"The Secret Agent" takes places in London in 1886 and tells the story of Adolf Verloc, a businessman and secret agent. Verloc is part of a group of anarchists who believe in overthrowing the government and who also function as somewhat ineffective terrorists. The group mainly produces anarchist pamphlets called 'F.P.' (The Future of the Proletariat) and hold private meetings among themselves.

First published in 1907, Joseph Conrad's "The Secret Agent" is considered by many literary critics and scholars to be among Conrad's finest novels and one of the first works of English literature to seriously explore the subject of terrorism. The novel is also regarded by many scholars to be one of the first espionage novels of the 20th century.