Anyone who thought the end of the Cold War meant that John le Carre was also finished should check out this masterly portrayal of pre-millennial double-dealing in Panama as the Americans prepare to hand over the canal to - well, to whom? Its rightful owners? The highest bidder? Andrew Osnard, spy, spiv and whatever you're having yourself, drops into the decadent and self-absorbed society in the canal zone like a depth charge and proceeds to recruit his tailor, the charismatic Harry Pendel - who was never what he seemed anyway - to spy on the generals, playboys and politicians who make up his clientele. Deception, hypocrisy and opportunism abound, as you might expect - but so, surprisingly, do humour, loyalty and sheer humanity. If you're going on holiday this year, don't go without this book.
