The Charlie Muffin Thrillers Volume One — Brian Freemantle

“If Brian Freemantle isn't the best writer of spy novels around, he's certainly, along with John le Carré, in the top two.” -- The Philadelphia Inquirer

Charlie Muffin isn't your typical British spy. He's neither high cultured nor well mannered. He doesn't care about being smooth, pretty, or popular; he only cares about getting the job done . . .
 
Charlie M: After twenty-five years serving the Crown in the shadows of the Cold War, Charlie finds himself under fire from a new breed of superiors who believe his lack of proper breeding makes him a liability in the spy game against the Soviets. But Charlie's going to show them that you don't survive as long as he has without knowing how to turn the tables on your enemy . . .
 
Here Comes Charlie M: On the run, Charlie has slowly devolved into what his former masters once accused him of being. His formerly razor-edged instincts have been dulled by indolence, drink, and the monotonous tension of living in the dark. Believing the heat must have cooled by now, he returns to England, only to discover how very wrong he was -- and how much more dangerous life has just become . . .
 
The Inscrutable Charlie Muffin: Charlie has been keeping his head down with the help of his only friend and ally, Rupert Willoughby. But Rupert's own fortunes turn sour when an ocean liner he invested in burns and sinks in the Hong Kong harbor. Desperate, he turns to Charlie to find out what really happened. Charlie can hardly refuse -- but he'll wish he had.