6 Spy Thriller Books Better Than James Bond – And Need Adaptations

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The James Bond series is a bit like a beloved partner who’s unpredictable – you love them, but they only appear when they want to, not when you’re hoping for it. Fans often have to wait a long time between movies, even though there’s plenty of material available to make them, particularly the recent James Bond novels written by Anthony Horowitz.

The next James Bond film is facing significant delays. Not only has a new actor to replace Daniel Craig not been chosen yet, but director Denis Villeneuve is currently busy with the Dune movies. This is causing a long wait for fans, and many are starting to look at other spy films to fill the void – perhaps it’s time they explored other options.

Even though fans have plenty of spy movies to choose from besides James Bond, there’s a wealth of exciting spy novels that haven’t been made into films or TV shows yet. Many of these books have compelling stories and capable heroes, and would likely translate well to the screen. Hopefully, a producer will recognize their potential and bring them to life soon.

6
‘Run Spy Run’ (1964)

Authors: Michael Avallone & Valerie Moolman

In early September 1963, secret agent Nick Carter is enjoying a break after a mission in Jamaica, but his vacation is cut short. He’s assigned to investigate a series of mysterious plane explosions aimed at leaders who oppose communism. Working with agent Julia Baron, Carter tracks the clues from New York to London, eventually discovering the culprit: a villain known as Mr. Judas, who uses a steel prosthetic hand as a weapon. The story, Run Spy Run, centers around what Mr. Judas hopes to accomplish with these attacks.

An adaptation of Run Spy Run would have fit right in with the wave of anti-communist spy films popular in the 1960s, like From Russia with Love, The Manchurian Candidate, and Alfred Hitchcock’s Torn Curtain. However, it’s clear why it wasn’t made then. The book’s villain, Mr. Judas, is very similar to Dr. Julius No, a famous Bond villain who had appeared in Dr. No just two years before, making it hard for the story to stand out.

While this story doesn’t have the glamorous, international feel of the James Bond films, it offers a more realistic and compelling look at the political side of espionage. The story even goes further, making the President a target – something you’d never see in a Bond movie. The idea of an anti-communist spy thriller isn’t outdated, either. Films like Argo and Bridge of Spies have shown that this type of story can still be successful.

5
‘Damascus Station’ (2020)

Author: David McCloskey

In the thriller Damascus Station, CIA agent Sam Joseph travels to Paris with the dangerous assignment of recruiting Mariam Haddad, a key insider in the Syrian government. As the Syrian war continues, Sam and Mariam develop a romantic connection while investigating the disappearance of an American spy, which throws their mission into jeopardy. The story follows these complex characters and how they navigate a series of challenges in this gripping and popular novel.

David McCloskey, similar to Ian Fleming, brings firsthand knowledge of espionage to his writing, having previously worked as a CIA analyst. He’s likely to defend the realism of his novel, Damascus Station, which feels incredibly authentic despite being fiction. McCloskey confidently delivers a strong first novel – and has two more published – drawing on his insider’s perspective and considerable skill.

I still think this Syrian novel holds up surprisingly well, even though it sometimes feels more like a dramatic, moral story with a bit of politics thrown in than a gritty, all-out spy thriller. Honestly, I can totally see it as a movie – something along the lines of those spy films that actual intelligence officers have given the thumbs-up to. It would be amazing if Bruce McCloskey, the author, adapted it himself! He could really make it something special, like The Americans, which was created with input from a former CIA officer.

4
‘The Tears of Autumn’ (1974)

Author: Charles McCarry

In The Tears of Autumn, we’re transported to November 1963, where Paul Christopher, a former Marine and intelligence officer, is investigating President Kennedy’s assassination. He suspects a connection to the death of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem, believing Kennedy’s administration was responsible and that Vietnam retaliated. After receiving threats from a Kennedy advisor, Christopher leaves his job and travels to Vietnam to uncover the truth.

This book offers a fascinating look back at a period filled with suspicion and intrigue. The story follows a highly skilled spy who feels trapped and frustrated within the CIA, eventually leading him to question everything. In a surprising twist, the United States itself becomes the prime suspect, and our hero finds himself battling prejudiced and cunning opponents as he attempts to solve a complex mystery.

This film has the potential to be truly great – not just visually stunning, but also packed with exciting, carefully planned action and intense violence. It could be a story where simmering anger gradually destroys the main character. Ideally, the script would have been written by Charles McCarry, who had a unique background: he wrote speeches for President Eisenhower and also worked for the CIA.

3
‘American Spy’ (2019)

Author: Lauren Wilkinson

The novel American Spy highlights the long-held idea that the CIA frequently overthrows foreign leaders when their goals clash with U.S. interests. The story centers on Marie Mitchell, an FBI agent who joins a CIA operation hoping to advance her career. Her challenging new task involves discrediting Thomas Sankara, the progressive president of Burkina Faso. She’s assigned to seduce and destroy his reputation, but the mission becomes difficult when she begins to respect Sankara’s ideals.

Wilkinson’s thrilling novel paints a disturbing picture of power, struggle, and hopelessness. You might find some parts of the story unsettling, but you’ll be captivated by how the agency cleverly infiltrates Sankara’s closest allies and ruthlessly removes anyone who opposes them.

This all adds up to exciting potential for a new film or series. There’s a real lack of spy stories set in Africa, with Netflix’s Queen Sono being a rare example. We also haven’t seen many spy thrillers led by women lately. It’s time for something different, and Kathryn Bigelow would be an ideal director to bring a fresh story to life.

2
‘Black August’ (1934)

Author: Dennis Wheatley

Black August takes place in a broken-down Britain, economically devastated and with a growing Communist presence. In the midst of this turmoil, a world-weary secret agent named Gregory Sallust guides a diverse group of refugees as they attempt to rebuild society. The story centers on whether their carefully built, protected community in East Anglia can survive.

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Look, Black August isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea – it’s really intense and gritty, but honestly, it stays with you. I get why no one’s tried to make a movie out of it yet, it’s a complicated story. But I’d love to see it adapted! The book isn’t super well-known, so a director could really take some creative license without a huge outcry from die-hard fans comparing every scene.

This story is a moving and emotional thriller. Several characters struggle with the aftermath of traumatic events, and it’s easy to feel for them as their peaceful lives are shattered. The narrative deals with difficult and sensitive themes, so a filmmaker adapting it would need to handle the material with care and avoid causing offense.

1
‘I Am Pilgrim’ (2013)

Author: Terry Hayes

In I Am Pilgrim, a former spy known as Pilgrim is called back into action when a seemingly impossible murder mirrors ideas from one of his old books. The case quickly escalates into a worldwide hunt for Saracen, a dangerous terrorist who plans to unleash a deadly, untreatable form of the smallpox virus.

Touching on significant events from the Soviet-Afghan War to 9/11, I Am Pilgrim has all the elements of a compelling spy thriller. The story features a globe-trotting protagonist, much like James Bond, moving from locations like Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and boasts a truly memorable villain.

Terry Hayes also writes screenplays, including films like Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and Payback. It would have made sense for him to adapt the book himself, but he sold the rights to MGM in 2014, with Matthew Vaughn initially considered as director. The film has been stuck in development ever since.

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2025-12-30 23:08