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The greatest spy thrillers in literature

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The Riddle of the Sands

A triller anticipating Frederick Forsyth and Len Deighton...never loses its pace.

Erskine Childers (1870-1922) was an expert yachtsman whose sailing experiences were fictionalized in The Riddle of the Sands. An Irish nationalist, he was executed by the authorities of the nascent Irish Free State during the Irish Civil War. 
 
Bernard Knox is director emeritus of Harvard's Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, D.C.

Loosely based on the author's own experiences, The Riddle of the Sands takes readers back to the early days of the twentieth century, when Britain shared a tense rivalry with the Kaiser's Germany. Tempted by the idea of duck shooting, Carruthers is lured by his friend Davies into a yachting expedition in the Baltic, only to discover that the itinerary involves more than killing fowl. Soon they're on a wild journey of intrigue, meeting danger at every turn, and ultimately unraveling Germany's secret plans to invade England. Tautly written and full of unexpected twists, this is a timeless work of espionage fiction.

Erskine Childers was born in Ireland in 1870 of Anglo-Irish parents. Educated at Cambridge, he worked at the House of Commons before volunteering at the outbreak of the South African War. In 1910 Childers resigned his post in the Commons to work for the Irish cause and later did reconnaissance work during WWI. After the war he settled in Ireland and joined the Republican Army at the establishment of the Free State. He was amongst those arrested and shot in the civil war that followed.

Childers's lone masterpiece, THE RIDDLE OF THE SANDS, considered the first modern spy thriller, is recognisable as the brilliant forerunner of the realism of Graham Greene and John le Carre. Its unique flavour comes from its fine characterization,richly authentic background of inshore sailing and vivid evocation of the late 1890s - an atmosphere of mutual suspicion and intrigue that was soon to lead to war.

Erskine Childers

Unputdownable… a classic British adventure story, influencing both John Buchan and Ken Follett

The Riddle of the Sands remains a fine read, enjoyed by people for whom sailing is a mystery and who, just like one of the books' heroes,cannot tell a mainsheet from a marlinspike

The first modern spy novel and a must-read for espionage junkies and fans of James Bond and John Le Carré. 
 
 When Carruthers receives a letter from his friend Davies suggesting a Baltic sailing trip, the vision of a manned yacht, A1 scenery and excellent duck shooting quickly works its charm. But Carruthers hopes for a holiday are quickly dashed. There has been suspicious German activity along the coast. The Medusa, manned by the sinister Dollman, has already tried to destroy Davies. What are the Germans up to? Nothing less than a plot to invade Britain. And only these two courageous Englishmen can stop them. 
 
Published in 1903, The Riddle of the Sands is considered the first modern spy novel.

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Erskine Childers

Praise for The Riddle of the Sands

Unputdownable… a classic British adventure story, influencing both John Buchan and Ken Follett

The Riddle of the Sands remains a fine read, enjoyed by people for whom sailing is a mystery and who, just like one of the books' heroes,cannot tell a mainsheet from a marlinspike

A ripping yarn, it’s just so exciting

Unputdownable… a classic British adventure story, influencing both John Buchan and Ken Follett

The Riddle of the Sands remains a fine read, enjoyed by people for whom sailing is a mystery and who, just like one of the books' heroes,cannot tell a mainsheet from a marlinspike

A ripping yarn, it’s just so exciting

Unputdownable… a classic British adventure story, influencing both John Buchan and Ken Follett

The Riddle of the Sands remains a fine read, enjoyed by people for whom sailing is a mystery and who, just like one of the books' heroes,cannot tell a mainsheet from a marlinspike

A ripping yarn, it’s just so exciting

Books by Erskine Childers

Articles featuring Erskine Childers

The greatest spy thrillers in literature

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