A Legacy of Spies, appeared in 2017. He died on 12 December 2020.
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