Old school thrillers

I am reading Eric Ambler's State of Siege. Ambler is cited by Alan Furst as one of his critical influences. Ambler has a similar smart and nuanced approach to politics. This book is set in a recently decolonized SE Asian state where atrocities occur on a regular and almost casual basis. The main character is an Englishman in the capital at the wrong time. He tries to survive as various faction's fortunes wax and wane. It's a short book, but it paints a rather dark picture of how post colonial politics operate. Try it.