The looking glass war - John Le Carr

How long was it since the department had mounted an operation? Too long.

There had been a time when the distinctions were clear: the Circus handled all things political while the Department dealt with matters military. But over the years the power had slowly passed to the Circus, and the Circus had elbowed the Department out.

Now suddenly the Department had a job on its hands. Uncertain evidence suggested Soviet missiles being put in place close to the German border, while vital film had gone missing and a courier was dead.

Lacking active agents and the time to recruit afresh, the Department had to find an old hand who would prove its mettle. Fred Leiser, German-speaking Pole turned Englishman, once a qualified radio-operator, now something in the motor trade, must be called back to the colours and sent East ...