Spy Hook

While Spy Hook introduces a new plot, it is the first book in the Hook, Line, and Sinker trilogy and follows Bernard Samson from the earlier Game, Set, and Match series. Reading Berlin Game first provides essential context regarding the devastating defection of Samson's wife, Fiona. Starting with the first book greatly enhances the emotional impact of Spy Hook.

Spy Hook was written by British author Len Deighton and published in 1988. Deighton is a master of the espionage genre, well-known for his iconic 1962 spy novel "The IPCRESS File," which was famously adapted into a film starring Michael Caine. His work is characterized by a gritty, realistic portrayal of Cold War intelligence.

The plot follows MI6 intelligence officer Bernard Samson as he is tasked with investigating the unexplained disappearance of large sums of money from a secret government account in Berlin. As he digs deeper, he discovers a web of deception that goes all the way to the top of London Central. He must navigate complex internal politics to clear his own name.

Yes, Spy Hook is the first installment of the Hook, Line and Sinker trilogy. It is followed by Spy Line and Spy Sinker, which continue the overarching story of the missing money and Bernard Samson's complicated family life. The trilogy as a whole bridges the gap between Deighton's earlier and later Cold War works.