The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale is a novel written by author Joseph Conrad and originally published in 1907. It is a dark comedic story about spies, terrorists and anarchists who are plotting in the back streets of early 20th century London. Many believe this work to be the first modern novel to deal with the subjects of both terrorism and espionage. The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale is highly recommended for those who enjoy the writings of Joseph Conrad and for those who are discovering his writings for the first time.