Francis Spufford Q&A

Author Francis Spufford joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his processes, favourite authors, the ordering of his bookshelves and much more. We also learn who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party!

Francis Spufford joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his new novel, 'Nonesuch'. They talk about his fascination with The Blitz, his inspirations for the fantasmical parts of the story and how he melded two genres together. They also discuss craft, research, bending history - and the finished manuscript sitting on his computer which he isn't allowed to publish until 2034. Here's a little more about the novel:It's the summer of 1939. London is on the brink of catastrophic war. Iris Hawkins, an ambitious young woman in the stuffy world of City finance, has a chance encounter with Geoff, a technical whizz at the BBC's nascent television unit.What was supposed to be one night of abandon draws her instead into an adventure of otherworldly pursuit - into a reality where time bends, spirits can be summoned, and history hangs by a thread. Soon there are Nazi planes overhead. But Iris has more to contend with than the terrors of the Blitz. Over the rooftops of burning London, in the twisted passages between past and present, a fascist fanatic is travelling with a gun in her hand.And only Iris can stop her from altering the course of history forever.

International bestselling crime writer, Kathy Reichs, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about her latest Temperance Brennan novel. They discuss taxidermy (Simon makes makes his feelings known!), forensic pathology, autopsies, animals, the origins of evil and what Kathy has learnt after writing and publishing so many books. Here's a little more info on Kathy's latest novel, 'Evil Bones': Small animals have been turning up throughout Charlotte, North Carolina, mutilated and displayed in the same bizarre manner. Now it seems the perp is upping the ante. When Temperance Brennan visits the latest crime scene, she finds that the victim is a dog. Somebody’s pet.Vowing to find whoever is responsible, Tempe is disturbed to learn from a forensic psychologist that the escalating pattern of aggression suggests even more macabre discoveries to come. And then it happens. A woman is found disfigured and posed in a manner that mimics the earlier killings. As Tempe follows the horrifying clues to a shocking conclusion, she finds herself forced to confront an increasingly terrifying question.

Bestselling author, Jennifer Niven, joins Simon and Matt to talk about the authors she admires, her writing process and the job she would have liked to do if she wasn't an author. Simon and Matt also surprise Jennifer with a question from bestselling author Jennie Godfrey...

Jennifer Niven (bestselling author of 'All The Bright Places' joins Simon and Matt for a natter about her first adult fiction novel. 'Meet The Newmans' is about a famous American TV family in the 1960s - and their subsequent unravelling! Jennifer chats about her inspirations for the novel and why she decided to turn to writing for adults (after a huge career as a YA author). They also discuss TV culture from the 60s, the present day reality shows - and - America (then and now)

Bestselling crime author, Ann Cleeves, answers questions about her writing processes and some of her favourite authors and books.Simon and Matt also surprise her with a question from Steph McGovern - and - find out who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party.

Ann Cleeves - crime novelist, library advocate and creator of best-loved characters Vera Stanhope, Matthew Venn and Jimmy Perez - joins Simon and Matt for a natter about her latest novel, 'The Killing Stones'.This new Jimmy Perez mystery is perfect for this time of year - and we can highly recommend you get a copy and curl up under a blanket over Christmas and enjoy it. Ann chats about getting bored with Jimmy (and then liking him again), her love of Orkney and Shetland, the Kirkwall Ba and why she won't ever kill off one of her main characters.

Bestselling author and journalist, Jonathan Freedland, discusses some of his favourite authors, The Beatles, his writing process - and - gives us some brilliant book recommendations too. We also hear from Jeremy Vine - who is a big fan of Jonathan's books - and find out who would be invited to his fantasy dinner party.

Journalist and bestselling author, Jonathan Freedland, joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his latest book - 'The Traitor's Circle' They chat about his extensive research, love of history, the incredible real-life stories of bravery he discovered and put in the book and how and when he likes to write. Although this book is non-fiction, it reads like a thriller! Some of the stories in it are quite remarkable! Here's a bit more info on the book:A thrilling true story of courage, resistance and ultimately betrayal in the Third Reich, captured by internationally bestselling author and prize-winning journalist Jonathan Freedland.The Traitors Circle tells the true, but scarcely known, story of a group of secret rebels against Hitler. Drawn from Berlin high society, they include army officers, government officials, two countesses, an ambassador's widow and a former model - meeting in the shadows, whether hiding and rescuing Jews or plotting for a Germany freed from Nazi rule. One day in September 1943 they gather for a tea party - unaware that one among them is about to betray them all to the Gestapo. But who is the betrayer of a circle themselves branded 'traitors' by the cruellest regime in history?In another page-turning work of nonfiction that reads like a thriller, Jonathan Freedland, acclaimed author of The Escape Artist, sheds light on one of the most dramatic episodes of the second world war, telling a story of courage, resistance and ultimate betrayal that has deep moral resonance for our own time, and asks what kind of person it takes to risk everything and stand up to tyranny.

International bestselling author, Ken Follett, joins Simon and Matt for a bit of a Q&A. He talks about his writing process, books he has loved reading, film adaptations and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. We also surprise him with a question from Greg and Kate Mosse.