Harry Palmer 'Palmer', 'Tommy Palmer'. So, he said, 'All right, we'll call him Harry Palmer.'" Len Deighton introduced the lead character in "The IPCRESS File", his first novel, published in November 1962. In that first-person novel, the secret agent is anonymous, although at one point he is greeted by someone saying "Hello, Harry"; he later says, "Now my name isn't Harry, but in this business it's hard to remember whether it ever had been." Deighton's spy is described as working class, living in a back street flat and seedy hotels, and shopping in supermarkets. He wears glasses, is hindered by bureaucracy, and
John Dickinson (author) John Dickinson (author) John Geoffrey Hyett Dickinson (born June 1962) is an English author of young adult novels. His first novel, "The Cup of the World", was published in 2004. His novel "The Lightstep", written for adults, was published in 2008. Dickinson lives in Painswick, Gloucestershire. Dickinson is the eldest son of author Peter Dickinson and Mary Rose Barnard. He was educated at St Paul's School (London) and Trinity College, Oxford, where he achieved a First in History. From 1985 to 1998, Dickinson worked at the Ministry of Defence (MOD). During this time he was seconded to the Cabinet Office