{"product_id":"the-private-life-of-spies-alexander-mccall-smith-unknown-author","title":"The Private Life of Spies, Alexander McCall Smith","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Report \u003c\/strong\u003eNew: A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Note \u003c\/strong\u003eMaster storyteller Alexander McCall Smith brings his signature warmth, gentle humor, and sharp wit to a unique collection of espionage tales. Grounded in meticulous research but elevated by imaginative framing, this collection subverts classic wartime thrillers by focusing on the deeply human, often eccentric side of intelligence operatives. It offers an inventive perspective on historical spy-craft, showing McCall Smith working at the absolute height of his short-fiction capabilities.  From a highly reluctant German spy in World War II who seeks escape inside an East Anglian nunnery, to the bizarre exploits of the Cambridge spy ring involving a Russian dwarf, The Private Life of Spies delivers a brilliant half-dozen tales of underhand dealings. Spanning across decades and geographies—from Algeria in 1924 to a contemporary clerical cabal operating deep within the Vatican—these stories explore the slippery, secretive nature of intelligence gathering. Rather than explosive action, readers are treated to beautifully shaped, character-driven snapshots of individuals caught up in the strange business of spying. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54040910070099,"sku":"4362","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/9781408718377.jpg?v=1781860492","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/the-private-life-of-spies-alexander-mccall-smith-unknown-author","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}