She Judges Crime Fiction's Biggest Prizes — Here Are Her 5 Favourite Spy Books!

If you think you already know the Cambridge Five story, think again. In this episode of Spybrary, Shane Whaley is joined by journalist and author Antonia Senior to discuss her powerful new book, Stalin's Apostles: The Cambridge Five and the Making of the Soviet Empire— a major re-examination of Kim Philby, Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt and John Cairncross. But this is not the familiar story of clubland betrayal, old boys' networks. ping gins and establishment embarrassment. Instead, Antonia asks a darker and more important question: what did Stalin actually want from his greatest spies and what was the human cost? From Poland, the Baltics, Albania and Ukraine to the corridors of Whitehall and Washington, this conversation explores the real human cost of the Cambridge Five's betrayals — and why they were far more than 'Robin Hood' types embarrassing the British establishment. In this episode, we discuss: Why the Cambridge Five knew far more about Stalin's crimes than many like to admit Kim Philby's role in betraying anti-Soviet operations How Donald Maclean helped Stalin see the West's diplomatic hand The fate of partisans and resistance fighters in Eastern Europe Anthony Blunt, Poland, and the brutal realities behind the myth The enduring mystery of Philby in Beirut: did he run, or was he allowed to go? If you enjoy spy books, espionage history, and serious conversations about the moral consequences of intelligence work, this one is for you. Buy Stalin's Apostles: https://geni.us/XcUoM2 Join the Spybrary Community Support Spybrary Sign up for The Dead Drop newsletter

One of crime fiction's most trusted voices reveals her 5 best spy novels. In our latest Spybrary Dead Drop Five series, crime fiction critic Ayo Onatade makes a passionate case for each one — and her picks may surprise you. Welcome back to the Dead Drop 5 series! In this episode, Spybrary host Shane Whaley is joined by Ayo Onatade — one of the most respected voices in crime and thriller fiction. Ayo is a critic, commentator, and moderator who has written extensively on crime and thriller fiction, contributed to major reference works on British and American crime writing, and served as judge and chair for some of the genre's most significant prizes, including the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger.

Guest host Matthew Hurst sits down with author Michael Dylan to explore his debut spy thriller The New Spy. Dylan shares his unconventional journey from global advertising creative to full-time novelist, revealing how real-world research, including chilling conversations with a mysterious source known only as "Mr. Pickles" shaped the authenticity of his espionage writing. The conversation dives deep into modern intelligence warfare, particularly the concept of "chaos warfare," where the goal is not conquest but destabilisation. Dylan explains how this evolving geopolitical reality inspired the novel's themes and characters, including rookie MI5 agent Joe Batten and a brilliant but physically limited analyst working from the shadows. The episode also explores the realities of self-publishing versus traditional publishing, the creative risks of killing beloved characters, and the importance of writing stories that genuinely excite the author. It's a fascinating blend of craft, industry insight, and the unsettling truths behind modern espionage.  

We share the sad news that renowned spy novelist Len Deighton has passed away at 97. We pay tribute to his incredible work, discussing why he was considered the greatest spy novelist and his impact on cold war espionage. His contributions to the spy thriller genre remembered. Len Deighton didn't just write spy novels… he changed the genre.  In this episode, we take a step back and reflect on the life, legacy, and impact of one of the true giants of espionage fiction. From The IPCRESS File through to the Bernard Samson/Berlin Game series, Deighton gave us something very different—spies who weren't superheroes, but real people. Flawed. Wry. Often stuck in offices, navigating bureaucracy as much as danger. I'm joined by Rob Mallows of the Deighton Dossier, broadcaster and commentator Eliot Wilson, and Aspect of Crime's Paul Burke as we talk through what made Len Deighton so special, including: Why his "everyman spy" felt like such a shift at the time How he stood apart from Fleming and le Carré His incredible sense of place—especially when it comes to Berlin The influence he's had on modern writers like Mick Herron And why, all these years later, his books still hold up This isn't just a tribute episode. It's a proper Spybrary-style conversation about why Len Deighton matters and why he still should matter to readers today. If you've never read him, this is a great place to start. And if you have… well, you'll know exactly why we're doing this one. 🎧 Tune in and raise a glass to one of the greats. 👇 And let us know in the comments or in our community— What's your favourite Len Deighton book? Join 5,000+ spy thriller fans in our online community and share your thoughts on Len Deighton: https://spybrary.com/join-our-community/

What happens when a legendary screenwriter turns decades of espionage ideas into an epic literary spy saga? On this episode of the Spybrary podcast, Michael Frost Beckner joins Bruce Dravis to unpack Kaleidoscope, the Spy Game universe, CIA family legacies, his influences, moral ambiguity, and the hidden machinery of intelligence. A must-listen/watch for serious spy fiction fans. Join the Spybrary Community: https://spybrary.com/join-our-community/ If you enjoyed today's episode - please can you give us a rating and review? This helps us spread the word to bring more spy readers in from the cold.

Tim Shipman sits down with thriller author James Wolff who worked as a British intelligence officer for over ten years. They unpack his latest spy novel Spies and Other Gods. Wolff shares how a single line in a UK parliamentary oversight report (the Intelligence and Security Committee) sparked the novel's core idea. An anonymous whistleblower sends British Intelligence into a frenzy, threatening to reveal secrets that could bring the establishment to its knees. Wolff also reveals why it took government censors 16 months to approve his book—and shares some of the truly absurd references they insisted he remove. He then turns the tables on Shipman, asking whether he uses spy-like tradecraft in his own work as a political journalist who relies on sources, assets and insiders to uncover stories. If you love le Carré-style moral tension, Slough House office politics, and spy fiction that feels real, Spies and Other Gods is for you.     So what is Spies And Other Gods by James Wolff all about, Shane? In this cat-and-mouse spy thriller, an anonymous whistleblower sends British Intelligence into a frenzy, threatening to reveal secrets that could bring the establishment to its knees. The Head of British Intelligence is having a bad day. Only six months off retirement and Sir William Rentoul is wondering if he'll make it that far, what with the sudden descent of a brain fog dense enough to turn every day into a series of small humiliations. To make matters worse, when parliamentary researcher Aphra McQueen is brought in to investigate an internal complaint, she discovers something horrifying: the murder of nine Iranian dissidents. The elusive assassin, nicknamed CASPIAN, kills across borders, forcing intelligence services throughout Europe into an alliance. Their only lead? An unsuspecting dentist in the UK. Aphra McQueen seems to know more about the operation than she is letting on. What will she uncover? What is she really up to? And can she survive the unexpected events that will bounce her from London to Birmingham to Paris to Lausanne? In the exhilarating chase that follows, Spies and Other Gods offers a vibrant, fresh and darkly funny take on the spy thriller that lays bare the human cost of secrecy.  

Spybrary's James Bond Book Club jumps back to 1966 to discuss Ian Fleming's final book of 007 short stories—Octopussy and The Living Daylights. The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion: spy fiction is exploding, and Fleming's legacy may be less about continuation novels and more about how he opened the floodgates for Len Deighton, John le Carré, Modesty Blaise, Quiller, and the entire "spy mania" era—on page and screen.

In this thriller author interview, Spywrite's Jeff Quest sits down with Ace Atkins to dive deep into his nostalgic Cold War spy novel Everybody Wants to Rule the World — a thrilling, 80s-set espionage adventure that blends suburban coming-of-age storytelling with high-stakes KGB intrigue. Support Spybrary on Patreon - help us keep the lights on at the Spybrary Safehouse Atkins shares how discovering Ian Fleming as a teenager transformed him into a lifelong spy fiction obsessive, eventually shaping his career as a bestselling author. The conversation explores the real-life espionage inspirations behind the novel, including infamous traitors Aldrich Ames, as well as the bizarre and often comedic true story of Soviet defector Vitaly Yurchenko. From suburban Atlanta in the mid-1980s to the paranoia of Reagan's Star Wars era, this episode captures the zeitgeist of a time when espionage dominated headlines — and imaginations. If you love Cold War spy fiction, 80s nostalgia, and tradecraft stranger than fiction, this episode is for you.  

Bryan Boling sits down for a spoiler-free chat with novelist Michael Idov, diving into The Cormorant Hunt, the standalone sequel to his acclaimed spy thriller The Collaborators. Idov discusses the challenge of writing a compelling antagonist in Felix Burnham—a fusion of Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate who pushes protagonist Ari Falk to his limits. They explore how real-world extremism, post-COVID paranoia, and disinformation influence modern spy fiction, and why setting stories in overlooked global locales adds authenticity. From the Reichsbürger to action-packed drone chases in Georgia (the country), Idov breaks down how topical fiction is crafted under the ticking clock of world events. Michael also shared some news about an upcoming spy thriller film he is directing with Noomi Rapace in the lead. Good news for the Brits, The Cormorant Hunt is scheduled to be released in the UK in May.  

In this gripping episode of the Spybrary Podcast, Adam Brookes sits down with journalist and author Toby Harnden to explore the legacy of his landmark book Bandit Country: The IRA and South Armagh. They dive into the hidden war fought in the rural heartlands of Northern Ireland during the Troubles, spotlighting the extraordinary reach of IRA intelligence and the massive British surveillance effort in response. Toby shares the story behind the book's unexpected reissue 25 years after its release, the shadowy figure of Tom "Slab" Murphy, and the dangerous tightrope journalists walked reporting from IRA strongholds. The conversation then pivots to the CIA, highlighting Harnden's acclaimed book First Casualty and his upcoming work on the Distinguished Intelligence Cross, the CIA's highest honor. Interview with Toby Harden author of Bandit Country Key Topics & Themes: Moral complexity of insurgency and counterinsurgency The reissue and enduring relevance of Bandit Country IRA intelligence structure and infiltration British military and surveillance operations in Northern Ireland The life and mythos of Tom "Slab" Murphy Journalistic risks during the Troubles CIA's post-9/11 mission in Afghanistan Distinguished Intelligence Cross and CIA recognition Timestamps & Segments: 00:00 — Intro & Guest Welcome Adam Brookes introduces Toby Harnden and his career journey from Royal Navy officer to war correspondent. 01:38 — The Revival of Bandit Country Why and how Toby's 1999 book returned to print 25 years later. 05:03 — Entering South Armagh: IRA Heartland A firsthand look at the rural guerrilla battlefield and IRA sniper teams. 08:34 — The Intelligence War How the IRA built an intelligence network using locals and public workers. 12:26 — The British Response Massive surveillance, SAS deployments, and the high-tech watchtowers. 15:56 — Reporting in Hostile Territory Toby recounts the dangers of reporting from Crossmaglen and Republican events. 20:15 — The Enigma of Tom "Slab" Murphy The pig farmer turned IRA chief of staff — smuggler, strategist, and shadow man. 24:24 — International Ties: Libya, PLO & FARC How the IRA networked globally and Murphy's role in Libyan arms deals. 28:00 — Motivation & Identity What really drove South Armagh fighters like Murphy—ideology, identity, or revenge? 30:59 — A History of Resistance The inherited culture of rebellion in South Armagh, going back a century. 33:16 — How Many Were Fighting? A few dozen active fighters in South Armagh vs. the full force of the British state. 38:29 — Lessons for Intelligence Agencies The CIA, MI5 & MI6—what they learned (or didn't) from the Troubles. 42:12 — Inside the CIA: First Casualty Toby's work on CIA's response to 9/11 and the birth of his next book project. 44:36 — The 39: CIA's Silent Heroes The untold stories behind the Distinguished Intelligence Cross. 48:02 — Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Work Why the CIA's frontline operatives are some of the most remarkable unsung heroes. 51:22 — Closing Thoughts & What's Next Final reflections and teasers for Toby's upcoming book, The 39. Follow Toby Harnden Buy Bandit Country Follow Adam Brookes Join the Spybrary Community