'The Deceiver' (1971) by Frederick Forsyth

'The Deceiver' is a collection of four interconnected espionage novellas centered around Sam McCready, a seasoned and unorthodox British intelligence officer. Known as 'The Deceiver', McCready faces a tribunal where his career and methods are under scrutiny.

The stories, told as part of his defense, highlight his daring and resourceful approaches in handling Cold War-era missions:

"Pride and Extreme Prejudice" - McCready unravels a Soviet double agent's scheme in Washington.

"A Careful Man" - A tale of deception in the Caribbean involving a suspected traitor.

"Albatross" - Focuses on counter-terrorism in Northern Ireland and the interception of a deadly plot.

"A Little Bit of Sunshine" - Explores the murky politics of a British colony in the South Pacific.

Each story showcases McCready's intelligence, moral complexity, and the high stakes of his work in the shadowy world of espionage, ultimately portraying him as an indispensable asset to British intelligence.