10 top political thrillers set in Westminster.
My own foray into writing political fiction began after a long term involvement with the Conservative Party which saw me standing as a candidate for them in Nottingham North in 2015. There’s nothing like hands on experience to be able to give the detail you need to write plausible characters and behaviour. But had I taken inspiration directly from well-trodden paths then here are ten of the top political thrillers set in Westminster.
- “House of Cards” by Michael Dobbs – This classic novel, which has been adapted into several successful television series, tells the story of a ruthless politician’s rise to power in the British government.
- “The Ghost” by Robert Harris – This thriller follows a ghostwriter tasked with finishing the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister, only to uncover a web of secrets that could endanger his own life.
- “A Very British Coup” by Chris Mullin – In this novel, a left-wing politician unexpectedly becomes Prime Minister, but finds himself up against a powerful establishment determined to thwart his plans.
- “Secret State” by Chris Mullin – This sequel to “A Very British Coup” sees the same protagonist facing new challenges as he tries to steer Britain through a crisis involving nuclear power.
- “The Night Manager” by John le Carré – Although not set in Westminster itself, this spy thriller involves a British intelligence officer attempting to bring down a wealthy businessman who is secretly arming rebel groups in the Middle East.
- “The Chancellor Manuscript” by Robert Ludlum – This novel follows a former government employee who stumbles upon a top-secret document that could threaten the lives of many powerful figures in the British government.
- “The Fourth Protocol” by Frederick Forsyth – This Cold War thriller sees a rogue KGB agent attempting to smuggle a nuclear device into the UK, with the ultimate goal of disrupting the British political system.
- “The Day of the Jackal” by Frederick Forsyth – Although not set in Westminster, this classic novel tells the story of a hired assassin tasked with killing French President Charles de Gaulle, and the efforts of French intelligence to stop him.
- “The Constant Gardener” by John le Carré – In this novel, a British diplomat uncovers a conspiracy involving a pharmaceutical company and the deaths of African villagers, and must navigate the dangerous waters of international politics to bring those responsible to justice.
- “The Power Game” by Graham Masterton – This thriller sees a young MP become embroiled in a web of corruption and deceit as he attempts to uncover the truth behind a series of mysterious deaths in Parliament.
Some more books :
What is the meaning of political thriller?
Political thrillers are a genre of fiction that typically explores the political landscape of a nation or the world, often through the lens of a protagonist who is trying to uncover a conspiracy or prevent a catastrophic event.
Some of the common topics explored in political thrillers include:
- Government corruption and abuse of power
- International espionage and terrorism
- Assassinations and political intrigue
- Cover-ups and conspiracies
- Military and intelligence operations
- Political scandals and manipulation
- Diplomatic relations and international crises
- Economic espionage and corporate malfeasance
- Cybersecurity and cyber warfare
- Political and ideological conflicts.
These themes are often used to create a sense of tension and uncertainty, as the protagonist navigates a complex and dangerous world where the stakes are high and the consequences of failure can be dire. Political thrillers can be both entertaining and informative, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of government and the forces that shape our world.
Are the top political thrillers written by people with real life experience?
Not all of the above listed have been written from personal experience. And last year I was interviewed by Ben Shepherd on some of the background to my first political thriller The Missing Activist and how it measured up to other books I’d read. Read the blog post The best political thrillers to spill the beans on the system on Shepherd.com
