The Scarlet Papers

I discovered espionage novels during lockdown, maybe to lose myself in a different type of uncertain world. I blasted through the greats, but absolutely loved discovering the contemporary authors writing such stories about new global issues.

There’s something special about Mick Herron’s Slough House series, but do check out Matthew’s The Scarlet Papers. I found it to be an epic tale that spans the last 75 years and numerous historical touchstones. It was an education for me, but more importantly, it was a read I couldn’t put down.

I loved the fact that, like the better-established Robert Harris, Richardson has written a thriller that is stitched seamlessly into the real world.

Here the universe is that of espionage: postwar Vienna, MI6, MI5, double agents, the Cambridge Spies. Fictional characters interact with real historical individuals. As a nonfiction writer about the undercover world, I enjoyed the challenge – even if sometimes frustrating – of teasing out fact from fiction.

The story twists and turns, keeping the reader guessing until the end, and some of the persistent controversies of intelligence history reappear. But, just as in a successful police procedural… show more.