Bestselling crime novelist Peter James, known for his Roy Grace series, joins to discuss his new introduction to the classic thriller, The Eagle Has Landed. He reveals how Jack Higgins redefined the genre and shares insights into character development, rooting for villains, and the balance of planning versus action in thrillers. Peter also talks about the inspiration behind his latest novel, The Hawk Is Dead, which received royal approval, and his extensive research into Buckingham Palace, highlighting the dynamics of writing royal characters.