...a wise-looking man.

Jackie - What the ***** is that supposed to mean???
Mercy--just that the reader is supposed to imagine the character with a wise expression on his face.
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A writer gets so popular that demand outstrips supply
Yes--I was quite shocked to learn of this practice, back when my daughter was in the Baby-sitters' Club stage. Ann M. Martin had all kinds of ghost-writers, apparently, after Vol. 50 or so. I just figured it was for "bubble gum" type books like this, though, not serious writers like LeCarré.