Writer and journalist Antonia Senior interviews all the best writers on espionage. Each episode will bring you fascinating stories on spies, covert action and m...
Writer and journalist Antonia Senior interviews bestselling author David McCloskey about his latest novel, 'The Seventh Floor.' The conversation delves into the intricacies of espionage, the brutal realities of interrogation, and the complex relationships between characters in the world of intelligence.
McCloskey shares insights from his experience as a former CIA analyst, exploring themes of friendship, betrayal, and the moral dilemmas faced by those in the intelligence community.
Buy the book: https://amzn.eu/d/36LWTuM
David McCloskey, The Seventh Floor, CIA, espionage, spy novels, mole hunt, interrogation, character dynamics, Russian intelligence, friendship in espionage
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43:22
Notes on a Drowning, with Anna Sharpe
In this episode of the Spymasters podcast, Antonia Senior interviews Anna Sharpe. about her new book, 'Notes on a Drowning.' Sharpe is a pseudonym for the award winning novelist Anna Mazzola. The conversation explores the book's themes of political intrigue, legal drama, and the murky world of espionage. Mazzola discusses her transition from historical fiction to contemporary writing, the influences behind her work, and the social commentary woven throughout her narrative. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced in the criminal justice system and the allure of espionage in literature, particularly in the context of modern spy craft.
Buy the book here: https://amzn.eu/d/0kzWqeH
Read more about Anna's legal work at the Centre for Women's Justice: https://www.centreforwomensjustice.org.uk/
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36:13
William Boyd on writing Gabriel's Moon
Join Oliver Webb-Carter as he talks to William Boyd, the best-selling novelist, about his new book Gabriel's Moon. Gabriel Dax is a young man in sixties London who becomes drawn into the murky world of espionage. William and Oliver talk about why literary writers are drawn to writing spy novels. They talk about James Bond, and Graham Greene and the art of writing.
Buy the book here.
Follow William Boyd here.
Thank you for listening to Spymasters. Don't forget to give us a follow and tell your friends, so we can keep bringing you the best authors in the business talking about spies.
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49:55
Spymasters Books of the Year 2024
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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1:06:31
Trump, Foreign Policy and Intelligence, with Michael Smith
Michael Smith, intelligence expert, talks to Oliver Webb-Carter, editor of Aspects of History, about Trump, Foreign Policy and Intelligence.
Michael talks about how the re-election of Trump will effect the special relationship between British and American intelligence services. Oliver and Michael discuss the prospects for the Middle East, Ukraine and more, under the new Trump administration.
Michael is is a British author who specializes in spies and espionage. He is also a former member of the board of the Bletchley Park Trust. Michael has written 16 books, and his most recent is The Real Special Relationship, The True Story of How the British and US Secret Services Work.
Buy the book here
Follow Michael here
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Writer and journalist Antonia Senior interviews all the best writers on espionage. Each episode will bring you fascinating stories on spies, covert action and more - delving in to fact and fiction, past and present.