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SpyMasters

Paul Burke

Writer and critic Paul Burke 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.

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October 1 · 58 min
Spies on Screen by Paul Burke
Paul Burke is interviewed by Barry Forshaw, Financial Times Crime Fiction Critic and author of Crime Fiction: A Reader's Guide. Discussing SPIES ON SCREEN: FROM SILENT TO STREAMING, favourite films, Alfred Hitchcock, Eric Ambler, Bond, Bourne and MI, iconic performances, action v realism, the history of espionage cinema and streaming. SPIES ON SCREEN The definitive guide to espionage on film and TV. Covering more than 900 spy movies and series, from Bond and Bourne to Hitchcock and Herron, Spies on Screen is the first comprehensive guide of the modern era, exploring how the genre has evolved alongside real-world concerns about geopolitics, surveillance, cyber warfare and global conflict. In a series of compelling and accessible essays, Burke combines expert analysis with cultural history to define the trends, themes and transformations of spying across more than a century of hot and cold conflict. Whether you are hoping to discover a new series or to reconnect with a forgotten classic, look no further. Spies on Screen is an unrivalled reference guide; the essential companion to one of entertainment's most enduring genres. PAUL BURKE was born in London, university educated and has worked in the private, voluntary and academic sector over the years. He has been writing about crime, thriller and mystery fiction since 2016 and podcasting for Crime Time FM since 2021. His first passion as a reader was Cold War spy fiction. Paul is interested in sports, arts, politics and history. He was editor of Aspects of Crime, a new online magazine/website dedicated to crime fact and fiction, presenter of SpyMasters and is now Fiction Editor at Spybrary.com Barry Forshaw is the editor of Crime Time, the Financial Time Crime Fiction Critic and the author of several books on crime fiction and film, including Crime Fiction: A Reader's Guide and American Noir. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
September 17 · 49 min
No. 1 St James Court Alan Judd
Alan Judd talks to SpyMasters about his new spy thriller No. 1 St James Park, John le Carré, W Somerset Maugham, Mansfield Cumming, Christopher Marlowe, Jane Archer and women spies of WWI. No. 1 St James Park: At the height of the First World War, Emily Grey finds herself far away from the action, collating Swiss rubber imports in a hut in the middle of St James’ Park. Summoned to MI6’s Whitehall headquarters, Emily learns that her talent for languages is needed elsewhere and she is despatched to Bern to debrief Fritz the Ritz, an agent reporting on the wartime activities of German industry. However, when she discovers that Fritz the Ritz may not be all he claims to be, she is led to the door of an import-export dealership in Lausanne and the unassuming couple who run it. Could they really be at the heart of a network that threatens the lives of millions of Allied soldiers? And, if they are, can Emily, and her ever-eager partner Nigel Nisbet, stop them before they go too far? With a matchless flair for historical accuracy, psychological acuity and breathtaking adventure, Judd’s latest historical thriller demonstrates once again that he is one of the finest spy novelists writing today and that this series of novels about the origin of MI6 bears comparison with John Le Carre, Patrick O’Brien and Joseph Conrad. Alan Judd is the author of the Charles Thoroughgood series, The Kaiser's Last Kiss, A Fine Madness and his latest series featuring Emily Grey. Recommended Elizabeth Howard The Cazalets, Robert Galbraith, Displacement: Zweig, Roth and Banjamin. Paul Burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime. His first book Spies on Screen will be published on 20 October. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
September 4 · 1 hr 16 min
THE BRITISH AGENT by SIMON CONWAY
Simon Conway talks to SpyMasters about The British Agent, Afghanistan, conspiracy, Chuff, bomb disposal, US politics... THE BRITISH AGENT: A SPY ALONE. AN ENEMY WITHIN. A veteran American spymaster weaving an elaborate web. A politician who makes a high-stakes promise he can’t keep. A clutch of sophisticated air defence missiles stolen in Ukraine. A terrorist cell with plans to commit an outrage in the US capital. And, at the centre of it all, a British agent, operating alone and undercover, on a desperate, globe-trotting mission to prevent catastrophe. She cannot fail . . . Recommends: EJ SWIFT When There Are Wolves Again Mention Michael Idov Collaborators, James Wolff Spies and Other Gods. Paul Burke is Editor of Aspects of Crime. His first book Spies on Screen will be published later this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 20 · 52 min
ICARUS 17 by Charles Cumming
Charles Cumming talks to Paul Burke about his new novel Icarus 17, latest in the Box 88 series, The Day of the Jackal, A Spy by Nature, Thomas Kell, Geopolitics in the novel, post-Cold War spy fiction dip, touring Eastern Europe before The Wall fell, Plane and not meeting Jason Statham. Icarus 17: As director of covert intelligence agency Box 88, Lachlan Kite is at the apex of his espionage career. But when Martha Raine – a woman he hasn’t seen in twenty years – begs for his help, Kite finds himself back in the game, racing to avert disaster. Kite must find Martha’s son, Max, who vanished in Athens with his girlfriend, Yasmine. But the couple aren’t just missing, they’re running for their lives. Two rival agencies are hunting them, both with orders to kill on sight. Max and Yasmine are carrying a dizzying secret, one which could pull apart the foundations of the Middle East for a generation. If Kite fails to save them, the costs – both personal and professional – will be catastrophic. Charles Cumming is a British writer of spy fiction. Educated at Eton and the University of Edinburgh where he graduatednwith 1st Class Honours in English Literature. The Observer has described him as "the best of the new generation of British spy writers who are taking over where John le Carré and Len Deighton left off". In 1995, Charles Cumming was approached for recruitment by the United Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). A Spy By Nature, a novel partly based on his experiences with MI6, was published in 2001. The novel's hero, Alec Milius, is a flawed loner in his early 20s who is recruited by MI6 to sell doctored research data on oil exploration in the Caspian Sea to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In 2001, Charles Cumming moved to Madrid. His second novel, The Hidden Man, came out in 2003. The Spanish Game, 2006, Typhoon, 2008, The Trinity Six, 2011. A Foreign Country, 2012, was named the first Scottish Crime Book of the Year at the inaugural Bloody Scotland Festival in Stirling in September 2012. It also won the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for the best thriller of 2012. A Colder War, 2014. A Divided Spy, 2016. The Man Between (published in the US as 'The Moroccan Girl') was published in 2018. In 2020 Cumming released BOX 88, followed by JUDAS 62 (2021), KENNEDY 35 (2023) and ICARUS 17 (2026). Charles Cumming was also the screenwriter of the Gerard Butler action movie 'Plane' and was part of the writing team responsible for the first season of the hit TV series 'The Day of the Jackal. Recommended: Bruce Chatwin, Martin Amis, John Cheever, Philip Roth, Henry Porter, David McCloskey. Ian Fleming and Frame 37 both by Nicholas Shakespeare, The Peacock and the Sparrow IS Berry, The Bureau, The Agency. Paul Burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime and the presenter of Spymasters. His first book Spies on Screen will be published this year. Icarus 17: Lachlan Kite should have left fieldwork behind by now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 6 · 51 min
Sweden's Cold War Guardians with Johan Wennström
Johan Wennström talks to Paul Burke about The Stay Behinds: Sweden's Cold War Guardians. The Stay Behinds: Packed with first-hand accounts and previously classified government documents, this book reveals the secrets of Sweden's resistance network, created to deter a potential Soviet occupation.Following World War II, Sweden faced the looming threat of the Soviet Union and its drive to spread communism. This led to the formation of a resistance movement involving Sweden's intelligence service, the employers' association and the labour movement. The stay-behind network was fully legalised in 1955 and continued its clandestine work until the mid-1990s, with the mission of keeping communism – and the Soviets – out of Sweden. Drawing on extensive archival research and interviews with key figures, author Johan Wennström peels back the layers of secrecy surrounding the stay-behinds. This book looks at the men who created the network, the work the operatives carried out, the cell-like structure they relied on, and how the US and UK intelligence communities cooperated with the Swedish stay-behinds. This is the first in-depth study of a secret organization that helped shape modern Sweden. It also highlights lessons for today's NATO and makes the case for a defence policy grounded in national interest. Forthcoming Audio The Stay Behinds Spotify.com Johan Wennström: is a research fellow at the Swedish Defence University and an occasional contributor to UnHerd. He is one of Sweden's most prominent commentators on alliance politics and European security. Paul Burke is the presenter of Spymasters. His first book Spies on Screen will be published later this year. Produced by Junkyarddog Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 16 · 1 hr 5 min
Red Verdict by James Comey
Former FBI Director JAMES COMEY talks to Paul Burke about his novel RED VERDICT, The FBI, being a socially adept introvert, Russian operations in America, the inspiration for Nora and Benny and The Kansas City Massacre. RED VERDICT THE MURDER OF THE YEAR. THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY. An influential defense company executive sits down for dinner at an exclusive restaurant in Manhattan. It's the last meal he will ever eat. The food was spiked with Novichok in a hit that suggests Russian involvement. It sends a chilling message to the FBI – but what, exactly? And why kill this man now? Deputy US Attorney Nora Carleton launches a criminal investigation into the most dangerous individuals she has ever faced, putting herself and her family in the crosshairs of forces determined to keep their secrets buried. If she can't land a guilty verdict, she risks losing more than her life – the security of the entire country will be compromised. James Comey served as the seventh Director of the FBI, from 2013 until May 9, 2017, when he was fired by Donald Trump. A Yonkers, New York native, Jim Comey attended the College of William and Mary and the University of Chicago Law School. After law school, Comey returned to New York and joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. There, he took on numerous crimes, most notably organized crime in the case of the United States v. John Gambino, et al. Afterwards, Comey became an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, where he handled the high-profile case that followed the 1996 terrorist attack on the U.S. military’s Khobar Towers in Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Comey returned to New York after 9/11 to become the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. At the end of 2003, he was tapped to be the Deputy Attorney General at the Department of Justice (DOJ) under then-U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and moved to the Washington, D.C. area. Comey left DOJ in 2005 to serve as General Counsel and Senior Vice President at defense contractor Lockheed Martin. Five years later, he joined Bridgewater Associates, a Connecticut-based investment fund, as its General Counsel. In early 2013, Comey became a Lecturer in Law, a Senior Research Scholar, and Hertog Fellow in National Security Law at Columbia Law School. After he was fired as FBI Director, Comey held the King Lecture Chair in Public Policy at Howard University for 2017-18 and served as a Distinguished Lecturer in Public Policy at William and Mary for 2018-2019. In September 2020, his first book, "A Higher Loyalty," was made into a Showtime limited series, "The Comey Rule." Recommended Ann Patchett The Patron Saint of Liars Paul Burke is the presenter of Spymasters. His first book Spies on Screen will be published later this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 27 · 58 min
The Interpreter's Secret Andrew Rosenheim
Andrew Rosenheim talks about his contemporary spy thriller The Interpreter's Secret, AI in publishing, kindle, literary games on the page, cat and mouse chases. The Interpreter's Secret: in Stockholm for a G20 summit, the interpreter Thomas Weaver is summoned by the White House Chief of Staff to an off-the-record meeting with a Russian general. Expecting routine diplomacy, what Weaver gets instead is a chilling glimpse into a secret arrangement between Washington and the Kremlin. Warned never to divulge what has been said, Weaver discovers he has accidentally recorded the meeting – the only evidence that it took place. Now under threat, he escapes to the safety of a friend’s house in the English countryside, and then on to London. Yet even there he senses danger. Unsure where to turn, Weaver finds unexpected help from the enigmatic Lily Churchill, whose own loyalties are a mystery. As the two begin to grasp the significance of what Weaver has heard, he and Lily are forced to go underground to hide from their unknown pursuers, who seem determined to silence Weaver for good. The Interpreter’s Secret is a sophisticated literary thriller about corruption, conspiracy, and the lethal confusions of language. Mentions: Alan Parks Gunner, James Dickey, John le Carré, JAMES WOLFF SPIES AND OTHER GODS Paul Burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime. His first book Spies on Screen will be published later this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 11 · 1 hr 17 min
A Woman Called Edith by Daria Santini
Daria Santini talks to Spymasters about her biography of Edith Tudor Hart, A Woman Called Edith, the Cambridge Five, Arnold Deutsch, photography, working class lives, communism and spying. Edith Tudor Hart has long evaded biographers. A Jewish-Austrian exile in 1930s London, she was a talented professional photographer, anti-fascist activist—and Soviet secret agent. Daria Santini provides the first full biography of this elusive figure. She traces Tudor Hart’s life from her early years in the socialist intellectual circles of Vienna through her training at the Bauhaus to her work as a Soviet agent in Britain. Tudor Hart played a vital role in the Cambridge Spies network, including recruiting Kim Philby. Throughout her life, Tudor Hart was deeply committed to the ideals of communism. But despite being watched by the British Secret Service for decades, she was never caught and never confessed. In this moving account, Santini pieces together the story of Edith’s life, revealing a woman of great energy, determination, and creativity Daria Santini is an independent scholar and writer. She was lecturer in German language and literature at the University of Oxford for fifteen years and is the author of The Exiles: Actors, Artists and Writers Who Fled the Nazis for London. Edith Tudor Hart: In the Shadow of Tyranny (Duncan Forbes), Poverty for Sale. Edith Tudor Hart: A Steady Eye in Turbulent Times by Brigette and Kurt Kaindl. Paul Burke is the presenter of Spymasters. His first book SPIES ON SCREEN will be published in September. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 28 · 1 hr 12 min
The Cormorant Hunt by Michael Idov
Michael Idov talks to Spymasters about his new novel THE CORMORANT HUNT, screenwriting, The Collaborators, Doug Lyman, geopolitics and the spy novel and walking back the cat. THE CORMORANT HUNT: Disheartened CIA officer Ari Falk, now hiding in the Republic of Georgia, is hailed as a hero by some and branded a traitor by others after blowing the lid off a massive conspiracy. But his quiet exile is shattered when a mission arises―one perfectly suited for someone as jaded and unpredictable as him. This stand-alone sequel thrusts us into a modern era of geopolitical conflict, where a hot war in Europe and shadowy political schemes set the stage for danger at every turn. Enter Asha Tamaskar, a brilliant, neurodivergent CIA officer with her own secrets, and Felix Burnham, a chilling antagonist with radical alliances that could change the global balance of power. From Tbilisi to Prague, Andorra to Bethesda, Idov crafts vivid, authentic settings that amplify the pulse-pounding action. Far from the usual spy thriller, The Cormorant Hunt is brimming with razor-sharp dialogue, heart-stopping twists, and complex character dynamics that bring humanity to the chaos. Every border crossed carries real-world consequences, making this a thriller that feels both urgent and unforgettable. Blending suspense, wit, and authentic storytelling, it’s a must-read for fans of political intrigue, espionage, and thrillers that don’t play by the rules. Paul Burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime and the presenter of Spymasters. His first book SPIES ON SCREEN will be published on 24th September. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 7 · 1 hr 2 min
Master of Lies: How Anthony Blunt's Treachery Changed Our World
Piers Blofeld talks to Spymasters about his new book on Anthony Blunt, MASTER OF LIES, the greatest traitor, working for Churchill and Stalin, Operation Market Garden, a not-confession confession, enjoying the limelight of discovery. MASTER OF LIES: In a brilliant feat of literary detective work Master of Lies tells the extraordinary untold story of Anthony Blunt's life as a spy. Based on extensive research into newly released files he is revealed as not simply "the fourth man", but the most dangerous spy of the twentieth century. During the war, as the fate of the world hung in the balance, Blunt's intelligence was being fed straight on to the desks of Hitler, Stalin and Churchill. His hand was secretly guiding our collective fate and his treason led to the deaths of tens of thousands. He casts a shadow which looms large to this day. The official narrative is that Blunt was the least of the Cambridge spies - and yet he was the one who got away with it. While the rest drank themselves to death in dingy Moscow flats, Blunt revelled in his brilliant career as an art historian, Surveyor of the Queen's pictures and Knight of the Realm. He was protected not just by his many friendships with the great and the good, but by the brilliance with which he played the game - his was a secret too big to be told. Master of Lies reads like the best spy fiction but it solves one of the great espionage mysteries of our times. Piers Blofeld is a literary agent and, apart from a brief stint as a story consultant in the video games industry he has worked in publishing for the whole of his career. A regular commentator on the mysteries of the book business he has had his own column in Writing Magazine for the last five years. Born and bred in Norfolk, his surname made it all but inevitable he would nurture a fascination with supervillainy and spying. Master of Lies is his first book. Recommended Anthony Glees The Secrets of the Service Paul Burke is editor of Aspects of Crime. His first book Spies on Screen From Silent to Streaming will be published in September. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 23 · 1 hr
Stalin's Apostles: The Cambridge Five and the Making of the Soviet Empire Pt.2
STALIN'S APOSTLES: The Cambridge Five and the making of the Soviet Empire, Part 2. From MacLean and Burgess' defection to today, research, new sources, The Cambridge Five are surrounded by myth. It was time for a new sober and revealing history of the most deadly spy ring ever. Paul Burke talks to Antonia Senior about her new thrilling account of Burgess, Maclean, Philby, Blunt & Cairncross: STALIN'S APOSTLES is a radical new look at the way five people allowed their obsession with Communist ideology to overshadow any sense of morality or decency - or loyalty to their country. Why did these gilded charming men, blessed with brains, and beauty and opportunities, choose to betray their country? Using recently declassified files, STALIN'S APOSTLES explores as never before the treachery of Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, Kim Philby, John Cairncross and Keeper of the Queen's Pictures Anthony Blunt, all radicalised while at Cambridge University in the 1930s. Their clandestine supply of British and US intelligence material gave Stalin an inside track on US and British decision-making until the implosion of the spy-ring in May 1951. There was barely a secret, barely a decision made, that Stalin did not know about, thanks to his Cambridge spies, and his networks in the United States. The Five became tools in Stalin's imperial scheme, responsible directly and indirectly for the death of thousands of men and women fighting against Soviet domination. Shielded for so long by the British Establishment, four of the five were never prosecuted for their crimes. As STALIN'S APOSTLES reveals, they were exposed as much by their own incompetence as by forensic investigation by the CIA, MI5 or MI6. And in time another dictator emerged as ruthless as Stalin, but with an even greater desire to establish a Russian Empire that would threaten Western democracy. The legacy of the Cambridge Five is not only in the graveyards of eastern Europe, but at the heart of Putin's Kremlin. Paul Burke is the new presenter of Spymasters and editor of Aspects of Crime. His first book Spies on Screen: From Silent to Streaming will be published in September. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 9 · 1 hr 13 min
STALIN'S APOSTLES: The Cambridge Five and the making of the Soviet Empire
The Cambridge Five are surrounded by myth. It was time for a new sober and revealing history of the most deadly spy ring ever. Paul Burke talks to Antonia Senior about her new thrilling account of Burgess, Maclean, Philby, Blunt & Cairncross: STALIN'S APOSTLES is a radical new look at the way five people allowed their obsession with Communist ideology to overshadow any sense of morality or decency - or loyalty to their country. Why did these gilded charming men, blessed with brains, and beauty and opportunities, choose to betray their country? Using recently declassified files, STALIN'S APOSTLES explores as never before the treachery of Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, Kim Philby, John Cairncross and Keeper of the Queen's Pictures Anthony Blunt, all radicalised while at Cambridge University in the 1930s. Their clandestine supply of British and US intelligence material gave Stalin an inside track on US and British decision-making until the implosion of the spy-ring in May 1951. There was barely a secret, barely a decision made, that Stalin did not know about, thanks to his Cambridge spies, and his networks in the United States. The Five became tools in Stalin's imperial scheme, responsible directly and indirectly for the death of thousands of men and women fighting against Soviet domination. Shielded for so long by the British Establishment, four of the five were never prosecuted for their crimes. As STALIN'S APOSTLES reveals, they were exposed as much by their own incompetence as by forensic investigation by the CIA, MI5 or MI6. And in time another dictator emerged as ruthless as Stalin, but with an even greater desire to establish a Russian Empire that would threaten Western democracy. The legacy of the Cambridge Five is not only in the graveyards of eastern Europe, but at the heart of Putin's Kremlin. Paul Burke is the new presenter of Spymasters and editor of Aspects of Crime. His first book Spies on Screen: From Silent to Streaming will be published in September. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
March 26 · 1 hr 1 min
Spymasters Documentary - Sky Arts, Director Adrian Munsey
Adrian Munsey, director/writer of Spymasters a new documentary series for Sky Arts talks to Paul Burke about the intersection between history and its representation in film and fiction. The documentary features contributions from Christopher Andrews, academics, writers and has extensive archival footage and movie clips. Featured here: the biography of our times, exploring the boundaries between private and public, reality and perception, truth and myth/propaganda. An ordinance survey of geopolitical realities and the state versus the individual. Why do we love spy fiction, is it to ameliorate our fears or to better understand the world. Adrian Munsey is an entrepreneur, producer, impresario, composer and author. He has enjoyed one of the most varied careers in British media. Spymasters , following on from the Wonderland series of documentaries, is his latest production. Spymasters airs on Sky Arts at 9pm on March, 31st. Paul Burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime and is writing an encyclopedia of spy fiction. His first book, Spies on Screen: From Silent to Streaming will be published in September. Episode produced by Junkyarddog Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
March 12 · 56 min
The Spy Who Shaped Britain: Daniel Defoe and the Secret Politics of Union
What if one of the founders of the English novel was also a spy? In this episode of Spymasters, host Paul Burke speaks with historian Marc Mierowski about the extraordinary secret career of Daniel Defoe. Today Defoe is remembered as the author of Robinson Crusoe, Moll Flanders, and Roxana: The Fortunate Mistress. But long before he became a novelist, he operated in the murky world of intelligence, propaganda, and political influence. Working for the powerful minister Robert Harley, Defoe became a key government agent during the negotiations that led to the Acts of Union 1707. He infiltrated political networks, shaped public opinion through pamphlets, and gathered intelligence across Scotland as Britain struggled to create a new unified state. In this fascinating conversation, we explore: How Daniel Defoe became a government spy The intelligence war behind the Act of Union Pamphlets as the “social media” of the 18th century The economic and political crisis after the Darien Scheme The hidden networks of spies, propagandists and political operatives Why Defoe may have been one of Britain’s earliest modern intelligence agents This is the hidden world of espionage behind one of the most important political transformations in British history. The Club — Leo Damrosch The Lunar Men — Jenny Uglow King Leopold’s Ghost — Adam Hochschild The Wife of Bath — Marion Turner Parallel Lives — Phyllis Rose Also mentioned Janet Malcolm — discussed as an admired writer William Dalrymple — referenced in relation to his books on the East India Company Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 26 · 36 min
Spies and Other Gods: James Wolff on British intelligence, secrecy, and the “soul” of spying
Former British intelligence officer (writing under a pseudonym), James Wolff, joins Antonia Senior for a smart, funny, unflinching conversation about his daring new novel Spies and Other Gods — a spy story told in a totally unexpected voice. We talk secrecy and censorship, the strange culture of intelligence, oversight (and why it rarely works), the moral “grubbiness” baked into espionage, and why the most interesting spy drama is often just two people in a room talking. Buy the book: Waterstones, Amazon, or your favourite indie (links below). Find Antonia on History Book Buffs: YouTube + podcast. Spies and Other Gods (Waterstones): https://www.waterstones.com/book/spies-and-other-gods/james-wolff/9781399826310 Spies and Other Gods (Amazon UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spies-Other-Gods-electrifying-mysterious/dp/139982631X Spies and Other Gods (Daunt Books): https://dauntbooks.co.uk/shop/books/spies-and-other-gods/ History Book Buffs (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@TheHistoryBookBuffs History Book Buffs (Spotify show): https://open.spotify.com/show/1374VWNaaXrnveueY4iclQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 12 · 43 min
A Stranger in Corfu: MI6, Betrayal, and the Island Where Spies Disappear, with Alex Preston
In this episode of Spymasters, Antonia Senior sits down with acclaimed author Alex Preston to discuss his gripping new novel A Stranger in Corfu — a dark, atmospheric story that blends the glamour of the Mediterranean with the psychological wreckage of espionage. At the centre of the novel is Nina, a young MI6 agent dispatched into the collapsing chaos of 1990s Yugoslavia, where the moral certainties of her training collide with the brutal reality of intelligence work. What follows is a haunting journey — one that eventually leads her to a mysterious island off Corfu, a place that feels less like paradise and more like a retirement home for damaged spies. Alex reveals the real-world inspirations behind the story, including Corfu’s extraordinary intelligence history, and the chilling legacy of Operation Valuable — the failed Anglo-American Cold War effort to destabilise communist Albania. This is an episode about idealism, betrayal, compromised souls, and the seductive power of “beautiful lies.” If you love John le Carré, moral complexity, or spy stories that feel uncomfortably real… you’re going to love this conversation. 🔗 Buy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Stranger+in+Corfu+Alex+Preston 🔗 Buy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Stalin%27s+Apostles+Antonia+Senior If you love deep-dive history, espionage stories, and book-led discussions… 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HistoryBookBuffs 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4eI5pI5YFZy9Oa4XwQ7m9c 🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/search?term=History%20Book%20Buffs A Stranger in Corfu, Alex Preston, Spymasters podcast, MI6 spy novel, espionage fiction, Corfu spy history, Operation Valuable, Cold War operations, John le Carré influence, moral ambiguity, literary spy thriller, Yugoslavia intelligence, British intelligence fiction, CIA and MI6 operations, spy retirement island, psychological espionage fiction Spy fiction is at its best when it’s morally uncomfortable. Nina’s story captures the psychological cost of being trained to lie for a living. Corfu isn’t just beautiful — it’s a landscape soaked in Cold War intrigue. Operation Valuable remains one of the most fascinating and disastrous intelligence missions of the era. The novel’s dual timeline structure deepens both suspense and emotional impact. Espionage isn’t about heroes and villains — it’s about people trying to survive the compromises they’ve made. “What drives us all?” “Is it ever worth it?” “A dark wave that is constantly about to break.” 00:00 – Introduction to Alex and A Stranger in Corfu 02:37 – Why Corfu is the perfect spy setting 06:51 – Kim Philby, betrayal, and the ghost of intelligence history 11:25 – Nina’s story and the power of a dual timeline 16:48 – The moral ambiguities of espionage 20:59 – Generational links and inherited damage 26:50 – Idealism vs. reality in the spy world 30:06 – The seduction of “beautiful lies” 35:23 – Nina, trauma, and the dark wave 38:47 – Future projects and closing thoughts Please consider following Spymasters, leaving a rating, and sharing the episode with a fellow spy-fiction addict. Because the truth is rarely clean… and espionage never ends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
January 29 · 43 min
From CIA to Spy Novelist: The Israel–Iran Shadow War Behind The Persian | David McCloskey
Former CIA analyst and bestselling spy novelist David McCloskey returns to Spymasters to talk to Antonia Senior about his new thriller The Persian — a razor-sharp spy story set inside the Israel–Iran shadow war. We discuss how real-world covert operations (from sabotage to targeted assassinations) have shaped modern espionage, and how spy fiction can capture the human cost of clandestine conflict: fear, tradecraft, loyalty, identity, and moral compromise. McCloskey breaks down how he researches intelligence operations using open-source reporting and conversations with former practitioners — and why he chose to write a spy novel with no Americans at the center of the story. We also explore the culture and risk tolerance differences between intelligence services, the evolution of surveillance and remote warfare, and the perennial question: should writers “stay in their lane,” or is imagining other lives the whole point of fiction? What the Israel–Iran covert conflict looks like — and why it’s perfect terrain for a spy novel The premise of The Persian: a Persian Jewish dentist recruited as a Mossad asset Researching espionage through open-source intelligence (OSINT), reporting, and real tradecraft insight Mossad vs CIA: risk tolerance, bureaucracy, operational style, and culture Remote and tech-enabled killing — drones, distance, and the changing nature of modern war Writing morally complex characters (and why the book isn’t a “morality play”) Representation in fiction: writing characters outside your own experience A teaser for McCloskey’s next novel: CIA and MI6 under strain — and spying on each other again David McCloskey is a former CIA analyst and the author of multiple acclaimed spy novels including Damascus Station, Moscow X, and The Seventh Floor. His work is known for its operational authenticity and insider-level realism — without losing sight of the human story. The Persian is out now (publication-day episode). Available wherever you buy books, or here: https://amzn.eu/d/5DzqbwC If you enjoy deep-dive conversations on espionage, intelligence history, covert action, tradecraft, and spy fiction, hit Follow on Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and leave a rating — it helps more listeners find the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
January 15 · 1 hr 2 min
KGB Literati: How Soviet Spy Fiction Shaped the Secret State
What happens when a secret police force writes its own novels? In this episode of Spymasters, Antonia Senior is joined by academic and KGB expert Filip Kovacevic to explore the hidden world of Soviet spy fiction—and the extraordinary role it played inside the KGB itself. Drawing on his book KGB Literati, Kovacevic reveals how intelligence officers, counter-spies, and veterans of state security became novelists, producing stories designed to shape public opinion, recruit future officers, and redefine the image of the KGB within Soviet society. From the early post-war novels of Roman Kim to the officially sanctioned Chekist Stories series produced by the KGB Press Bureau, the conversation uncovers how fiction became a tool of counterintelligence, psychological influence, and regime legitimacy. We also examine why Western intelligence analysts paid close attention to these books, how they influenced a young Vladimir Putin, and why the tradition continues today under the FSB and SVR. A deep dive into propaganda, imagination, and power—and a reminder that in espionage, stories can be as important as secrets. Find the book: https://amzn.eu/d/fRVZgoI Find Filip on X: @chekistmonitor on the web: thechekistmonitor.blogspot.com on substack: https://kgbstack.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 11, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
Spymasters and Aspects of Crime Books of the Year 2025!
This special crossover episode brings together espionage and crime fans for a fast-paced round-table on our Books of the Year 2025. Antonia Senior (Spymasters) is joined by: Paul Burke – host of Aspects of Crime Mark Ellis – bestselling author of the Frank Merlin series Thomas Waugh – author of Endgame Together we unpack the best in spy fiction, crime writing, historical thrillers and intelligence non-fiction—from World War II espionage and Cold War intrigue to the new era of China-focused spy thrillers. Books discussed include: The Darkest Winter by Carlo Lucarelli Appointment in Paris by Jane Thynne The Second Traitor by Alex Gerlis The Peak by Sam Guthrie Shadow of a Queen by Peter Tonkin The Predicament by William Boyd Smoke and Embers by John Lawton The Poet’s Game by Paul Vidich Clown Town by Mick Herron The Revolutionists by Jason Burke Man of Bones by Ben Creed The Spy in the Archives by Gordon Corera Expect passionate debate, insider recommendations, Cold War gossip, a very loud puppy, and a surprising amount of Noel Coward. Perfect listening for fans of John le Carré, Mick Herron, Len Deighton, Helen Fry, and anyone hunting for genuinely brilliant new espionage reads. 🎙️ Spymasters x Aspects of Crime – Books of the Year 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 27, 2025 · 39 min
China, Espionage and the Price of Compromise: The Peak, with San Guthrie
Former diplomat and political insider Sam Guthrie joins Antonia Senior to talk about Chinese espionage, industrial spying and his debut Hong Kong–set thriller, The Peak. Blending politics, business and spycraft, the novel follows an unreliable narrator, a dangerous love triangle and a single act of compromise that changes everything. Sam and Antonia dig into how modern China, ASIO-style counterintelligence, and the clash between national security and trade shaped the book. They explore honey traps, business delegations gone wrong, and why ordinary executives—not just spooks—are now targets for Chinese intelligence and industrial espionage. The conversation ranges from Australia–China relations and foreign interference laws to AI, quantum computing and the future of great-power competition. Along the way, they discuss the human side of spying: flawed characters, loyalty, guilt, and how a 1990s mixtape becomes both a love letter and a vehicle for secret messages. In this episode: Chinese espionage, industrial spying and national security Hong Kong, Australia and the new front line of geopolitics Compromise, honey traps and how people get turned Writing flawed, unlikeable but compelling characters China’s rise, Western naivety and what might come next Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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