Well, I'll submit several books that I would feel fit those adjectives. I enjoy first and foremost excellent spy novels. I recently finished Alan Furst's "Mission to Paris" (he centers on pre-WWII settings.) Anything in his series is wonderful.
Oleg Steinhauer's "Tourist" series is complex, surprising and satisfying modern espionage - but apparently not the latest offering according to many readers. Go to Amazon and search for his books in order of publication.
Philip Kerr's police/spy books about wartime and post war German police detective, Bernie Gunther, are excellent. I just finished "Prague Fatale." Read his in order.
One of the most enthralling, 'can't put down' series I and my wife ever read was the Jan Karon "Mitford Series." Set in a mythical North Carolina town, they're about life there and centered upon a sixty year old bachelor Episcopal rector set in his ways. A sophisticated writer named Cynthia becomes his neighbor. It's gentle, delightful and a classic example of an irresistible force and an immovable object at times. There are several other major characters, including a huge stray dog who adopts the priest and has the untaught habit of sitting down attentively every time the rector quotes Scripture. A young boy from the 'wrong side' of town is brought under the priest's wing and his story of growth is magnificent.
It's loaded with funny characters, beautiful and non-cloying episodes of religion in practice and above all, love. Did I mention I kind of liked this series? Please take a look at Amazon for these books really have to be read in order. Then pick a few up and cancel all upcoming appointments.
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