Suspense

One of the themes running through the book is suspense. The reader is prepared for the suspense right from the beginning just knowing they are reading a John Le Carre novel. It begins with the Russian trade delegation in Hong Kong and what is happening with Irina and Tarr and whether or not Tarr will get Irina out in time. Irina is the woman who gave the information about the existence of a mole in the upper echelons of the Circus.

The most suspense centers around the mole, Gerald, and Smiley's methodical research and investigation as Smiley tries to flush out a traitor in British intelligence. We follow Guilliam from step to step as Guilliam smuggles out various documents about Operation Witchcraft and Operation Testify and wonder if Guilliam will be caught with the documents from the Circus Archives. The question of the identity of the mole is...