PaperBack: “Ashenden”

Part of a series honoring the late author and blogger Bill Crider.



Ashenden: Or the British Agent, by W. Somerset Maugham (Avon, 1966). Published originally in 1922, this collection of roughly connected short stories was inspired by the author’s experience as a British Intelligence agent in Europe during World War I.

Cover illustration by Robert K. Abbett.

SEE IT NOW: In 1991, the British network BBC One adapted several stories from Ashenden into a four-part TV series. At least for the time being, you can watch those episodes on YouTube.