Spymaster John le Carré has left this world, sadly, but not before giving his readers one last thrilling novel.

Two months ago, Julian Lawndsley left the city to become the proprietor of Lawndsley’s Better Books, a delightful shop located in an English seaside town. This new life suits him, and he’s settling nicely into a comfortable routine. Then one evening, just before closing time, a man calling himself Edward Avon steps through the door, apologizing for arriving late but nonetheless continuing inside. Julian doesn’t mind. Edward seems like quite an interesting chap --- intelligent and affable. After wandering around a while, conversing with Julian, the man takes his leave. But the next morning, at a local café, they meet again. Julian wonders if this really is just a coincidence.

"The literary community mourns the loss of a writer as great as John le Carré.... Read [SILVERVIEW] as a fitting tribute to this superb literary giant."

Edward has something of a proposal for the bookshop owner. He has seen the store’s basement and hates for space like that to go unused. Shouldn’t they fill it with special books and call it, oh, maybe Republic of Literature? Intrigued, Julian can’t stop thinking about the idea and looks forward to further discussion. Edward takes to dropping in each afternoon near closing time. He confesses that his wife is dying. Does Julian mind these encounters? No, not at all. As they become more acquainted, Edward ventures to ask a favor of Julian. Would he please deliver a letter to a lady friend of his in London? Of course, Julian says. He’d be happy to.

But others are watching the interactions between Julian and Edward --- people from the Service. They are curious about that letter Julian delivered. However, the young man did not peek inside the envelope. He knows nothing other than that he took it to Edward’s lady friend in the city. Whether he begins to suspect that there are secret goings-on or not, Julian continues to enjoy the company of the rather odd Edward Avon. A few weeks later, he is invited to Silverview, the Avon home. He eagerly accepts without reservation and ends up having a lovely evening over dinner. As a bonus, he meets Edward’s daughter, Lily.

Lily is a colorful character with language to match. She takes a shining to Julian and frequents the shop often. Her visits aid him in getting a better handle on who Edward is. Lily seems to want little more than to be in Julian’s company, a man with whom she can speak frankly and may understand her more than any other.

The Service, though, is paying close attention. They want to know everything, especially what Edward has been up to. It’s all hush-hush, as the spy business is. Julian appears to have been a naïve target for the experienced Edward Avon, if not a genuine friend in the making. Their Edward has found a use for Julian, one that could get him into trouble. The bookshop owner, for his part, simply views their relationship --- and indeed the world --- with honesty, interest and a forthright mien. So where will this take them?

The literary community mourns the loss of a writer as great as John le Carré. Fortunately, we as readers are blessed with this final contribution by the author of some of the top spy thrillers ever to hit bookshelves. Read it as a fitting tribute to this superb literary giant.