SpyMasters

The inaugural Books of the Year from the Spymasters Podcast. Join your host Antonia Senior as she talks to three special guests about their books of the year. Oliver Webb-Carter is the Editor of Aspects of History, and the host of our sister podcast, the Aspects of History podcast. https://aspectsofhistory.com/ [https://aspectsofhistory.com/] Paul Burke is the host of the brilliant Crimetimefm podcast, and is writing an encyclopedia of spy fiction, due out in 2025. https://www.crimetime.co.uk/crimetime-fm-the-crime-fiction-interview-podcast/ [https://www.crimetime.co.uk/crimetime-fm-the-crime-fiction-interview-podcast/] Thomas Waugh is a writer of contemporary spy thrillers, including the Daniel Ambler series https://www.a's mazon.co.uk/stores/Thomas-Waugh/author/B001HPRLFY?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true [https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Thomas-Waugh/author/B001HPRLFY?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true] The books we discuss on this chat include Ben Macintyre's The Siege Henry Hemming's Four Shots in the Night IS Berry's The Peacock and the Sparrow David McCloskey's Moscow X Tim Tate's To Catch a Spy Nigel West's Classified Henry Porter's The Enigma Girl Merle Negate's Honour Among Spies Mick Heron's The Secret Hours William Boyd's Gabriel's Moon Jane Thynne's Midnight in Vienna Alex Gerlis: Every Spy a Traitor The conversation covers a range of themes, including character-driven narratives, historical contexts, and the evolution of intelligence writing. Each guest presents their selections, providing insights into the authors' styles and the significance of their works in the genre. In this engaging conversation, the panel delvesinto the intricate world of espionage, exploring the ideological divides between American and Communist perspectives, the moral dilemmas faced by spies, and the complexities of British intelligence secrecy. The discussion also highlights the evolution of spy fiction, particularly in relation to real historical events, and examines modern trends in the genre, culminating in a review of notable spy books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Michael Smith, intelligence expert, talks to Oliver Webb-Carter, editor of Aspects of History, about Trump, Foreign Policy and Intelligence. Michael talks about how the re-election of Trump will effect the special relationship between British and American intelligence services. Oliver and Michael discuss the prospects for the Middle East, Ukraine and more, under the new Trump administration. Michael is is a British author who specializes in spies and espionage. He is also a former member of the board of the Bletchley Park Trust. Michael has written 16 books, and his most recent is The Real Special Relationship, The True Story of How the British and US Secret Services Work. Buy the book here [https://amzn.eu/d/f2uDEdj] Follow Michael here [https://www.michaelsmithauthor.com/about-michael-smith-author.html] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Kevin Riehle is the author of The Russian FSB, A Concise History of the Federal Security Service. Dr Riehle spent 30 years working for the US Government in various intelligence roles before switching to academia. The Russian FSB is the first English history book to trace the rise of Putin's Security Service. We talk about Putin, corruption and succession. What place does the FSB have in Russian society? How does it install fear? What continuity is there with its famed and feared predecessor, the KGB? Buy the book here. [https://amzn.eu/d/9WsUeMr] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Antonia Senior talks to IS Berry about her debut novel The Peacock and the Sparrow. It has garnered rave reviews, and has won the Edgar Award for best first novel. It's set in Bahrain during the Arab Spring, and follows the misadventures of disillusioned CIA officer Shane Collins. IS Berry was in the CIA for six years, and she writes with thrilling authenticity about life as a spy. we talk about her leap from spy to writer, about her influenced, and the toll that espionage can take on the soul. Buy the book here [https://amzn.eu/d/b6DCM5B] Follow IS Berry: https://isberry.net/ [https://isberry.net/] Follow IS Berry on X: @isberryauthor Follow spymasters on X: @spymasterspod Follow Antonia: @tonisenior Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

In this episode of the Spymasters podcast, Antonia Senior talks to Alec Marsh, author of the Drabble and Harris series of historical thrillers. The talk ranges from Istanbul, to the peculiar atmosphere of the 1930s, espionage and beyond. Buy the book here: https://amzn.eu/d/eoCm7PZ Follow Alec Marsh: https://www.alecmarsh.co.uk/ [https://www.alecmarsh.co.uk/] on X: @alecmarsh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]