Active: 1965-96
Peter O'Donnell Key Works
Modesty Blaise, Sabre Tooth, A Taste For Death, The Silver Mistress, I Lucifer, Pieces of Modesty, Cobra Trap
Peter O'Donnell is ranked 10th in the Tim Shipman Best Spy Authors List
‘Reflecting on who and what I read and where I go back, I think I’m originally attracted by setting, by time and place and particularly by plot, but what keeps me coming back for more is character and that’s why Peter O’Donnell sneaks into the Top 10, somewhat to my surprise.
In a genre and a list where so much is either an attempt to copy Ian Fleming or to repudiate him, O’Donnell did something much more interesting: he devised a character that was in many ways similar and in the most obvious way different.
While the old line goes men wanted to be Bond and women wanted to be with Bond, Modesty Blaise is such a character that men would like to be as able as her and be with her. She is not only one of the greatest kick-ass action operatives and sexy as hell, her back story is so laden with pathos that it gives her a human and vulnerable air as well.
The other genius of the books is the relationship with Willie Garvin, who may be the greatest sidekick in spy fiction. Theirs is a relationship based on toughness and tenderness, a real partnership and friendship of mutual respect which never gets confused by becoming sexual. Modesty gets her considerable kicks elsewhere. Together these two are a well oiled machine and O’Donnell gives them truly ingenious techniques to escape their various binds and complete their missions. This may be imaginary tradecraft but it is a key element in making these books so enjoyable. And boy do they get in some binds, up against some of the most exotically psychotic villains ever put to the page.
It makes sense to start with the first one to get Modesty’s back story and to set up her relationship with Garvin and with Sir Gerald Tarrant, the spy chief who brings her out of retirement as a criminal mastermind to work for the secret service. I’ve only read the first four books but Sabre Tooth, the second, and A Taste for Death, the fourth, are generally considered the two strongest entries, though those who have read the lot also love The Silver Mistress and the two volumes of short stories: Pieces of Modesty and Cobra Trap. If some of the plots become repetitive that is not the point.
Spending time with Modesty and Willie is one of the greatest pleasures in spy fiction and it is enough to elevate them over a handful of perhaps greater spy writers. Which is not to say that O’Donnell can’t write, he can, indeed he manages the excitement with deft speed and pulse pumping tension. But what he has done is far greater than that, he has created characters who are at once both incredible and believable.
So why aren’t they better known now?
One of the greater tragedies in spy fiction history is that the Modesty Blaise film was not up to scratch. It genuinely could have been as great a franchise as Bond and, in the right hands now, it still could be. Indeed in the equality of the Modesty-Willie partnership, it is altogether more modern than Bond. It is also highly regrettable that these books are not currently available (in the UK at least) on Kindle, an omission I find baffling. Fortunately, the paperbacks can be had very cheaply online.
Modesty Blaise is both thrilling and comforting, like that old jumper you love to wear on a lazy Sunday afternoon, but when you do it still clings in all the right places – and that’s a Top 10 achievement.'
Tim Shipman
Further Reading
MODESTY BLAISE AND PETER O’DONNELL AND THE LAST GREAT ADVENTURE STRIP
Peter O'Donnell Obituary – The Guardian
Join the Spy Books Community Discussion
Spybrary is more than just a spy podcast; it's a place to chat with fellow spy book and spy film fans from around the world. We encourage you to share your views on each spy book/movie, engage in discussion with fellow fans, and immerse yourself in the captivating world of spy fiction, spy fact and spy films.
