Spy Sinker

Spy Sinker

First edition cover (UK, Hutchinson) Cover artist Patrick McCreeth
Author	Len Deighton
Language	English
Genre	Spy novel
Publisher	Hutchinson
Publication date	1990 (UK)
Publication place	United Kingdom
Media type	Print (Hardcover)
Preceded by	Spy Line
Followed by	Faith

Spy Sinker is a 1990 spy novel by Len Deighton. It is the final novel in the second of three trilogies about Bernard Samson, a middle-aged and somewhat jaded intelligence officer working for the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). Spy Sinker is part of the Hook, Line and Sinker trilogy, being preceded by Spy Hook and Spy Line. This trilogy is preceded by the Game, Set and Match trilogy and followed by the final Faith, Hope and Charity trilogy. Deighton's novel Winter (1987) is a prequel to the nine novels, covering the years 1900-1945 and providing the backstory to some of the characters.

Plot summary

Spy Sinker starts in 1977 and ends in 1987. It tells the entire story in the previous five novels from the third person perspective (Bernard Samson's bosses, his colleagues, his girlfriend Gloria, and most of all his wife Fiona). Thus it fills in the gaps in the story, as the previous five books only reveals what Bernard can see and think he understands. It also tells the back story leading up to the story in the five novels, which has only been hinted at previously.

Reception

The novel received a mixed review from Kirkus Reviews. Publishers Weekly gave a negative review, writing the book was disappointing, passionless, and unsuspenseful.