Spybrary Spy Podcast

Thrilling, evocative and hugely controversial, Codename: Hero blows apart the myths surrounding one of the Cold War's greatest spy operations and potentially it's greatest spy Oleg Penkovsky In the late 1950s the USSR appeared to be winning the arms race: their 1949 nuclear test signaled a direct challenge to the West, changing the face of the Cold War overnight. In 1961 Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space, and fear escalated in the US and UK. Amidst this climate, KGB Colonel, Oleg Penkovsky desperate to defect, came knocking on the doors of the CIA and MI6. The information he provided as a double operative would change the course of history. Pour the whiskey, get cozy, and buckle up for an eye-opening, mind-blowing look at Oleg Penkovsky, the KGB Colonel-turned-double-agent. Author Jeremy Duns, taking break from writing fiction, has penned a reinvestigation of the Penkovsky Operation, titled Dead Drop in the UK and Code Name: Hero in the US. Those of us unfamiliar with this 'spy who saved the world' are in for a wild ride as Spybrary Host Shane Whaley and Jeremy Duns consider a world without Penkovsky's aid to the West: Would we have descended into nuclear war? What would the outcome of the Bay of Pigs and Cuban Missile crisis have been without Penkovsky's crucial information? Those of us well-versed in Cold War history will thrill to hear Duns' original take on the Cold War's most dangerous operation. In fact, Penkovsky's information was so good, the CIA had to convince President Kennedy it came from multiple sources, lest the Commander-in-Chief worry that they were relying too heavily on one agent. This episode is satisfyingly chock-full of juicy information, including: Penkovsky's deft use of spycraft: learn how he circumvented surveillance to pull of the most famous brush pass in espionage history. How the Penkovsky trial has influenced popular culture: from 1960's TV spy series to the Avengers. The balancing act the CIA and MI6 had in dealing with Penkovsky's difficult personality. Other double agents of the time: the sad, lonely life of Greville Wynne; and Pyotr Popov, who turned double agent for the KGB to save his life after being caught, and who, like Penkovsky, was ultimately arrested, tried, and executed by the Soviets. How the CIA tried to prevent Jeremy Duns from publishing some details of his book.

Forever and a Day review by the Spybrary Podcast. Listen to our round table of Bond fans who give you their review of the latest Anthony Horowitz 007 novel 007 is dead. Long live 007. The heavily anticipated James Bond prequel, "Forever and a Day" by Anthony Horowitz is finally out, and Shane has brought together two Bond super-fans to discuss it. If your copy hasn't arrived yet, fear not! Sit back, relax, and enjoy a spoiler-free round table chat with David Craggs, who joined Shane for Episode #23's Dead Drop 5, and Tom, who runs literary007.com, and featured in one of Spybrary's earliest episodes, appropriately, #007. In exploring this latest edition to the Bond canon, David provides an in-depth comparison of Horowitz's Bond continuation novels to several previous authors of the series. Who captures Fleming's tone and character the best? Find out why Tom thinks Fleming's style is so hard to capture. Does the book follow 'Bond lore' accurately? Shane suggests author Mr Horowitz should hire David to be his Bond expert fact checker as David reveals details that don't quite match up with established Bond facts! In true Spybrary fashion, David and Tom are not afraid to critique the book's weaknesses at the same time extolling its strengths, which are far more numerous. With the depth and breadth of knowledge worthy of true Bond aficionados, our panelists take a seriously deep dive into Fleming as an author, intelligence official, and human being. Why are Fleming and le Carre so often compared? How does the character of Bond hold up in today's #metoo era?

On today's episode of the Spybrary Spy Podcast, Jeff Quest of Spywrite joins us to reveal the results of our Spybrary Shelf of Fame 2018. Which 7 spy books made it on the shelf? The categories were: Pre Cold War Spy Novels Cold War Spy Books Post Cold War Spy Books. Hit play and listen in as Jeff shares the voting results. (The books themselves will appear hear soon - we do not want to ruin the suspense before you listen in.) Links and Resources to follow.

Tom Colgan is our special guest on episode 44 of the Spybary Spy Podcast with Shane Whaley Tom is an Editorial Director of Berkley Books which is an imprint of Penguin Random House. Over a thirty year (actually 33 but who's counting?) publishing career he has worked with many authors including Tom Clancy, Mark Greaney and Janet Evanovich. He's edited numerous books that have been bestsellers and won Edgar, and Anthony Awards as well. Now Shane gets to turn the tables and interview this veteran book editor! What is Dead Drop 5? Agent Tom Colgan finds himself embedded deep in Communist-controlled East Berlin, and has asked his handler to leave him 5 of his favorite spy books at their Dead Drop location in Friedrichshain Park. What will he choose to help him cope with life undercover? Having edited thousands of books in a 30+year career which books will Tom pick out? Listen to Episode 44 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast to find out what he picks out and why!

This week, Spybrary Spy Podcast Host Shane Whaley welcomes author and travel writer August Thomas to speak about her debut novel, Liar's Candle. Liar's Candle is set against the backdrop of a terror attack in Ankara, Turkey. In the aftermath, protagonist Penny Kessler embarks upon a pan-European adventure to uncover the perpetrators. Living by her wits, Kessler teams up with Connor Beauregard, a former naval officer with something to prove, as they try to crack the case. In a delightful, wide-ranging conversation, August and Shane discuss the rarity of women in spy literature, both as authors and substantive characters. They also highlight authors, films, and characters to look out for who buck this trend – not least of which is August herself! Stay tuned to hear more.

Today's guest finds himself embedded deep in Communist-controlled East Berlin, and has asked his handler to leave him 5 of his favorite spy books at their Dead Drop location in Friedrichshain Park. What will he choose to help him cope with life undercover? Author, Spy Fan and Political Editor of the Sunday Times, Tim Shipman, joins Shane for an epic edition of Dead Drop 5. Tim has been a national newspaper journalist since 1997, and in that time has covered two wars, an historic presidential election, and was the Sunday Telegraph's Washington, DC correspondent. Shortlisted three years in a row (2015-2017) for Political Journalist of the Year at the National Press Awards (UK), Tim Shipman has covered movers and shakers all over the globe. Now Shane gets to turn the tables and interview this veteran journalist. Tim's 2000-book library in his London home is dominated by spy books. But a spy must travel light: how will he carve it down to just 5? …this is DEAD DROP FIVE on the Spybrary Spy Podcast.

On Episode 41 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast we serve up a recorded Spybrary panel discussion from Spycon 2018. On the panel, host Shane Whaley was joined by authors Mike Brady (Into the Shadows) and C.G.Faulkner (The Edge of Reality.) The Michael Brady File Lieutenant Colonel Michael Brady, USA, (RET), earned his MS in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University in Washington, DC in 2003. His classified thesis focused on the current and emerging issues confronting China and Taiwan and Taiwan's ability to retain sovereignty into the future. He has performed a wide variety of tactical and strategic intelligence functions including long-range surveillance, interrogation, intelligence analysis, collection management, emergency operations, and intelligence production. He served as the Director, Presidential Emergency Operations Center in the White House from January 2001 until July 2002 under President George W. Bush. LTC Brady is a 1990 graduate of The Citadel, Marine Corps Command and General Staff College, Joint Forces Staff College, US Army Airborne School and US Army Ranger School. His areas of expertise and research include threats to the homeland, intelligence collection systems and programs, intelligence analysis, and intelligence support to national policy making. The C.G.Faulkner File C.G. Faulkner has been writing stories since childhood. He has, so far, published a Western Trilogy about Captain Tom Fortner; as well as a Spy Trilogy about Tom's descendant, C.I.A. Agent Jeff Fortner. He has published a story for younger readers, 'The Adventures of the Home for Supper Kids', and now 'The Unexpected-Tales of Mystery and Suspense'. Other stories are being written for future publication. Mr. Faulkner lives on a small farm in Georgia with his wife and children. In addition to writing, he enjoys reading, (His favorite authors are Bernard Cornwell, John Jakes, Jeff Shaara, Elmore Leonard and Ian Fleming, among others) studying history and genealogy, watching classic movies and television, doing farmwork, helping his wife homeschool their children, and the great outdoors. We riff all over the place on this along with audience participation. Some of the topics we cover included: How authors with full time jobs find time to write. How Mike and CG research locations for their books. Who are their literary heroes Which writer inspired Mike Brady to join the Intelligence Services. What makes a great fictional spy character Shane shares what kind of spy fiction he doesn't enjoy What the audience are reading right now Does the government/military have to approve Mike Brady's novels before publication And Much More including CG Faulkner's interrogation in the Quick Fire Round.

What are your favorite Spy Books? Spybrary is holding a vote for the Spybrary Shelf of Fame, choose from over 100 spy books suggested by our listeners Spybrary needs you to vote for your favorite Spy novels. What Spy Books would make your shelf of fame? Spybrarian in Chief – Jeff Quest of SpyWrite canvassed Spybrary listeners for their 5 favorite spy books. He has channeled his inner 'Connie Sachs' to index the hundreds of spy book suggestions and categorize them as follows: – Pre-Cold War set novels – Cold War set novels – Post-Cold War novels. The top Pre-Cold War spy book, top five Cold War spy books, and top spy Post-ColdWar book will be inducted into the Spybrary Shelf of Fame.

On Episode 39, Spybrary Spy Podcast host Shane Whaley brings you interviews from the inaugural Spy Con. Shane caught up with former Spybrary Podcast guests Lt Col Michael Brady (author of Into the Shadows) and Matthew Kresal. He also got to chat Ian Fleming books with RC Layton who owns over 400 Ian Fleming related 007 books and James Strickland the owner of several James Bond tribute cars. Shane talks about his experience on various Spy Con panels including defending John le Carre on the Ian Fleming versus John le Carre 'debate.' Listen in as Shane reveals who he thinks the match up on the debate should have been between. Episode 40 of Spybrary will be a full recording of the Spy Con Spybrary Panel with authors CG Faulkner and Michael Brady.

And now for something completely different. A spy story that is not set in Berlin, DC, London or Moscow but in Ottawa, Canada of all places. On Episode 38 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast author Joyce Wayne reveals more about her novel 'Last Night of the World'. 'On a hot Ottawa night in August 1945, Soviet agent Freda Linton's world is about to fall apart. She's spent the war infiltrating the highest levels of the Canadian government as an undercover operative for the fledging Canadian Communist Party and for Moscow's military police. As the global conflict nears its conclusion, her Soviet embassy handler and darling of the diplomatic scene Nikolai Zabotin sends her to retrieve atomic secrets from the Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories. When Freda discovers that Soviet cipher clerk Igor Gouzenko plans to turn over top secret files to the RCMP that will expose Freda and the others in her spy ring, she is faced with an impossible decision and must determine who is on her side. Should she risk everything to smuggle out nuclear secrets that will kick off the Cold War? Joyce Wayne's Last Night of the World brings a high-energy creativeness and emotional tension to a story that is rooted in a generation's defining incident."

On Episode 31, Professor Penny Fielding of Edinburgh University (and organiser of Edinburgh spy week) told Spybrary listeners that she felt the spy novel with the most convincing female characters is Restless by William Boyd. Spybrary podcast listener Clarissa Aykroyd has some well documented issues on the portrayal females in spy books. She loves the work of John le Carre and admits that even his female characters are pretty thin. So she sought out Restless and very kindly brush pass reviewed the novel for us. We have extracted the transmission from the disk that came in the Spybrary diplomatic bag and decoded for you. Just click the play button or listen on these various platforms. What did Clarissa think of Restless? What did Clarissa think of the female characters? Was Professor Fielding right to claim William Boyd's novel is the best spy book when it comes to female characters? Listen in and find out.

Former Intelligence Expert and Journalist Michael Smith talks to Spybrary about his debut fiction novel No Man Dies Twice. English journalist Michael Smith (Killer Elite and Foley the Spy Who Saved 10,000 Jews) has penned his first ever fiction novel. On this our 36th episode of the Spybrary Spy Podcast, host Shane Whaley talks to Smith about his new book, what jobs he carried out working for British Intelligence, what he did at the BBC Monitoring Service and what spy fiction he enjoys reading today. Plus Much More! One spy has been sent to assassinate Hitler. One spy has been sent to stop him. A single policeman is all that stands in the way of changing history. Set in Nazi Germany during World War 2, No Man Dies Twice follows a hard working detective (Ritter) who investigates a murder in the small Bavarian town of Rosenheim. The death is no ordinary killing and Ritter is determined to get to the bottom of it despite the local Gestapo efforts to stop him. With evidence showing the body belong belonged to a member of the White Rose resistance movement this is no ordinary murder. Ritter is no supporter of the Nazi regime and risks his life to investigate the case. "Riveting…Smith takes us into an area of wartime Germany we have rarely read about before." —Joseph Heywood, New York Times bestselling author of The Berkut and The Domino Conspiracy So has Spybrary started interviewing crime authors now? Not at all, No Man Dies Twice is inspired by records Michael Smith unearthed at the National Archives back in the 90s. The files concerned Operation Foxley - a British SOE (special forces) to assassinate the Fuhrer. Detailed preparations were made but the audacious plan was not carried out. But what if the British had sent someone to kill Hitler? Read No Man Dies Twice to find out what Smith thinks might have happened. Not all Brits want to see Hitler dead...Intrigued. You should be. Smith who once listened in to East German Military Officers and Socialist Party officials, not to mention deliver intelligence to the British SAS as part of his day job has mixed together a heady cocktail of spies, detectives, mystery, crime, Gestapo, British Intelligence. No Man Dies Twice is Spybrary approved and recommended! On Episode 36 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast Michael Smith reveals: How declassified National Archive files gave him the inspiration to write No Man Dies Twice More about his main character - hard working detective Peter Ritter More about the White Rose Resistance movement Why he chose Rosenheim for the main location of his book Despite being kicked out of school at 15, he went on to served in the Intelligence Corps learning several languages (is he really Bernard Samson?) and became a journalist for national British newspapers. Which spy thriller writer he reckons gets it close to the real thing, surprise, its not John le Carre! Advice for new writers. Michael Smith shares with us why he thinks creative writing courses can be good for new writers and should not be dismissed! And Much Much More!

Its time to party like its 1989 on this edition of the Spybrary Spy Podcast. Spybrarian Gary Dexter recently visited the Wende Museum and has transmitted his brush pass review of the Wende Museum for fellow Spy and Cold War Fans. Gary reveals why the Wende Museum is a must visit for Spybrarians. The Mission of the Wende Museum: Preserve, Inspire, Explore The mission of the Wende Museum is to preserve Cold War art, culture, and history from the Soviet Bloc countries, inspire a broad understanding of the period, and explore its enduring legacy. Named for the Wende (pronounced "venda"), a German word meaning "turning point" or "change" that has come to describe the transformative period leading up to and following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the Wende Museum: collects and preserves artwork, artifacts, archives, films, and personal histories from Cold War–era Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union relating to the period 1945–1991; challenges and engages the public through experimental exhibitions and interdisciplinary programming inspired by the collection; illuminates the past and informs the present through creative collaborations with contemporary artists and designers; and promotes rigorous scholarship, educates students, and stimulates general interest through lectures, symposia, and publications.

Spybrary Podcast: Episode 34 With Author MICK HERRON! In this very special episode of the Spybrary Podcast, Shane turns the mic over to special agent David Craggs (from Episode 23) who interviews award-winning British author Mick Herron about his Slough House spy series. Often called 'the heir to John le Carré,' Herron's popularity and critical acclaim has been (rightly) gathering momentum over the past several years. Spybrary is thrilled to bring you this special one-on-one interview of an author who is sure to be at the top of the best-seller lists for decades to come! No spoilers here, so listen away – even if you haven't read the series. We're sure you will want to after hearing this! Press play and hear Mick Herron reveal… …how and why he shifted from writing crime novels to spy novels. …why 'failure' was his inspiration for the series. …why he likes writing from the point of view of flawed, even unlikable, characters. …how real-life events influence his writing. …what is next for the Slough House series. ...how Spybrary contributor Jeff Quest tracked down the actual Slough House (check out the photo of Slough House here!) Plus: Hear Mick read from his latest novel in the Slough House series, London Rules. (Bonus points if you catch the reference to Homer's Odyssey). A Slough House TV adaptation is in the works: David and Mick discuss potential casting. Shane returns to interrogate Mick in the Quick Fire round – find out the author's favorite spy novel!

Yesterday's Spy by Len Deighton is the subject of our Brush Pass Review. Listen in to this bite size review from Spybrary contributor Agent Palmer.

About John Le Carre and the Cold War Toby Manning recently published his work which critically examines John Le Carre and the Cold War. Toby joins Shane Whaley on the Spybrary Spy Podcast to tell us more.

On Episode 32 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast, host Shane Whaley discovers more about Edinburgh Spy Week 2018 with one of the organisers, Professor Penny Fielding. Penny reveals a stellar line up of speakers who will be starring at the fifth Edinburgh Spy Week. Can't make Edinburgh? This interview is still worth listening to you as Shane finds out more about Prof Fielding's love for spy literature and movies. It's fun being a podcaster. I just got to chat for over an hour with an English Literature Professor all about spy books. Not my usual Saturday afternoon company Edinburgh Spy Week is a unique public event that focuses on espionage fiction and film and the ways in which secrecy and spying run through our history and culture. They bring together creative practitioners and academic researchers to talk about books and ideas in public and accessible ways. These are some of the topics we cover on Episode 32: What exactly is Edinburgh Spy Week 2018?- When is it? - Where is it? - What's in the programme? - Who is speaking? - what's the cost? - how can people register? Penny shares with us the origins of Edinburgh Spy Week and how it got started. What is Penny's favourite session since the inaugural Edinbrugh Spy Week How Professor Fielding become interested in espionage books and movies. Why is spy fiction so male-dominated (both in authors, and in readership) as opposed to a genre such as mystery? What does Professor Fielding think of the female characters in John Le Carre's spy novels? Which spy authors does she think portrays female characters credibly? Which spy book does she think has the best written female characters? If Spybrary could arrange for Prof. Fielding to meet John Le Carre over a cup of tea in Cornwall what would she ask him? As an English Literature Professor and the organiser of Edinburgh Spy Week 2018 what does she feel is the gold standard of spy fiction writing? As a fan of Le Carre's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy what is her take on the tv adaptation of the novel and the movie version. If she could be a character in a spy book or movie, who would she choose? And Much Much More! (Including, as you would expect from an English Lit Professor tons of book recommendations!) Edinburgh Spy Week 2018 Line Up

Billed as 'Spy Con celebrates espionage and Spy Fiction in all media from literature to television and film. Come be a special agent for the weekend!' Spybrary Host Shane Whaley was keen to find out more, so he got chatting with one of the organizers of Spy Con Matt Sherman who was kind enough to come on the podcast to share more with our listeners. On this episode of the Spybrary Spy Podcast, Matt reveals more about the first ever Spy Con, including who is lined up to speak and what special exhibits may be on show! One of the special guests will be James Bond Girl Plenty O'Toole whose swimming pool landing provides one of the best lines in any 007 movie! Matt admits Spy Con will be a bit 'Bond top heavy' but will include discussion, content and fans from other spy shows including The Man from UNCLE, The Avengers and many more. There is also a Spy School track on offer. 'Don't miss out on hearing real spies talk about their experiences, as well as studying the works of Fleming, Le Carre and others for information on how to do everything from avoid detection to kill someone with your pinky finger (not really!).' Matt also shares with us how you could be a speaker or panelist at Spy Con. A splendid opportunity for spy geeks and authors to share their knowledge with like minded spy fans. Of course, Shane takes the opportunity to ask Matt more about his Bond location tours, 007 collection and of course he is interrogated sorry questioned in the quick fire round! For more information visit Spy Con Official Website. SPYBRARY COMMENT - This is the first ever Spy Con event I would love to see these happen every year so if you can get yourself down to Atlanta please do consider registering. I will be attending and supporting the event and I would love to meet Spybrary listeners there. Rumour has it a certain Jack Barsky, the East German born KGB sleeper agent will be attending too! In this illuminating interview Matt also reveals: Who in the James Bond novels, other than 007 would he like to meet and why What he would ask Ian Fleming if he had a time machine and went back in time What his favourite item of his 007 collection is And what he must own that he doesn't right now Out of the 300 007 locations he has visited, which is his all time favourite Out of the very few locations left which one tops his list to visit And Much More About Matt Sherman of BondFanEvents.com Matt Sherman, one of the world's top James Bond experts, has collected James Bond books, and movie props for more than 35 years. His Bond memorabilia and his fan meets have featured on C-SPAN, DISCOVERY, HGTV, VH-1, TLC, TNN and in Ripley's Believe It or Not! More than 120 special guests have appeared at Sherman's events, including Bond actors, authors and filmmakers, along with real world intelligence officers (the preferred euphemism for secret agents) from the FBI,CIA, NSA and the KGB. A Bond locations maven, Sherman has led fan tours to hundreds of Bond film and book locations. His contributions have appeared in The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Parade Magazine, Time and now on the Spybrary Spy Podcast.

Thriller Author Tim Stevens, the man behind the John Purkiss books talks to Spybrary Today we are joined by a spy author who Jeremy Duns says 'should be as well known as Lee Child.' Spywrite.com and Spybrary contributor Jeff Quest also gives our guests' first spy novel 'Ratcatcher' a big thumbs up. (Hear Jeff talk about his favourite spy novels on Episode 008 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast.) The author is Mr Tim Stevens who joins us today to talk about his main spy character John Purkiss who features in a series of 6 spy novels. Tim has self published 16 novels which he has managed to write whilst being a full time practicing physician. He is also married with 3 kids and a cat so listen in as he shares his tips on how to make time for writing and why you should consider self-publishing. He also announces news on the eagerly awaited 7th Purkiss novel. On Episode 29 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast, author Tim Stevens shares with us What is it about the spy thriller genre that appeals to him. Why Adam Hall and Alistair McLean are some of his favourite authors. How he found John Le Carre's work 'impenetrable' on a first read but grew to appreciate the novels later in life. Which authors have inspired him He talks us through his writing and main characters principally John Purkiss and Joe Venn. How back in the early days, he worked with Jeremy Duns. Both critiquing each others work. Why a book agent suggested he try self-publishing his work Why you should read his John Purkiss books in order, start with Ratcatcher. What advice he has for our listeners who want to write and self publish a book? How he manages his time to write, Tim Stevens is married with 3 kids, is a practicing physician oh and has a cat. Announces news on the much awaited 7th installment of the John Purkiss series. And Much Much More! Enjoyed this episode of Spybrary? Come and talk Spy books and movies with other spy fans in our private Spybrary listeners facebook group

Are you ready for our second installment of DEAD DROP 5? Today's guest is no stranger to East Germany. He is deep under cover, embedded in Communist East Berlin, he has asked his SIS handler to leave him 5 of his favorite spy books in their dead drop location in the Friedrichshain park. Ian Sanders of the Manchester Military History Society has been reading spy books for many years and has written almost 400 reviews on military,cold war and espionage books on goodreads. Today he is going to whittle those 400 books down to just a handful ….this is DEAD DROP FIVE on the Spybrary Spy Podcast. Ian's Dead Drop 5 picks are:

Spybrary Brush Pass: Agent Jeff Quest shares his thoughts on Antony Johnston's The Exphoria Code Tune in to episode 27 of the Spybrary Podcast at hear what Spybrarian Jeff Quest had to to say about The Exphoria Code and why you might want to give it a go. What is The Exphoria Code all about then? Official blurb... "Very possibly the definitive espionage thriller of the early 21st century" – Alan Moore Brigitte Sharp, a cyber-espionage specialist with MI6, has been deskbound and in therapy for three years, after her first field mission in Syria went disastrously wrong. But now one of her best friends has been murdered, and Bridge believes his death is connected to strange posts appearing on the internet, carrying encrypted hidden messages. When Bridge decodes the messages, she discovers evidence of a mole inside a top-secret Anglo-French military drone project. Her MI6 bosses force her back into the field, sending her undercover in France to find and expose the mole… who may also be her friend's killer. But the truth behind the Exphoria code is worse than she could have imagined. Soon she's on the run, desperate and alone – as a nuclear terrorist plot unfolds and threatens everything Bridge has left to live for. Sounds intriguing, so who is Antony Johnston? Taken from his official website: Antony Johnston is a New York Times bestselling graphic novelist, author, and games writer with more than fifty published titles. The Charlize Theron movie ATOMIC BLONDE is based on his graphic novel THE COLDEST CITY. His epic series WASTELAND is one of only a handful of such longform achievements in comics. His first video game, DEAD SPACE, redefined a genre. Antony's other books and graphic novels include THE EXPHORIA CODE, THE FUSE, DAREDEVIL, JULIUS, the ALEX RIDER graphic novels, DEAD SPACE transmedia comics, and the adaptation of Alan Moore's 'lost screenplay' FASHION BEAST. His video games include SHADOW OF MORDOR, BLACKWOOD CROSSING, THE ASSEMBLY, DEAD SPACE EXTRACTION, ZOMBIU, and more. Antony also hosts the podcast UNJUSTLY MALIGNED, and records music under the alias SILENCAEON. What is a Brush Pass review exactly? These are first impression reviews sent in by Spybrary listeners and give us their first impressions of a spy book, spy movie or spy tv show soon after finishing it. We encourage all our Spybrary listeners to record their own brush reviews and send them in. Remember we are not academics here, Spybrary Spy Podcast is by spy fans for spy fans. (And we don't always have to agree - vive la difference and all that.) If you want to send in a brush pass review, record it on your smartphone and email to [email protected] We will do the rest. If your brush pass episode is aired then you will receive a $20 Amazon voucher as a thank you from us all at Spybrary! Check out our other Brush Pass reviews here Enjoyed this episode of Spybrary? Come and talk Spy books and movies with other spy fans in our private Spybrary listeners facebook group

Spybrary Brush Pass: The Ghost: The Secret Life of CIA Spymaster James Jesus Angleton Spybrarian Matthew Kresal shares his brush pass review on The Ghost: The Secret Life of CIA Spymaster James Jesus Angleton by Jefferson Morley which has recently been published. According to Tim Weiner, author of Legacy of Ashes -The History of the CIA 'The Ghost' is.. "The best book ever written about the strangest CIA chief who ever lived." - Listen to today's episode of Spybrary and hear what reader and Spybrary contributor Matthew thinks of it and does he recommend spy fans give it a go? More information on James Jesus Angelton in the resources section below. About the author: JEFFERSON MORLEY is a journalist and editor who has worked in Washington journalism for over thirty years, fifteen of which were spent as an editor and reporter at The Washington Post. The author of Our Man in Mexico, a biography of the CIA's Mexico City station chief Winston Scott, Morley has written about intelligence, military, and political subjects for Salon, The Atlantic, and The Intercept, among others. He is the editor of JFK Facts, a blog. He lives in Washington, DC. What is a Brush Pass review exactly? These are first impression reviews sent in by Spybrary listeners and give us their first impressions of a spy book, spy movie or spy tv show soon after finishing it. We encourage all our Spybrary listeners to record their own brush reviews and send them in. Remember we are not academics here, Spybrary Spy Podcast is by spy fans for spy fans. If you want to send in a brush pass review, record it on your smartphone and email to [email protected] We will do the rest. If your brush pass episode is aired then you will receive a $20 Amazon voucher as a thank you from us all at Spybrary! Check out our other Brush Pass reviews here Enjoyed this episode of Spybrary? Come and talk Spy books and movies with other spy fans in our private Spybrary listeners facebook group

On Episode 25 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast, host Shane Whaley talks to author Christopher McIntosh about his cold war spy thriller 'The Lebensborn Spy' What is the Lebensborn Spy all about then? 'The Lebensborn Spy is a novel based on a real situation during the Cold War, in which former inmates of the Nazi Lebensborn maternity and children's homes were used as spies by the East German intelligence service. The story involves one such spy, who goes to Denmark to carry out espionage for the German Democratic Republic and to find his mother, who he believes to be a Danish woman who had a love affair with a German soldier during the wartime occupation and then gave her infant son away to the Lebensborn. There is a parallel thread to the story, involving another young man living in East Berlin. The two men and the Danish family become caught up in a web of deception, betrayal and love. The story, which is also about the search for one's origins and one's native homeland, moves to a dramatic climax, which reaches a startling dénouement in the re-united Berlin of 1990.' In this engaging interview for Spybrary, Christopher McIntosh shares with us: Why his book is dedicated to all former Lebensborn children' For those of our listeners who are not familiar with Lebensborn Christopher tell us more. (Check the resources section below for more links on this.) How Der Spiegel inspired him to write the book Why lovers of spy thrillers will enjoy his book. What kind of research he completed for this book. His own insight into the main characters of the Lebensborn Spy. How a former GDR stasi prisoner (who was bought by the West) helped him with research on the GDR. What was the hardest part of writing his book. What was his favorite chapter (or part) to write and why His advice for aspiring authors? And Much More!

Brian Gray of the Sunday Spy Show talks to us about his London Spy Tours and much much more! Ever wondered what its like to go on a London Spy Tour? Today we learn more about the Intelligence Trail's London Spy Tours. Spy Tours are becoming very popular with spy aficionados, both with those who enjoy the fictional spy books of James Bond or Tom Clancy right through to impressive non fiction spy writing from the likes of Nigel West and Ben MacIntyre. Many of us want to check out the locations (either real or fictional) of brush passes, dead drops, assassination by poison umbrellas or tea laced with polonium, interrogations, arrests, chases. KGB signal sites etc Spy museums are also becoming popular, the two that immediately spring to mind are the German Spy Museum in Berlin and our friends at the International Spy Museum in Washington DC. (Both come highly Spybrary recommended.) Next year NYC joins the spy tour fray with Spyscape but more on that in another episode. In this edition of the Spybrary Spy Podcast, we get to spend an hour with Brian Gray of the Sunday Spy Show. Not only is Brian an expert on espionage and the security services, he also offers London Spy Tours including the epic (my word not his) Intelligence Trail billed as 'The In-depth London Spy Tour.' 'The 'Trail offers the most comprehensive content-rich introduction to the shadow world of Britain's main intelligence services – MI5, MI6, and GCHQ – on the streets of London, in key locations associated with the spy world throughout the decades. Whether you're London-based or coming from afar, if you're wanting to discover the real triumphs and tragedies, and the trials and tribulations surrounding MI5 and MI6 through the years on the streets of central London – you've come to the right place.' In this episode of Spybrary: We ask Brian how he amassed so much knowledge on spying and espionage Brian shares with us the spy books that got him interested in espionage, spying and the security services. How does Brian respond when he ask him if he has worked for the intelligence services? Brian gives us the lowdown on all his London Spy Tours including The Classic Tour, The Early Years Tour, The Cold War Tour and the Sexpionage Tour. He reveals why his 'Mayfair and Mother Russia' tour is his most hard-core London Spy Tour yet! Brian Gray tells us what inspired to him to start up the Intelligence Trail spy tour. He shares with us which celebrities have enjoyed his London Spy Tour and what famous people have 'tour-bombed' the Trail. He tells us how he helped with the PR campaign for the remake of the Man from U.N.C.L.E Listen to the podcast and hear what part of the Intelligence Trail surprises people the most And Much Much More...so much more that we had to split the interview into two parts! Brian will be back to share with us his thoughts on the challenges facing MI5 and MI6. Shane cheekily asks him what he would do if he locked Brian in a room with Kim Philby or George Blake. Stay tuned for that one.! Recently, Spybrary assembled a crack team of spy fans to check out Brian's London Spy Tour. This elite team included Jeff Quest (Spywrite,) Gary Dexter, Ian Sanders (Manchester Military History Society), Rob Mallows (The Deighton Dossier), Tom (Literary 007) and Spybrary host Shane Whaley. They all gave the Intelligence Trail 5 stars and agree that Brian's London Spy Tours are all killer and no filler. Check out the Tripadvisor reviews if you are intrigued and interested in going on the tour. Follow the Intelligence Trail on: Twitter Facebook Official Site Check out Jeff Quests write up on recent London Spy Tours If you enjoy chatting spy books and spy movies, or have a question or point of interest on London Spy Tours come and join our private Spybrary Facebook Group.

Today we launch a new series for Spybrary, it is called DEAD DROP 5. Today's guest is deep under cover, behind the wall embedded in Communist East Berlin, he has asked his SIS handler to leave him 5 of his favorite spy books in their dead drop location in the Friedrichshain park. David Craggs has been reading spy books for over 50 years, he is a frequent contributor to the excellent Literary007.com and today he is going to share with us which books he wants deposited in his DEAD DROP 5 and why! We deep dive into David's choices and get his take on the spy book landscape.

We talk all about the British Cult Classic TV show 'The Prisoner' starting Patrick McGoohan on today's Spybrary Spy Podcast You are a number, but it is not Number 6, you are number 22 as this is the number of this weeks Spybrary Podcast episode. Today we are going to do something a little different. As regular listeners know the reason I cannot put out a weekly show is that I insist on reading the book of a guest before we chat. I think it makes for a much better conversation, after all this is podcasting not cable news..ouch! So I have an admission. I have never watched the iconic tv show 'The Prisoner.' I know, a bit embarrassing for someone like me who loves the spy niche and especially 60s/70s spy shows. I think I saw the odd clip of it as a kid and put it in the Dr Who category of weird and disturbing. (The Prisoner comes up a lot in our listener discussion group on facebook. If you are interested in extra bonus content to the podcast then check out our group on spybrary.com/facebook) So I asked in our group who wants to come on the show and tell us more about The Prisoner. I have a stack of DVDs to catch up on this winter so my viewing time is at a premium. Matthew Kresal who featured on Episode 12 of our spy podcast has volunteered to get into the hot seat here at Spybrary and tell us more about the Prisoner.

Into the Shadows – The Fever with Michael Brady Lt Col Michael Brady was an intelligence officer for over 20 years. Find out more about his first spy novel 'Into the Shadows' on the Spybrary Podcast with Host Shane Whaley. This is the story of Michael Brennan, a career CIA non-official cover (NOC) intelligence officer and his quest to identify and disrupt a plot crafted by the Islamic State terror group. After Michael travels to Israel and meets with Israeli intelligence, he partners with Elif Turan, a Mossad agent working in Turkey as a false flag along the Syrian border. Together, they must use their skills and tradecraft to stop Islamic State's scheme of introducing the deadly Ebola virus into New York City. Now let me tell you a bit about Michael. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Brady, USA, (RET), earned his MS in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University in Washington, DC in 2003. His classified thesis focused on the current and emerging issues confronting China and Taiwan. He has performed a wide variety of tactical and strategic intelligence functions including long-range surveillance, interrogation andintelligence analysis, He served as the Director, Presidential Emergency Operations Center in the White House from January 2001 until July 2002 under President George W. Bush. LTC Brady is a 1990 graduate of The Citadel, Marine Corps Command and General Staff College, Joint Forces Staff College, US Army Airborne School and US Army Ranger School. His areas of expertise and research include threats to the homeland, intelligence collection systems and programs, intelligence analysis, and intelligence support to national policy making. The point I am making here is that today's guest knows his stuff when it comes to spying and now he is following the likes of Graham Greene, John Le Carre, Ted Allbeury and others who journeyed from the secret world to writing espionage fiction. We talk about how Michael Brady's background in intelligence contributed to 'Into the Shadows' in particular looking at the technology used by the Intelligence services today. It is a far cry from Harry Palmer and George Smiley! Brady also talks about the characters in his novel, the exotic locations and he shares with us what advice he would give to anyone wanting to join the intelligence services. And much much more! What did you think of today's chat with Michael Brady? Love it? Hate it? Do you have a burning question about it? We are carrying on the conversation about Into the Shadows and many other spy books over at our private Spybrary discussion group, feel free to join us here

Author Barry Lancet reveals how an approach by a Soviet spy to recruit him inspired his 4th Jim Brodie book The Spy Across The Table published by Simon and Schuster.

Goodbye to an Old Friend 'Brush Pass' Review Goodbye to an Old Friend is the first novel written by Charlie Muffin creator Brian Freemantle. He wrote this book on his daily commute to and from work. Spybrary Host Shane Whaley is a huge fan of Charlie Muffin so he decided to give Freemantle's debut spy novel a go. This is the first 'Brush Pass' episode on Spybrary. The aim of this format is to share our thoughts on a spy book or movie straight after finishing the last page of the novel or just after titles go up after a spy flick. I want to capture those raw feelings we experience on immediately finishing a novel. Don't worry we will still have deep dives, round tables and interviews on our favorite spy books, this new feature will allow you to share your thoughts *(up to 5 or 10 mins) on a book or movie. One of the major goals of Spybrary is to talk about all the wonderful spy books that are out there. That is where you come in. When you have read a book, feel free to record your own short review (brush pass) on it. Please remember Spybrary is not a community of literary critics, sure we have some very knowledgeable spy fans here but they too want to hear from you! Kicking off the series, Shane Whaley the Spybrary host talks about Brian Freemantle's first ever novel 'Goodbye to an Old Friend' (And yes after recording it I realised there were things I missed out or wanted to say but the whole purpose of Brush Pass is that they are our initial thoughts so this is not supposed to be a polished/well honed review.) If you are interested in sending in a Brush Pass review you can record your submission here or better still use your smartphone, voice memo on Iphone works well and email it to me. (If you have problems with this please email me and I can send you a dropbox link.) Any submissions we use on the show will earn a $20 Amazon gift card, hopefully you will buy another spy book to review for us.

Roger Moore Remembered 'For Your Ears Only' -Special Episode Sir Roger Moore, actor, UNICEF Ambassador, author and father passed away this week. This is the episode of Spybrary we never wanted to record. Spybrary host Shane Whaley and author Jeffrey Westhoff, two guys from opposite sides of the Atlantic who ruined many a school photo with their 'Roger Moore' eyebrow impressions fondly talk about why they are massive fans of Sir Roger Moore's work. (That lucky Jeffrey even got to interview Sir Roger Moore once and got paid for it.) In this Roger Moore special we talk about why we feel Moore was the best Bond, read through some of the tributes from Sir Roger's peers and highlight some of the excellent Roger Moore stories that are being shared as well as insights from other Roger Moore fans.

Jack Barsky, the ex KGB undercover spy continues to share with us his story of life as a Russian Spy in the USA with Spy Podcast Spybrary Listen to Part 2 of our interview and learn: Which national figure did the KGB want Barksy to get close to and spy on? How did Jack Barsky cope with the loneliness of being a spy? Was Barsky afraid of getting caught? How did he communicate with Moscow Center? Why did the KGB put him on a Concorde? What instructions did the KGB give Barksy if he was ever caught by the FBI? Which Spy novelist does Barsky say is the most realistic of all spy writer? Which book on the East German Stasi does he recommend we all read? What signal did the KGB leave for Barsky on his daily commute to tell him his cover was blown and to drop everything and get out of the USA? Why did Barsky defy the KGB to stay in the US? What chilling threat was whispered into his ears by the KGB on the platform for the A train in NYC? How Jack Barsky knows the KGB bought his 'big lie' for why he could not return to the KGB and the Soviet Union? About the day he was apprehended by the FBI? What lengths the FBI went to over 3 years in order to catch him? How a row with his wife gave the FBI all they needed to apprehend him? And Much More!!!

On this weeks Spybrary, author Jeffrey Westhoff talks to host Shane Whaley about his spy book 'The Boy Who Knew Too Much' and shares with us his thoughts on the spy genre and how he interviewed 5 of the actors who played James Bond 007