Spring in 1963 and George Smiley has left the Circus. With the wreckage of West’s spy war with the Soviets Strewn across Europe, he has eyes on a more peaceful life. With his marriage more secure than ever, there is a rumour in Whitehall – unconfirmed and a little scandalous – that George Smiley might almost be happy, with some quality time with is wandering wife Anne. But when Hungarian assassin, sent to London to dispatch Laszlo Banati an émigré Magyar agent, has a sudden change of heart and switches sides, Simley is back called back to investigate to find out why is Banati targeted for death and why has he vanished? And who is he, really, other than “ a charming rogue”.

The Russian agent has defected in the most unusual of circumstances, and a man he was sent to kill in London is nowhere to be found.

Smiley starts to disentangle the web of connections across Europe that lead inevitably eastwards to the long shadow of his nemesis Karla. Smiley is surrounded by familiar colleagues and there is compensation in Harkaway’s female characters, never le Carre’s strong point. Susanna, Banati’s fellow Hungarian émigré and assistant is finely drawn.

Smiley reluctantly agrees to one last simple task and interview Susanna, employee of missing man to sniff out a lead. But in his absence the shadows of Moscow have lengthened. Smiley will soon find himself entangled in a perilous mystery that will define the battles to come, and strike at the heart of his greatest enemy.

 James Bond 007, Jason Bourne, George Smiley, John le Carre’s cerebral spymaster, is invaluable to retire after his creators death. Le Carre’s son Nick Harkaway  wrote Karla’s Choice to produce a tale faithful to the originals with modern touch.

Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway, Viking  £22/ $30