Spybrary Spy Podcast

Spy Rewind time - Jeff and Matthew take a look back at the early 2000's spy show Alias. Starring Jennifer Garner it was one of the first spy shows to air after 9/11 and catapulted numerous people both in front of and behind the camera to further success. The guys talk about the effect of 9/11 on spy shows, the changing look at gender roles for spies, whether it's a good or bad thing to have a mystery box and how hard it must be to spy in a belly shirt.

From acclaimed spy novelist Paul Vidich comes a taut new thriller following the attempted exfiltration of a KGB officer from the ever-changing—and always dangerous—USSR in the mid-1980s. Shane Whaley finds out more in this interview with author Paul Vidich. In Episode 146 of Spybrary with spy author Paul Vidich we discuss: What was Paul Vidich's inspiration for writing The Mercenary. What kind of reader The Mercenary appeals to? (Actioneers v Realistic) What drew Paul to write an espionage thriller? Moscow features heavily, we find out how Paul Vidich researched Moscow and he reveals how John Beryles the former US Ambassador to the Russian Federation 2008-12 helped him, Paul tells us more about the protagonist 'Garin.' We talk locations, settings and why the books was set in the Soviet Union of the mid-80s. Paul reveals that as part of his research, he read over 30 books including autobiographies of high-ranking KGB officers who successfully defected to the West. No wonder the tradecraft is so good in this! We learn more about some of the other characters in The Mercenary including Nataliya, Zyuganov, Petrov, Mueller, Talinov and Posner. 'But shed war of its glory and a soldier's job is to kill. It's that simple. And so, shed espionage of its popular mythology, the spy's job is to lie, deceive, and betray trust.' Shane asks Is The Mercenary a nod to John le Carre and The Spy Who Came In from the cold? The challenges of espionage writing and what are the fun parts! And much more including the world-famous Spybrary Quickfire round!

It is 1955 and we review the latest Ian Fleming James Bond 007 novel, Moonraker With David Craggs, author Simon Conway and Spybrary Host Shane Whaley. Episode is also available on YouTube. Details at www.spybrary.com/145

Today's episode of Spybrary is all about collecting spy books. This episode is also available on YouTube. We talk James Bond book trivia and see some of Tim's amazing Fleming novels. There are some beautiful association copies of Adam Hall books, Matthew shares details on how to collect an elusive Clancy first edition and a signed copy of one of Jimmy Sangster's spy novels with a great back story. All that plus tips and tricks from three folks who can't stop collecting books.

On today's Spybrary Spy Podcast, we turn our attention to Spy TV and the third and sadly final season of the British spy tv series The Sandbaggers starring Roy Marsden and created by Ian Mackintosh. Our panel are back to run the rule over The Sandbaggers Season 3.We are joined by Spybrary Podcast listeners, Hannah Cooper, Jeffrey Westhoff, and Paul Hodges of The Sandbaggers Facebook Group.

Today we are joined by author Mark Edlitz the author of the Lost Adventures of James Bond: Timothy Dalton's Third and Fourth Bond Films, James Bond Jr., and Other Unmade or Forgotten 007 Projects. He is expertly interviewed by James Bond Radio contributor Jack Lugo. Since this episode was recorded, Jack has launched his own 007 podcast - Bond and Banter. The James Bond universe is greater than you might think. Even if you have seen all the movies and devoured Ian Fleming's books, there is much more to discover about 007. There is a fascinating galaxy of Bond adventures that have been "lost" or unmade, out-of-print, or forgotten by even the most dedicated Bond fan. Through his probing interviews with their creators in THE LOST ADVENTURES OF JAMES BOND, Mark Edlitz uncovers different scenarios for Timothy Dalton's abandoned third and fourth Bond movies, questions Toby Stephens about playing 007 on the radio, delves into the unproduced Casino Royale play, and exposes the secret history of James Bond Jr, the animated series about 007's nephew. Edlitz also solves a long-standing Bond mystery, investigates the cheeky commercial which inserts Daniel Craig into a Roger Moore-style escapade, and reveals the story behind Sean Connery's lost Bond performance. These and other projects are revealed in this vastly entertaining and enlightening book. Using never-before-seen photographs, Edlitz uncovers a wealth of unexplored lore. THE LOST ADVENTURES OF JAMES BOND is a must for any Bond fan.

New York Times Bestselling Author Mark Greaney joins us today to share more about his latest Gray Man novel 'Relentless.' Mark tells us that Spybrary listeners can read Relentless as the first foray into the Court Gentry series. Mark Greaney also shares more about the upcoming Gray Man movie, his writing process and his future writing plans. This interview is hosted by Spybrary listener and fan of the Gray Man series, Kashif Hussein.

Spy bloggers Matthew Bradford and Jeff Quest launch a new series called Spy Rewind where they look at classic spy tv episodes and series. Today they take a look at Mission Impossible. Websites and Resources mentioned on Spy Rewind. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE: THE MIND OF STEFAN MIKLOS Summary - https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=about&p=346&item=T:12497 Mission: Impossible Blu Rays - https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Impossible-Original-TV-Blu-ray/dp/B08GFSYGNV Barbara Bain - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Bain The Complete Mission: Impossible Dossier - https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Mission-Impossible-Dossier/dp/0380758776 Matthew's review of season 7 (which links to previous season reviews) - https://doubleosection.blogspot.com/2011/11/dvd-review-mission-impossible-7th-tv.html Pluto TV's Mission: Impossible - https://pluto.tv/live-tv/mission-impossible Jeff Quest's Site - https://spywrite.com Matthew Bradford's Site - https://doubleosection.blogspot.com/

Mick Herron returns to the Spybrary Podcast to discusses his latest novel - Slough House. Mick is joined in conversation with our Man in London - David Craggs In his best and most ambitious novel yet, Mick Herron, "the le Carré of the future" (BBC), offers an unsparing look at the corrupt web of media, global finance, spycraft, and politics that power our modern world. "This is a darker, scarier Herron. The gags are still there but the satire's more biting. The privatization of a secret service op and the manipulation of news is relevant and horribly credible."—Ann Cleeves, author of the Vera Stanhope series

Today we decode a brush pass transmission, a spy book review of Simon Conway's The Agent Runner. Author and Spy Book fan, Stephen England gives us his brush pass spy book review of The Agent Runner by Simon Conway

SPYFLIX is a new spy movie and tv festival focused on secrets presented by our friends at SPYSCAPE. Spybrary host Shane Whaley got together with SPYSCAPE's Marketing Director, Francis Jago to find out more. The SPYFLIX festival will highlight new voices and stories focused on secrets. The festival is now accepting submissions through 28 February 2021 and will kick off screenings starting 18 April 2021… What is SPYFLIX? Secrets intrigue us, and they make great stories. Their universal appeal lies deep in our psyche. Inside each secret is a structured who, what, how & why that powers franchises from James Bond to Batman, and from Harry Potter to Sherlock Holmes. Secrets also power factual stories across news and current affairs, history and politics. Our panel of writers, directors, producers and secret intelligence professionals (spies!) will select new work for awards with major cash prizes, and screening in our online festival. Entries are now open. We know there are several indy moviemakers who listen to Spybrary and we would love to see you enter and win! SPYFLIX is presented by SPYSCAPE - the HQ of secrets. SPYSCAPE has millions of fans hungry for great stories of secrets. Selected works may also receive exposure on SPYSCAPE's other channels, including acclaimed podcasts hosted by Hollywood superstars Hayley Atwell, Vanessa Kirby and Jason Isaacs. --

Author CP Bennison gives us the lowdown on Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd in this brush pass spy book review. Did you know every week we curate all the major spy book, tv and movies news into an easy to read, quick emails? Join the Spybrary Intelligence Service at www.spybrary.com

Today we decode a brush pass transmission sent in by Australian author and Spy Book fan, Aiden L Bailey. He gives us his brush pass spy book review of The Power of the Dog and The Cartel by Don Winslow and tells us why he thinks spy fans will enjoy these two Don Winslow novels. Aiden also shares his thoughts on the various sub-genres that make up the spy genre and why Don Winslow fits both the cerebral and action spy genres.

Jason King returns to the Spybrary Podcast for his annual Christmas address to share his favourite spy books of 2020 as well as what he is looking forward to in 2021. This is the most requested feature of Spybrary, requested by spouses, friends, and relatives who purchase Christmas presents for loved ones based on the Jason King picks. (I kid you not!) Also on this episode of the Spybrary Podcast, Jason King and Spybrary Host Shane Whaley discuss: The legacy of John le Carré (A round table discussion in 2021 is planned but we could not resist the opportunity to chat about the spy books of John le Carré. Why Jason King lovess the Spy TV show , le Bureau! Jason shares his top 3 favorite books of 2020. What spy books, movie and tv is Jason looking forward to in 2021. What does Jason look for in a good book - advice for budding spy book writers. And Much More!!! Jason King's 2020 Picks are: The Stranger by Simon Conway Box 88 by Charles Cumming The Englishman by David Gilman

Jeff Quest (Spywrite) chats with the author of Paranoid Visions, Joseph Oldham. Paranoid Visions explores the history of the spy and conspiracy genres on British television, from 1960s Cold War series through 1980s conspiracy dramas to contemporary 'war on terror' thrillers. It analyses classic dramas including Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Edge of Darkness, A Very British Coup, and Spooks. This book will be an invaluable resource for television scholars interested in a new perspective on the history of television drama and intelligence scholars seeking an analysis of the popular representation of espionage with a strong political focus, as well as fans of cult British television and general readers interested in British cultural history.

Tonight we report the sad news that John le Carre has passed away. Jeff Quest of Spywrite recorded this episode in 2019 looking at the life of John le Carre. Spybrary host Shane Whaley announces a special upcoming episode of Spybrary where he will broadcast your tributes to John le Carre. Record your tributes to John le Carre here.

'An espionage thriller from the golden age of such outings.' Today we decode a brush pass transmission sent in by Spybrary listener Andy Onyx. Andy gives us his brush pass spy movie review of The Internecine Project. 'According to the dictionary, internecine means destructive to both sides in a conflict. So let's just hold that thought with the rhythm of its syllables in the three-word title the internecine project, which lets us know what we're in for. An espionage thriller from the golden age of such outings.

We are joined today by spy author C P Bennison, author of Parallel Shadows which reveals how, in 1930s London, two young secretaries became spies for opposing sides. Against the backdrop of the Second World War, and subsequently the Cold War, the novel fictionalizes the true stories of Olga Grey, who became an MI5 double agent, and Letty Norwood, who was a major spy for the Soviet Union. This is the Spybrary Tea Break - short interviews with spy authors.

Today we decode a brush pass transmission sent in by Spybrary listener Andy Onyx. He gives us his brush pass spy book review of Rage by Simon Conway. Jonah Said is a man with nowhere left to run. Hunted, haunted, and bearing the horrific scars of a life spent on the frontline of some of the world's bloodiest battlefields, he's not what you'd call a model soldier. That's why the British Army has shipped him to the Zone—a lawless strip of desert between Iraq and Kuwait where everything is for sale and nothing is what it seems. From the moment he lands, Jonah is in over his head. Drawn into a ruthless world of corruption, he's about to learn that in the Zone, life is cheap…and the truth is deadly..

Day of the Jackal meets The Wicker Man. Author Andy Onyx joins us on our Spybrary Tea Break to share more about his latest book The Glimmer Girl. In the earliest days of World War One, a fateful meeting between Commander Smith-Cumming, Chief of the Secret Service Bureau and a mysterious stranger, results in a diabolical bargain. Stricken by events that follow , the Commander seizes an opportunity for atonement and vengeance by initiating Operation BARBELL, the outcome of which will echo long into the next century. London, the near future: The world is gripped by the cryptic threat of the elusive Eighth Day movement, a seemingly benign cult readying themselves to take internal action to destabilise the current world order. Determined to foil the movement's scheme, the Secret Intelligence Service selected a gifted recruit, Siobhan Uhuru-Behan, for their reactivated BARBELL project, a mysterious and clandestine cell dedicated to threats of an unexplained nature. Code-named GLIMMER , Siobhan is tasked with investigating and disrupting Eighth Day and its disciples. Plunged into a nefarious race against time, Siobhan and her fellow BARBELL operatives set out on the trail of the cult. But can a long-mothballed project a century in the planning really combat the threats of tomorrow? GLIMMER has eight days to prove it.

It is 1954 and we review the latest Ian Fleming James Bond 007 spy novel, Live and Let Die. With David Craggs, Ian Douglas and Shane Whaley

Spybrary Spy Book Podcast host Shane Whaley takes time away from the East German Desk to enjoy a 15 minute tea break with spy authors. Today Derek Thompson, author of spy thriller novel Standpoint tells us more about his first book in his Thomas Bladen spy thriller series.

Ben Macintyre, author of Agent Sonya makes his debut on the Spybrary Spy Book podcast. Ben sits down with author, journalist, and special agent Tim Shipman to share more about his latest spy non-fiction book. I am embarrassed to say I knew nothing about Soviet spy Ursula Burton. Though there are some very familiar names in this book, notables include Richard Sorge, Klaus Fuchs, Roger Hollis, Alexander Foote and many more. As we have come to expect with Ben Macintyre's writing, Agent Sonya is filled with detail but told in the manner of a gripping spy novel rather than a dry academic tome. Ben discusses how he is enjoying his role as a consultant on the new TV series about Kim Philby and how he is enjoying reading the script based on his book A Spy Among Friends. Ben reveals his next project is a narrative history of Colditz which is due out in 2022

What is The James Bond Book Club? Set in the 1950s as the Ian Fleming James Bond books are released, Spybrary Spy Book Podcast hosts David Craggs and Shane Whaley plus a special guest will review the latest Ian Fleming 007 novel. In this episode, spy author, Jeremy Duns joins Shane and David to give you their opinions on Ian Fleming's debut novel Casino Royale.

If you are fascinated by the Portland Spy Ring you are going to love this. If you know nothing about the Portland Spy Ring you are going to love this. I often say that spy fact is often more intriguing than spy fiction and that is what we get in Trevor Barnes' book Dead Doubles. Author Trevor Barnes joins us on the Spybrary Spy Book Podcast to share more about this fascinating story of spying and counter-intelligence. He is expertly debriefed by guest host Chris Carr, the host and producer of the Secrets and Spies Podcast.

Author and Spy Book fan, Andy Onyx gives us his brush pass spy book review of The Human Factor by Graham Greene.

Today sees the release of John le Carre's most recent work, Agent Running In The Field in paperback. To celebrate its publication, John le Carre fan and Spybrarian Clarissa Aykroyd deliver us a quick brush pass review about Agent Running In The Field. Following Clarissa's review of the novel, you can hear from John le Carre himself as he reads Chapter 1 of Agent Running In The Field for us.

What is The James Bond Book Club? Set in the 1950s as the Ian Fleming James Bond books are released, Spybrary Spy Book Podcast hosts David Craggs and Shane Whaley plus a special guest will review the latest Ian Fleming 007 novel. In this episode, Shane and David discuss the themes they hope to explore as they embark on a journey through the Ian Fleming James Bond novels. On the James Bond Book Club, we will dissect each 007 novel in order and by : 1) Discussing the timing of each book. The year in which it was written. The zeitgeist of that time. Key historic and cultural events. 2) Background to the plot and any links to Fleming's personal experiences. 3) The U.K. first edition cover art. 4) The plot. 5) Locations 6) Bond's character development. 7) The Villain. 8) La femme fatale. 9) The supporting cast. 10) The branding. 11) Key set pieces and the best chapters. 12) Critical reception We will not be referring to or discussing the 007 movies. We will only be referencing previous books rather than those published in the future - as if we are experiencing the work of Fleming for the first time. More details soon.

Spybrary, the Spy Book Podcast's David Craggs interviews spy thriller author Simon Conway about his life in the military, clearing land mines, and writing spy books. Simon has had five novels published including A Loyal Spy, winner of the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger. His latest novel The Stranger is published on August 13th.

On this episode, Spywrite's Jeff Quest talks with Josh Pachter about the mid eighties digest Espionage Magazine. It was dedicated to doing something we hadn't seen before. Printing short spy fiction. Josh has been a published author since he was 16 years old and had numerous pieces published in that magazine and has had pieces published in various magazines over the years. And to that effect, he's the most recent recipient of the Short Fiction Mystery Society's Golden Derringer. Josh's latest project is the misadventures of Nero Wolfe, a collection of parodies and pastiches about one of the great 20th century detectives. If you're interested in that project, you can hear more about it in an interview. I did with Josh, for my podcast, Like the Wolfe, but let's turn to spies first."

Today on the Spybrary Spy Book Podcast we decode an extended brush pass transmission sent in by Spybrary listener Chris Lueloff. Chris recently read 3 Charles McCarry novels and shares with us why he is now one of his favourite spy authors.

More Spy TV round table discussion on the Spybrary Spy Podcast. Our panel is back to run the rule over The Sandbaggers Season 2. Don't forget to check out our earlier episode where we reviewed season one of The Sandbaggers.

Today we decode an extended brush pass transmission sent in by Jason King and a very special guest. Jason gives us the lowdown on Peter O'Donnell's Modesty Blaise

On today's Spybrary Spy Podcast, spy fans talk about The Rhythm Section, a movie produced by EON (of James Bond fame) starring Blake Lively and Jude Law. Tune in and listen to Spybrarians Mike, Jon, Matthew and Chris who give you their assessment of The Rhythm Section. Spybrary Spy Podcast host Shane Whaley reads out comments from other Spybrarians (another epic reason to join our Spybrary Listeners Facebook Group) and delivers his verdict on The Rhythm Section.

Antony Johnston is a bestselling writer and podcaster whose best-known espionage work is The Coldest City, the graphic novel that the movie ATOMIC BLONDE was based on. He has his second book in the Bridgette Sharp spy series, The Tempus Project, coming out at the end of May in the UK and the first book, The Exphoria Code, is currently scheduled to be released in the US in October.

Brush Pass with Bill Koenig. The long-running U.S. panel show To Tell The Truth had a panel trying to determine who of three people had performed some feat or had some career, etc. At least four times, the show had people who worked in intelligence. One was John Le Carre. Others were Eric Ericsson, who posed as a traitor in World War II and wrote a book called The Counterfeit Traitor. It was made into a movie starring William Holden. Others were Pawal Monat, a Polish spy who defected and the other was Eddie Chapman, who was a double agent for the British against the Nazis.

Karl Gunnar øen shares his appreciation for the spy books of Anthony Price. He also gives us his recommendation of which of his spy novels should be your first if you are new to Price's work. Karl also reveals some of his favourite Anthony Price books. Show notes at www.spybrary.com/109

On today's Spybrary Spy Podcast, we turn our attention to Spy TV and the British spy tv series The Sandbaggers starring Roy Marsden and created by Ian Mackintosh.

Jeff Gelb pays tribute to Andy East, a friend of almost 40 years who has passed away. Andy East loved spy movies, tv and books and wrote The Cold War File. Andy brought a lot of spy fiction knowledge to the Spybrary community and will be sadly missed by us all. Andy East RIP

The Spy Command's Bill Koenig records a Brush Pass following the passing of illustrator Mort Drucker. Bill shares more with us about Mort Drucker's work illustrating James Bond parodies. John le Carre's The Spy Who Came In From The Cold also comes in for the Drucker treatment.

Peter Newman send us in his brush pass review of A Man of Some Repute by Elizabeth Edmondson.

Author and former member of the Intelligence Corps Rossa McPhillips shares more about his first novel - a spy thriller set in Northern Ireland. Rossa also shares more about his real-life experiences working in the shadows and we put him through his paces in the world-famous Spybrary Quick Fire Round.

Matthew Kresal sends us in his Brush Pass Review of Parting Shot by James Kunetka

Bill Koenig of The Spy Command records a brush pass following the passing of Robert Conrad. He shares more about the Wild Wild West - where spies meet cowboys

In this episode, writer Jeremy Duns and Jeff Quest take a look at the good, the bad and the ugly of spy book titles. They discuss some of their favorites, alternate titles, translated titles and the many pitfalls authors face when determining a book title.

On Episode 101 of the Spybrary Podcast, our guest host, journalist and author Michael Smith chats with Geoff Andrew about his new book: Agent Molière: The Life of John Cairncross, the Fifth Man of the Cambridge Spy Circle.

As part of the 100th episode celebrations, we invited Spybrary listeners to call in and share with us which authors and books they have discovered because of the Spybrary Podcast.

Not many podcasts reach Episode 100, let alone a spy podcast. So on this our 100th episode, Spywrite's Jeff Quest turns the tables on Spybrary Spy Podcast Host Shane Whaley. Jeff artfully employs his Sarratt training to put Whaley through a gentle but thorough debrief. Listen to Episode 100 of Spybrary to learn more about the origins of Spybrary, how the podcast is put together, Shane's journey of reading and spy literature and of course there is the quickfire round!

After 98 episodes, it comes to this....

Buck Henry, Get Smart and the 1960s spy craze. Brush Pass (98) With the Spy Command's Bill Koenig,