Spybrary Spy Podcast

Shane delivers you his brush pass review on The Righteous Spy written by Merle Nygate.

On Episode 67 of the Spybrary Podcast, author David Holman shares more about his Alex Swan trilogy novels.

On Episode 66 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast, our panel discusses the writing of Helen MacInnes once dubbed the 'Queen of Spy Writers.' Join author Merle Nygate, Spy fan Alice Dryden and host Shane Whaley as they discuss the spy novels of Helen MacInnes, also features a submission from Mike Ripley.

On today's Spybrary Spy Podcast, Spybrarian Jason King joins host Shane Whaley to share with us his 5 favourite spy books published in 2018!

On this episode of the Spybrary Spy Podcast Jeff Quest (Spywrite) reveals the top 10 spy movies as voted on by our Spybrary listeners. Jeff takes you through the top 10 in descending order, Shane and Jeff also talk about what is on their Christmas wish list as well as what new books they intend to read over the holiday period.

James Bond is Back! It has been some time since we dedicated a whole episode to Britain's not so secret agent. Today we rectify that with a long overdue chat with the men behind what I consider to be one of THE best James Bond Facebook Groups -The Hildebrand Group It has been ages since we dedicated an entire episode to James Bond, today he is back on the agenda on the Spybrary Spy Podcast! On this episode of the Spybrary Spy Podcast Host Shane Whaley is joined by Hildebrand Group Founders, Alex Moir, Ian Douglas and Scott Everritt. They reveal what makes The Hildebrand James Bond Facebook Group so special and why you should consider joining. They explain that the group is a safe house for those who love the books of Ian Fleming as well as the movies. They offer a safe haven for those who just prefer the books of Fleming or those who just enjoy the 007 movies.

On this episode of the Spybrary Spy Podcast we talk to author Merle Nygate all about her first espionage novel The Righteous Spy In a Goodreads review - Spybrary listener Gary Dexter raves that The Righteous Spy is: The best espionage book that I have read with a contemporary U.K. setting since Mick Herron's "Slow Horse" series. Gary Dexter, Spybrarian Gary has read many a spy novel in his time and does not dish out the praise lightly so we were intrigued to talk to Merle Nygate and find out more. A twisting international spy thriller, The Righteous Spy is a shocking page turner that portrays a clandestine world in which moral transgressions serve higher causes. A must-read for fans of Homeland, Fauda and The Americans, it will also appeal to readers of Charles Cumming and John le Carré. Merle Nygate is a screenwriter, script editor, screenwriting lecturer and novelist; she's worked on BAFTA winning TV, New York Festival audio drama and written original sitcoms; previously she worked for BBC Comedy Commissioning as well as writing and script editing across multiple genres. Most recently, Merle completed her first espionage novel which won the Little Brown/UEA Crime Fiction Award. It was described by the judge as 'outstanding'. In this Spybrary Podcast interview the author of the Righteous Spy reveals that her book was inspired by feedback she received in a class exercise whilst studying for a MA in Crime Fiction.  She shares more about her research for the book and also talks us through her writing process and inspiration. This is a candid discussion with an author who knows her way around the greats (she lists Len Deighton as her favourite spy author) and shares the story of a pivotal moment when she decided to take writing seriously whilst passing a book store on her way back to her office job one lunch time.

On Episode 61 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast, Shane and Karl talk about the recently released book from Geoff Dyer titled 'Broadsword Calling Danny Boy' on Where Eagles Dare. In this no holds barred discussion two well read spy fans give you their assessment of the book. Karl Gunner Øen becomes the first Norwegian spy fan to join us on the Spybrary Spy Podcast. Karl is an avid reader of spy lit and watcher of spy movies. We talk briefly about spy fiction in Norway as well as the activities of real life Norwegian Spy Catcher Ørnulf Tofte. Please check out this video about the KGB in Oslo. Especially of interest if you have read The Spy and The Traitor by Ben Macintrye as it concerns one Arne Treholt who features in the book.

Listeners of Spybrary met up in Berlin to follow in the footsteps of Len Deighton's Bernard Samson. Be a fly on the wall as the Spybrarians visit Berlin landmarks. Listen to the spy book, tv, movie and music chat as the beers flow!

Spybrary Spy Podcast and the SpyWrite Spy blog have teamed up to give you a a chance to vote for your favourite spy movies in our Spy Movie Hall of Fame poll. On this, our 59th episode Spywrite’s Jeff Quest and Spybrary Host Shane Whaley talk through the movies nominated by Spybrarians in our Listeners facebook group. Jeff and Shane talk through the good, the bad and the not yet watched! Rather than just voting for your current favourites, why not join us in watching some of those nominated movies that you have never watched before? Shane is catching up with OSS 117 – Mission to Tokyo, Jeff is finally going to watch Billion Dollar Brain! Spy Movie Hall of Fame Voting Booth – vote here. Deadline is November Friday 16th. We will announce the top 10 on a future episode of Spybrary, a special round table edition where the panels will deep dive and share their thoughts on the winning spy movies. Shane and Jeff also chat through what spy books and spy tv shows they have been reading and watching of late.