SpyMasters

Spymasters Books of the Year 2024

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Episode notes

The inaugural Books of the Year from the Spymasters Podcast. Join your host Antonia Senior as she talks to three special guests about their books of the year.

Oliver Webb-Carter is the Editor of Aspects of History, and the host of our sister podcast, the Aspects of History podcast. https://aspectsofhistory.com/

Paul Burke is the host of the brilliant Crimetimefm podcast, and is writing an encyclopedia of spy fiction, due out in 2025. https://www.crimetime.co.uk/crimetime-fm-the-crime-fiction-interview-podcast/

Thomas Waugh is a writer of contemporary spy thrillers, including the Daniel Ambler series https://www.a's mazon.co.uk/stores/Thomas-Waugh/author/B001HPRLFY?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

The books we discuss on this chat include

Ben Macintyre's The Siege

Henry Hemming's Four Shots in the Night

IS Berry's The Peacock and the Sparrow

David McCloskey's Moscow X

Tim Tate's To Catch a Spy

Nigel West's Classified

Henry Porter's The Enigma Girl

Merle Negate's Honour Among Spies

Mick Heron's The Secret Hours

William Boyd's Gabriel's Moon

Jane Thynne's Midnight in Vienna

Alex Gerlis: Every Spy a Traitor

The conversation covers a range of themes, including character-driven narratives, historical contexts, and the evolution of intelligence writing. Each guest presents their selections, providing insights into the authors' styles and the significance of their works in the genre. In this engaging conversation, the panel delvesinto the intricate world of espionage, exploring the ideological divides between American and Communist perspectives, the moral dilemmas faced by spies, and the complexities of British intelligence secrecy. The discussion also highlights the evolution of spy fiction, particularly in relation to real historical events, and examines modern trends in the genre, culminating in a review of notable spy books.

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