Len Deighton Len Deighton Leonard Cyril Deighton (; born 18 February 1929), known as Len Deighton, is a British author. Deighton is considered one of the top three spy novelists of his time (along with Ian Fleming and John le Carré). In addition he is a highly acclaimed military historian, cookery writer, and graphic artist. "The IPCRESS File" (1962), his first novel, was an instant bestseller and broke the mould of thriller writing. "The Sunday Times" called him "the poet of the spy story". Deighton’s first protagonist – a nameless spy christened Harry Palmer in the films – was made famous worldwide
James Meek (author) James Meek (author) James Meek (born 1962) is a British novelist and journalist, author of "The People's Act of Love". He was born in London, England, and grew up in Dundee, Scotland. Meek attended school at Grove Academy in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, and studied at Edinburgh University. His first short stories were published in the New Edinburgh Review and he collaborated with Duncan McLean on a play, "Faculty of Rats", which starred Angus Macfadyen. After a few years in England Meek returned to Edinburgh in 1988, where he worked for The Scotsman. The following year, his first novel, "McFarlane Boils