6 Espionage Novels with Charmingly Clueless Protagonists

6 Espionage Novels with Charmingly Clueless Protagonists

Jonathan Payne recommends books and films for America's spy-story moment

By Jonathan Payne | November 20, 2025

The Joy of a Bewildered Protagonist

The Joy of a Bewildered Protagonist

"It’s one thing to follow a fictional hero who is supremely capable and confident...it’s quite another thing to follow a hero who’s totally baffled."

By Jonathan Payne | May 23, 2023

The Absurdity of Espionage

The Absurdity of Espionage

Or, some thoughts on the spy balloon.

By Jonathan Payne | February 22, 2023

Best Reviewed
Books of the Week

  • The Disappearers
  • The Castle: Adventures in a World of Unraveling Men
  • Agrippa
  • Under Story
  • American Scoundrel: Roy Cohn's Dark Journey from Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump
  • The Bed Trick: Sex and Deception on Trial
  • I Liked Rex
  • Asmodeus
  • 53 Days: How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy

  • Support Us!

  • Literary Hub

    Created by Grove Atlantic and Electric Literature


    Masthead

    About

    Sign Up For Our Newsletters

    How to Pitch Lit Hub

    Advertisers: Contact Us

    Privacy Policy

    Support Lit Hub - Become A Member