The George Smiley is a Crime Fiction / Literary Fiction series by John le Carre, made up of 10 books published between 1961 and 2024. It begins with Call for the Dead (1961), and is best read in publication order. The most recent entry is Karla's Choice ( By: Nick Harkaway) (2024), spanning 63 years of storytelling.
George Smiley series: frequently asked questions
What order should I read the George Smiley series?
Start with Call for the Dead (1961), the first book in the George Smiley series by John le Carre. Follow the books in publication order for the best reading experience.
How many books are in the George Smiley series?
There are 10 books in the George Smiley series by John le Carre, published between 1961 and 2024.
What is the first book in the George Smiley series?
The first book in the George Smiley series is Call for the Dead, published in 1961 by John le Carre.
What is the latest book in the George Smiley series?
The most recent book in the George Smiley series is Karla's Choice ( By: Nick Harkaway) (2024) by John le Carre.
About the George Smiley series
John le Carré's George Smiley novels are the gold standard of literary espionage. Smiley is the antithesis of the glamorous spy: a quiet, cuckolded, ageing intelligence officer of formidable mind, who fights the Cold War in dossiers, interrogation rooms and betrayals rather than gunfights.
Le Carré's world of the "Circus" is one of moral murk, institutional rot, and the terrible human cost of secret work. The trilogy pitting Smiley against his Soviet counterpart Karla is among the finest achievements in the genre — slow, intricate, and devastating.
Start with "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" (the heart of the Karla trilogy), or read in publication order from "Call for the Dead" for Smiley's full arc.