A review by emily1602
The Human Factor by Graham Greene

Wow, I really liked this! Possibly the first book I have ever read where the protagonist shoots a dog and is supposed to remain sympathetic (which he did, I still liked him after the dog shooting thing). The main character is Castle, a spy who has a desk job with MI5 in London but is secretly working for the Russians, and helping them more than he realizes. The first three-quarters are subdued, with an undercurrent of menace. The desk job is boring but stressful. The slow beginning makes it more believable when people start getting poisoned and sneaking across borders wearing disguises. Also, the uncertainty of everyone involved makes it more believable. No one knows everything that is happening, no one manages to pull off a grand plan. They don't act like suave spies. Because the characters were believable as people, I got super emotionally invested. Reminded me of The Americans. But that show went on for too long; this ended in the right place.