If you were drawn to Verloc’s morally ambiguous decisions and the sense of uncertainty in The Secret Agent, you’ll be captivated by Thomas Fowler’s ethical struggles in The Quiet American. Set in Vietnam during the French colonial conflict, Greene’s novel explores espionage, loyalty, and blurred lines between right and wrong, keeping you questioning every character’s true motives.

If the web of espionage, secret cells, and shifting alliances in The Secret Agent intrigued you, you’ll find Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy utterly engrossing. George Smiley’s hunt for a Soviet mole in British Intelligence is rife with subtle political machinations, betrayals, and the slow, suspenseful unraveling of a hidden conspiracy.

If you appreciated Conrad’s deep dive into Verloc’s conflicted psyche and the novel’s tension between inner motives and outward actions, Crime and Punishment offers a masterful psychological portrait. Follow Raskolnikov’s descent into guilt and paranoia after a morally fraught crime, all rendered with intense psychological realism.

If Verloc’s morally dubious choices and ambiguous motives fascinated you, you’ll be equally captivated by Tom Ripley in The Talented Mr. Ripley. Highsmith crafts a suspenseful narrative centered on a charming but amoral protagonist whose cunning and adaptability raise compelling questions about identity and guilt.

If you relished the gradual unveiling of secrets and the shocking revelations in The Secret Agent, The Good Soldier will intrigue you with its masterful use of unreliable narration and unexpected plot twists. As John Dowell recounts the tragic tale of two couples, each new detail reframes the story, keeping you guessing until the final page.