Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré by Daniel Dilworth
Jim Prideaux is sent to Czechoslovakia on a mission but ends up shot, forcing Smiley and his boss, Control, into retirement, where Control subsequently dies.
Ricki Marr, through a love affair with the wife of a Soviet intelligence officer, finds out there is a mole in the Circus. Marr passes it on to Guillam, who passes it on to Lacon, who informs Smiley. Smiley and Guillam investigate without the knowledge of Percy Alleine, head of the Circus, or Bill Haydon, Toby Esterhase and Roy Bland.
Prideaux, who survives his ordeal in Czechosovakia, informs Smiley that the presence of a mole was already known and Operation Testify was just a bid to learn his identity.
Meanwhile Alleine has become head of the Circus and apparently has been sending the Soviets false information in return for important intelligence from a source known as “Merlin.” However, Alleine has been receiving largely false information in exchange for important intelligence.
After pressure from Smiley, Esterhase admits his role in “Merlin” and reveals where the mole and his Soviet handler meet. Tarr goes to Paris and messages Alleine, who then ends up getting the mole to go to a meeting with his handler in the safe house.
Tinker Tailor is a brilliantly written book, dealing with (would you believe in a spy novel) the theme of loneliness very well. The film adaptation from 2011, starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and John Hurt amongst other brilliant actors, compliments the book beautifully, even if there is the odd change in the plot here and there. It’s still better than the Fleming espionage novels (you know the ones.)