Spybrary Spy Podcast

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George Smiley Goes to America: Nick Harkaway on The Taper Man Nov 04, 2026

Show notes

Smiley goes to America. Roy Bland goes to Leningrad. And Nick Harkaway goes back inside his father's Circus. In Paul Burke's first interview as Spybrary's Head of Fiction, he sits down with Nick Harkaway to talk about The Taper Man. It's Nick's second novel set in John le Carré's Circus and the follow-up to Karla's Choice. The year is 1965. Polyakov has arrived in London and the pieces are moving into place for Tinker Tailor. George Smiley is in Los Angeles, about as far from home as he could be, chasing a Moscow mole hunt. In Leningrad, Roy Bland is running a dangerous operation..

Nick talks about absorbing Smiley before he could read: his father read pages aloud across the table to his mother every day. He also explains the family meeting where he agreed to take on the series, and why Smiley's world comes with strict rules about what can and can't happen in it.

What you'll hear

How growing up with Smiley read aloud every day shaped Nick's ear for the books
The family meeting, and his brother Simon's nudge, that turned "I won't do it" into "all right"
Why a true CIA story about an inflatable decoy spy could never appear in a Smiley novel
The "Indiana Jones warehouse" rule for writing Karla: every answer should open up more questions
Inventing the Taper Man as new Circus lore, plus le Carré's gift of the term "honey trap"
Smiley as an "archaeologist of espionage" and the "original sin" at the heart of every Circus story
Roy Bland's backstory and why The Taper Man goes in for proactive spying
Hungary, Finland and the idea that history doesn't come packaged in neat periods
A not-quite-CIA, illegals in America, and the question of who counts as a "proper American"
What comes next: a third Circus book is under contract, a Harkaway book is also on the way, and his thoughts on a WWII Smiley or a modern le Carré

Crime Fiction Legend Sara Paretsky Takes on the Spy Thriller with Bad Company Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

Sara Paretsky, legendary creator of V.I. Warshawski, joins me on the Spybrary Spy Podcast to talk about Bad Company — her new spy thriller featuring retired CIA officer Lily, a woman who discovers that you never really leave the Company.

We talk about Sara's leap from detective fiction into espionage, creating the fictional Central Asian country of Hayalistan, women inside the CIA, and why an older female intelligence officer offers such a different take on the traditional spy hero. Sara also reveals why she needed eight drafts to find Bad Company, the dog-sled exfiltration scene that survived every rewrite, and how questions of power, anger and voicelessness drive her fiction.

And, naturally, we talk spy books: John le Carré, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Mrs Pollifax, Manning Coles and the wonderful Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson espionage caper Hopscotch.

A fascinating conversation with one of crime fiction's most influential writers about what happens when she enters the world of spies. Join the Spybrary Community Support Spybrary - a monthly dination helps us keep the lights on at the safehouse. Full Shownotes with links to buy Sara Paretsky's Bad Company herehttps://www.spybrary.com/311

The Ultimate Spy Movie & TV Guide — Inside Spies on Screen with Paul Burke Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

Paul Burke joins Spybrary hosts Shane Whaley and Michael Huie to discuss his new book, Spies on Screen, an ambitious guide to more than 900 spy films and television series.

From James Bond and John le Carré to Slow Horses, The Bureau, The Americans and forgotten spy thrillers, Paul explores how espionage on screen has evolved from glamorous secret agents to damaged, morally complex intelligence officers.

Along the way, the trio debate which Bond actor is closest to Ian Fleming's original creation, why The Spy Who Came in from the Cold remains one of the great adaptations, what makes The Day of the Jackal such an enduring classic, and which overlooked spy films and TV series deserve to be rediscovered.

Paul also explains why many of the best spy stories are really anti-spy stories, how streaming has transformed the genre, and why international espionage dramas are becoming more important than ever.

Plus, stay to the end for the Spybrary quick-fire round, where Paul reveals his picks for best Bond, best spy film, best spy TV series, most underrated espionage movie and more.

If you love spy films, spy TV shows and discovering hidden gems, this episode is for you.

In this episode:

The evolution of spy films and TV
James Bond, Timothy Dalton and Ian Fleming
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
The Day of the Jackal
Slow Horses
The Bureau
The Americans
Forgotten Cold War spy films
Underrated espionage TV
The future of spy stories on screen

Spies on Screen by Paul Burke is out now.

Visit Spybrary for more spy books, films, TV, interviews and intelligence history.

William Boyd on the Appeal of Spy Fiction and Creating Gabriel Dax Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

What makes a great spy novel?

For William Boyd, it is complexity, uncertainty and that irresistible feeling that, as a reader, you are constantly trying to work out who can be trusted.

In this SPOILER FREE special Spybrary conversation, Boyd joins Ollie Webb Carter (History Book Club Podcast) to discuss his Gabriel Dax novels and the latest instalment, Cold Sunset.

They explore Boyd's lifelong fascination with espionage fiction, the influence of John le Carré, the real history that feeds into his novels, and why the analogue world of Cold War spying remains such fertile ground for a novelist.

Along the way, William reveals the remarkable real-life MI6 figure who helped inspire Faith Green, shares his thoughts on the JFK assassination, reflects on the old-boy network that once dominated British intelligence, and explains how a television project that never came to fruition ultimately helped give birth to Gabriel Dax.

They also discuss:

• Why the best spy novels force the reader to think • Betrayal, false identities and the double and triple bluff • John le Carré and the literary tradition of spy fiction • How Gabriel Dax is gradually becoming a more accomplished spy • The real intelligence officer behind Faith Green • MI6, the CIA and Cold War regime change • Why modern surveillance makes contemporary espionage harder to write • The unexpected origins of the Gabriel Dax series • What could come next for Gabriel

A fascinating conversation with one of Britain's most celebrated novelists about spies, history, writing — and the enduring appeal of espionage fiction.

Featuring William Boyd in conversation with Ollie Webb Carter for Spybrary.

CIA vs MI6: David McCloskey Goes Inside London Station Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

What if the CIA and MI6 stopped behaving like allies—and started spying on each other?

David McCloskey joins Tim Shipman to discuss London Station, his fifth spy novel, and the real intelligence relationship behind its central premise.

McCloskey explains why the CIA–SIS "Special Relationship" can sometimes resemble a dysfunctional marriage, what the CIA Chief of Station in London actually does, and how conversations with former American and British intelligence officers shaped the book. He also introduces the wonderfully British intelligence concept of "deep chat"—those unofficial conversations where trusted allies may share rather more than appears in the official cables.

There's plenty for Artemis Procter fans too. David discusses her move to London, why she is spectacularly ill-suited to the diplomatic side of the job, and the changes the character is going through.

And then comes one of the episode's best stories: McCloskey reveals what happened when he unexpectedly came face-to-face at CIA headquarters with the former colleague he had in mind when he first created Artemis.

Plus: Bobby Jerome, CIA vs MI6 tensions, how McCloskey researched Vauxhall Cross, his direct sequel to Damascus Station, the Artemis TV series, Moscow X on film, and what's coming next.

A must-listen for David McCloskey readers, Artemis Procter devotees, and anyone fascinated by the real world behind modern spy fiction.

Lies, Spies and Suspense: Inside Traitors with Robert B. McCaw Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

A propulsive, high-stakes thriller—Robert McCaw delivers a gripping tale of espionage, betrayal, and deception amid the race to expose Russian moles at the highest levels of the US government. Tense, timely, and full of international intrigue, Traitors will keep you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommended.

David McCloskey, former CIA analyst and author of The Persian Author Robert B McCaw joins us to discuss Traitors, a geopolitical thriller shaped by his background in law, Washington and international affairs. He reveals how real-world stories involving Russia, Ukraine, Finland, nuclear weapons and ballistic submarines helped inspire the novel—and how his legal experience taught him to think about lies, interrogation and the search for truth. Support Spybrary every month with a small donation and help us keep the lights on at the Spybrary Safehouse McCaw also explains why he believes a thriller writer has to "play fair" with the reader: the clues should be there, the twists should feel earned, and even the most dramatic developments need to feel possible. Along the way, we explore his unusual path to publication—from spending nearly 20 years on his first novel and self-publishing it, to a chance encounter on a Mediterranean cruise that led to a literary agent and, eventually, Traitors being published by W. W. Norton.

From Bourne to le Carré: Jinwoo Park on The Oxford Soju Club Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Spybrary, host Matthew Hurst talks with author Jinwoo Park about his debut novel, The Oxford Soju Club.

The book centres on North Korean spies and their Korean American adversaries, who are regulars at an Oxford restaurant run by an oblivious South Korean. It's as much about the psychology of their ethnic identities as shoot outs and chases.

Jinwoo discusses how the book developed from a simple action thriller to drawing out parallels of how deep cover spies and immigrants share a need to to mould themselves to their surroundings.

The conversation explores Jinwoo's influences, from the Bourne films and Robert Ludlum to John le Carré and The Sympathizer, to conversations with his uncle — a former deputy director in South Korea's National Intelligence Service. It also explains why spies should never be rude to taxi drivers.

Support Spybrary on Patreon, every little helps us produce content for you.

Sweden's Secret Cold War Spies: Dead Drops, Hidden Cells and the Stay Behinds Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Cold War Spies Series with Shane Whaley

For decades, Sweden presented itself as neutral and determined to remain outside the Cold War struggle between East and West. But behind that public image, the Swedish Stay Behind network was preparing for an altogether darker possibility: Soviet occupation.

Shane Whaley is joined by Swedish historian and author Johan Wennström to uncover the extraordinary story of Sweden's secret Stay Behind resistance network — a clandestine organisation created in 1949 to operate behind enemy lines in the event of a Soviet invasion.

Drawing on previously classified documents, archival research and first-hand testimony from surviving members, Johan reveals how ordinary Swedes — farmers, insurance brokers, businessmen and travelling salesmen — were secretly recruited into cells designed to survive occupation.

They trained in intelligence gathering, clandestine communications, psychological warfare and resistance operations, all while keeping their involvement hidden from colleagues, friends and even their own families.

We also explore Sweden's real relationship with NATO during the Cold War, Soviet submarine incursions, Cold War traitors, the human cost of living a secret life — and why one of Sweden's most important intelligence chiefs bears an uncanny resemblance to George Smiley.

And, naturally, the conversation eventually turns to spy fiction, John le Carré, Len Deighton, Carl Hamilton, Jan Guillou and the surprisingly underdeveloped world of Swedish spy novels.

Simon Conway Returns with The British Agent and a Brand-New Spy Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Simon Conway returns to Spybrary to discuss his latest espionage thriller, The British Agent — a contemporary, globe-spanning story involving missing British-made surface-to-air missiles, Ukraine, American extremist militias, political conspiracy, and an audacious plot targeting.... Support Spybrary here and help us produce more spy author interviews.

Spybrary's David Craggs talks with Simon Conway about the creation of his new protagonist, Chuff, why he decided to leave behind the recurring characters of his earlier novels, and how his real-world experience informs the weapons trafficking and intelligence elements of the story.

The conversation also explores the complicated people drawn into extremist movements, the influence of algorithms and conspiracy theories, a fascinating connection between The British Agent and the Gunpowder Plot, and whether Chuff might return in a future novel.

Simon also discusses the long, uncertain road from novel to screen adaptation.

Graham Greene: The Novelist Who Never Stopped Spying Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

The novelist Graham Greene ranks at number 6 on Tim Shipman's infamous Best Spy Writers list — and yet we haven't given him enough airtime on the podcast. Time to put that right.

Graham Greene didn't just write about spies — spying was the family business. His uncle founded Naval Intelligence. His sister recruited him into SIS. And Greene himself walked out of the Service the day before D-Day. Why? The answer may involve his boss and drinking companion: Kim Philby.

Guest host Matt Hurst debriefs Professor Kevin Ruane — Greene scholar and Director of the Graham Greene International Festival — on the novelist's secret double life.

In this episode:

The Greene family spy business: an uncle in Naval Intelligence, a sister in SIS, a brother running black ops in Malaya, and another spying for three countries at once (badly)
Why Greene quit SIS on the eve of D-Day — and the Philby theory
"Recreational espionage": how Greene's letters reveal decades of meetings with "the old firm" before trips to Vienna, Cuba, Poland and Vietnam
The Quiet American: the 1955 novel that predicted the Vietnam War, and why journalists like David Halberstam and Neil Sheehan carried it in their knapsacks
Was Greene spying in Vietnam? The "Catholic solution" and the hunt for a third force
The 1958 film Greene called a travesty — and his fan letter to Sean Connery for a remake that never happened
Greene vs le Carré: the endorsement that made le Carré's name, and the letter that said "you're not my friend"
Why Greene would love Slow Horses

This is the first of what we hope will be many episodes exploring the great spy novelists — subscribe to Spybrary so you don't miss what's coming.

The Graham Greene International Festival runs 24-27 September in Berkhamsted, UK — 30 minutes from London Euston. Spy highlights include Ben Brown's play A Splinter of Ice, Robert Verkaik on The Writer and the Traitor, and le Carré biographer Adam Sisman on Greene and le Carré. Tickets at grahamgreenebt.org

All links at spybrary.com/306

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