I have been thinking this one over, I did enjoy the book and thought it was very good but when I was reading it it felt a bit samey and that I have read it before.

Seems reviewers are hot and cold to it, I think that may be because this one is bookended by The Spy Who Came In From The Cold (Smiley 3) and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (Smiley 5) so when you are between two of most revered spy books you get a little lost in the shuffle.

I liked it very much but I prefer the others, more of a 3.5 than a 3 but rounded down. Perhaps on a re-read I may be tempted to buff it to a 4.

I am excited to be onto the main event of the Smiley series and starting the Karla Trilogy. I have big expectations for this triogy and as luck would have it I have not seen the film or tv series, so I can enter with no preconceptions. I did start Tinker last month before I decided to start at the beginning of the Smiley, I look forward to resuming it very shortly.

One of the highlights of my reading this month has been finally getting into John Le Carré and his superb books.