How many George Smiley books are there?

There are 9 George Smiley books, as of September 2026.

Is the George Smiley series finished?

There have been no new George Smiley books since 1995; John le Carré died in 2020.

Did John le Carré write other series?

Yes: Smiley Versus Karla trilogy.

George Smiley books in order A series by John le Carré

The George Smiley series by John le Carré has 9 books, from Call for the Dead (1961) to John Le Carré (1995). Read it in order, starting with Call for the Dead.

Reading order: 1 Call for the Dead (1961) · 2 A Murder of Quality (1962) · 3 The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (1963) · 4 The Looking Glass War (1969) · 5 Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1974) · 6 The Honourable Schoolboy (1977) · 7 Smiley's People (1979) · 9 A Legacy of Spies (2017) · John Le Carré (1995)

Updated September 2026

All 9 George Smiley books in order

1.
Call for the Dead (1961)
160 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
2.
A Murder of Quality (1962)
176 pages★ 3.3 (10 ratings)
Buy
3.
The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (Sep 1963)
247 pages★ 4.1 (49 ratings)Adapted for film
Buy
4.
The Looking Glass War (1969)
264 pages★ 3.5 (8 ratings)Adapted for film
Buy
5.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (Jun 1974)
369 pages★ 3.6 (11 ratings)Adapted for film
Buy
6.
The Honourable Schoolboy (1977)
576 pages★ 3.4 (5 ratings)
Buy
7.
Smiley's People (1979)
388 pages★ 4.1 (9 ratings)Adapted for TV
Buy
9.
A Legacy of Spies (Sep 2017)
264 pages★ 4.0 (8 ratings)
Buy
John Le Carré (1995)
952 pages
Buy

George Smiley on screen

The Deadly Affair (1966)Film · from Call for the Dead
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965)Film · from The Spy Who Came In from the Cold
The Looking Glass War (1970)Film · from The Looking Glass War
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)Film · from Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Tinker Tailor Soldier SpyTV · from Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Smiley's People (1982)TV · from Smiley's People

George Smiley FAQ

How many George Smiley books are there?: There are 9 George Smiley books, as of September 2026.
What order should I read the George Smiley books in?: In publication order, starting with Call for the Dead (1961): 1 Call for the Dead (1961) · 2 A Murder of Quality (1962) · 3 The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (1963) · 4 The Looking Glass War (1969) · 5 Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1974) · 6 The Honourable Schoolboy (1977) · … all 9 below.
What is the first George Smiley book?: Call for the Dead (1961).
What is the latest George Smiley book?: John Le Carré (1995).
Is the George Smiley series finished?: There have been no new George Smiley books since 1995; John le Carré died in 2020.
Did John le Carré write other series?: Yes: Smiley Versus Karla trilogy.

More series by John le Carré

All John le Carré books

Smiley Versus Karla trilogy
15 books

Sources: series order and dates from Wikidata and Open Library. Last updated September 2026.