SPY FICTION AUGUST 2026: COLD SUNSET by WILLIAM BOYD and DYING DAYS by ANTHONY BYRT

2026 is shaping up to be a very good year for spy fiction. We have already seen impressive releases from Charles Cumming (Icarus 17), James Wolff (Spies And Other Gods) and David Goodman (Solitary Agents), among others, and later in the year we can expect promising new books from Simon Conway (The British Agent) and the current spy maestro David McCloskey (London Station).

Adding to that list are two new releases by William Boyd (September) and Anthony Bryt (August), both of which sit high on my list of favourite books so far this year.

The first two books in William Boyd’s historical series about the reluctant spy Gabriel Dax, Gabriel’s Moon and Predicament, have been a real reading highlight of recent years. His new book, COLD SUNSET (Viking, 3 September 2026), is just as good, if not better.

COLD SUNSET opens in 1964 and finds Dax in America doing a seemingly small job for his British Intelligence bosses, which leads to rumours of more uncovered treachery in the organisation. Disillusioned, Dax returns home hoping to find solace in his real job as a travel writer. Any peace, however, is short lived and he is soon caught up in the machinations of the Cold War once more.

The celebrated British defector Kit Caldwell, really an MI6 asset, is convinced that the KGB suspects him of treachery and he wants to get out of Moscow as soon as possible. Once more Dax is tasked by his enigmatic handler Faith Green to help, and he is soon on his way to Russia, tasked with delivering a mysterious drawing to Caldwell. Once there he is pulled into a web of shifting loyalties and dangerous escape plans.

COLD SUNSET is another well written and outstanding novel by Boyd. The plotting is intricate and clever, and the pacing is probably brisker this time. The story quickly moves through a series of well-orchestrated twists and turns, and there is genuine suspense as Dax navigates some difficult situations.

Once more Boyd displays a superb sense of place and time and captivates with his portrayal of early 1960s England. The milieu of the time seems spot on to me – all that smoking! – and there are some appealing dollops of wry humour. Spy aficionados will particularly like Dax’s description of a spy he meets in London:

“there was something ‘smiley’ about him, yet he wasn’t smiley – he couldn’t be in his line of work.”

I also really enjoy the background information on Dax’s primary job as a travel writer, and it is fascinating to watch how he develops the ideas for his travel books.

The characterisations are exceedingly well done and Dax’s reflections on spying and life are poignant and interesting. There is a slight dip in pace towards the end, but the climax is terrific and will leave you wanting another Dax story as soon as possible.

A great read and one of the best books I have read this year.

COLD SUNSET is released in the United Kingdom on 3 September 2026, and a few days later in Australia on 8 September.

DYING DAYS, (Affirm, 28 July 2026), by New Zealand author Anthony Byrt is intriguingly set in the Italian city of Trieste in May 1945, as one war is ending and another just about to start.

After months of hard fighting, Allied forces make it to Trieste on 2 May 1945, a day after Marshal Tito’s Yugoslav Army arrive. A tense stand-off ensues in the city, as the Allied forces, mainly New Zealanders, have to watch Tito’s forces harshly deal with suspected Fascist sympathisers and install their own political leaders. The Allies are reluctant to get involved in another European conflict, but tensions reach breaking point when some New Zealand soldiers also disappear, potentially the victims of Tito’s clean-up.  A British MI6 agent and a New Zealand intelligence officer are charged with sorting the problem, and have to deal with a dangerous maze of rumours, lies and corruption involving the local community and the various political interests.

DYING DAYS is a very well written spy novel that impresses with its vivid descriptions and unobtrusive historical detail. The characters are well limned and interesting, especially the British agent known as Alex Madigan, and all behave in a believable manner. Byrt also nicely conveys the varying perspectives of the locals, and the tiredness of the New Zealand troops who just want to get home.

The story moves along at a decent pace, although there are some sluggish patches, and the plot is very credible. Some well-crafted episodes push the story along in an intriguing manner and flashes of violence generate the necessary excitement. The scenes set in the countryside around Trieste are particularly vivid and add a broader perspective to the story. The intricacies of the political situation are also well handled and do not slow the pace.

The story is bookended by a short Prologue which sets the scene, without having much to do with the following plot, and a very good Epilogue, which surprises and nicely wraps up the tale. There is also an interesting Afterword by Byrt, in which he explains his connection to the story.

In all, DYING DAYS is one of the best debuts I have read this year. Original and very atmospheric, it is a strongly recommended for aficionados of serious spy fiction.  

DYING DAYS is released in Australia on 28 July 2026. It also apparently released in the United Kingdom on the same day on Kindle only.