The Ipcress File vs The Vanished Messenger: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Espionage, Spy Fiction, Fiction

Cover of The Ipcress File

The Ipcress File Len Deighton · 1962 ★★★★☆ 3.9 222 pages · ≈ 4 h 07 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

vs

Cover of The Vanished Messenger

The Vanished Messenger Edward Phillips Oppenheim · 1914 ★★★★☆ 3.8 245 pages · ≈ 4 h 32 m · Challenging Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.9 vs 3.8 — either is a safe pick by score.
The Ipcress File is the easier read (Moderate), The Vanished Messenger more demanding (Challenging).

Side by side