Michael Connelly (The Law Of Innocence)

Bestselling author and journalist, Erin Kelly, joins Simon and Matt to answer some Questions about her writing and reading habits. She also tells us about the last book she really really enjoyed, who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party - and answers a question from fellow author, Jane Casey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalist and author Erin Kelly joins Simon and Matt for a chat about her new novel - a follow on from her debut novel, but also a stand alone! Erin discusses her characters, plotting and how Frasier helps her write scenes. They also chat about the email she received from Stephen King, praising her book, and why she has returned to these characters so many years later. About the book: In the sweltering summer of 1997, straight-laced, straight-A student Karen met Biba - a bohemian and impossibly glamorous aspiring actress. A few months later, two people were dead and another had been sent to prison. Having stood by Rex as he served his sentence, Karen is now married to him with a daughter, Alice, who runs a vintage clothing company in London. They're a normal family, as long as they don't talk about the past, never mention the name Biba, and ignore Alice's flashes of dark, dangerous fury. Karen has kept what really happened that summer of '97 hidden deep inside her. Alice is keeping secrets of her own. But when anonymous notes begin to arrive at Alice's shop, it seems the past is about to catch up with them all ... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who would John O'Farrell invite to his fantasy dinner party? Does he work best to deadlines? Which author always makes him laugh? Find out the answers to these questions, and many more, on this Q&A episode of Books Of The Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon and Matt are joined by screenwriter and author John O'Farrell to talk about his latest novel, Family Politics. They discuss...politics...believe it or not, as well as the humour that can be found in all political parties, Question Time, Mrs Doubtfire the musical and what doesn't always translate from the UK to the US (and vice versa). You could say it's a cornucopia of an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our bonus Q&A episode, Historian, Broadcaster and Writer, Anna Keay, answers Qs about screen adaptations, writing processes, her research...and who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We may be a little late to this book, but, we want to shout about it nonetheless! Anna Keay joins Simon and Matt for a deep dive into The Restless Republic, when for eleven years, Britain had no king. In 1649 Britain was engulfed by revolution, but it's not a time in history that we are taught about, certainly in the UK. Anna's book takes as its guides the people who lived through these years of restlessness. Among them is Anna Trapnel, the daughter of a Deptford shipwright whose visions transfixed the nation. John Bradshaw, the Cheshire lawyer who found himself trying the King. Marchamont Nedham, the irrepressible newspaper man and puppet master of propaganda. Gerrard Winstanley, who strove for a Utopia of common ownership where no one went hungry. William Petty, the precocious scientist whose mapping of Ireland prefaced the dispossession of tens of thousands. And the indomitable Countess of Derby who defended to the last the final Royalist stronghold on the Isle of Man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kiley Reid (author of the Booker longlisted novel, Such A Fun Age) joins Simon and Matt for a Q&A. They talk about her favourite writers, deadlines, how she orders her books...and who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling author, Kiley Reid, joins Simon and Matt to talk about her new novel, Come And Get It. She discusses her fascination with money (those who have it, those that don't and the things people might do to get it) which is a big theme in this book, and what drew her to write what she has coined a 'dorm novel'. The book is set in the University of Arkansas, so we learn why that setting was important for Kiley, and Matt has a rant about dancers...of course he does. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Michaelides published his bestselling debut novel 'The Silent Patient' in 2019. His new novel 'The Fury', is out now. In this episode, Alex answers questions about his writing process, characters, authors he admires, books he loves - and - there's a special appearance from a surprise author and fan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Michaelides returns to Books Of The Year to chat with Simon and Matt about his new novel, 'The Fury'. The screenwriter turned author talks about his inspirations (Patricia Hysmith), his love of film, putting humour into thrillers and how to try and write a twist like Agatha Christie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices