Simon Mayo's Books Of The Year

Chris Brookmyre joins Simon and Matt to chat about his latest novel.You may have heard Mark Billingham on one of our previous Q&A episodes rave about The Cracked Mirror? Well, he did such a good job - we read it, and loved it too! So we had to have Chris on!The idea for the book came from a discussion with his Editor, who was looking for a meta crime novel. Chris has never been one to shy away from a challenge, and loves to mix up genres, so he came up with an elevator pitch "What would happen if Miss Marple had to work with Harry Bosch?"What we have is The Cracked Mirror - where cosy crime meets the grittier end of the scale. (more on the book below)As well as his new novel, Chris discusses his gig at Glastonbury, his writing processes and how and why the crime writing community is so supportive.THE CRACKED MIRRORYou know Penny Coyne. The little old lady who has solved multiple murders in her otherwise sleepy village, despite bumbling local police. A razor-sharp mind in a twinset and tweed.You know Johnny Hawke. Hard-bitten LAPD homicide detective. Always in trouble with his captain, always losing partners, but always battling for the truth, whatever it takes.Against all the odds, against the usual story, their worlds are about to collide. It starts with a dead writer and a mysterious wedding invitation. It will end with a rabbit hole that goes so deep, Johnny and Penny might come to question not just whodunnit, but whether they want to know the answer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Whitaker joins Simon Mayo and Matt Williams for the Q&A episode.He discusses the last book he really REALLy enjoyed reading, his writing routine and who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party.Also, in an exclusive, he reveals us what his next book is about and what we can expect!Author of The List Of Suspicious Things, Jennie Godfrey, surprises Chris with a question - and - we find out what profession he might have chosen, if he hadn't become an author.*if you missed our chat with Chris about his new novel, All The Colours Of The Dark, you can find it wherever you're listening to this one! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Novelist Chris Whitaker joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new book, All The Colours Of The Dark.Chris worked in the City for many years as a trader, before quitting to write. He talks openly about a traumatic incident which turned him on to writing, as well as how long it takes him to write each novel. (if you're thinking about writing, don't let this put you off!)We also learn about how he creates his characters, and the importance of dialogue to his writing and plotting.More about the book below:Late one summer, the town of Monta Clare is shattered by the abduction of teenager Joseph 'Patch' Macauley. Nobody more so than Saint Brown, who will risk everything to find her best friend.But when she does: it will break her heart.Patch lies alone in a pitch-black room - until he feels a hand in his. Her name is Grace and, though they cannot see each other, she lights their world with her words.But when he escapes: there is no sign she ever even existed.Left with only her voice and her name, he paints her from broken memories - and charts an epic search to find her.As years turn to decades, and hope becomes obsession, Saint will shadow his journey - on a darker path to hunt down the man who took them - and set free the only boy she ever loved.Even if finding the truth means losing each other forever... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian and writer David Baddiel shares some of his writing processes and reading traits that he is not a fan of.He also tells us the book he has really enjoyed reading recently and who we would invite to his fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Baddiel joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new non-fiction book, 'My Family: The Memoir'He discusses his relationship with his mum and dad, some of the hilarious anecdotes from his childhood that appear in the book and the love that he has for both his parents, despite their quirks and faults.His family life growing up was complicated, and David doesn't shy away from telling the home truths of his upbringing.Simon and Matt also discuss David's brilliant new podcast, "A Muslim And A Jew Go There" which he co presents with Sayeeda Warsi.Here's some more gumf on the book:A searingly honest, funny and moving family memoir in which David Baddiel exposes his mother’s idiosyncratic sex life, and his father’s dementia, to the same affectionate scrutiny.On the surface, David Baddiel’s childhood was fairly standard: a lower-middle-class Jewish family living in an ordinary house in Dollis Hill, north-west London. But David came to realise that his mother was in fact not ordinary at all. Having escaped extermination by fleeing Nazi Germany as a child, she was desperate to make her life count, which took the form of a passionate, decades-long affair with a golfing memorabilia salesman. David’s detailing of the affair – including a hilarious focus on how his mother turned their household over to golf memorabilia, and an eye-popping cache of her erotic writings – leads to the inescapable conclusion that Sarah Baddiel was a cross between Jack Niklaus and Erica Jong.Meanwhile, as Baddiel investigates his family’s past, his father’s memories are fading; dementia is making him moodier and more disinhibited, with an even greater penchant for obscenity. As with his mother’s affair, there is both comedy and poignancy to be found: laughter is a constant presence, capable of transforming the darkest of experiences into something redemptive.My Family: The Memoir is David Baddiel’s candid examination of his childhood, family and memory offering a twisted love letter to his parents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Billingham joins Simon and Matt in the studio to chat about some of his favourite authors, writing processes and research.We surprise him with a question from fellow author and fan, Abir Mukherjee, and also find out which authors he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Billingham joins Simon and Matt in the studio for a chat about his new character, Detective Miller. They discuss the fine line between comedy and crime, why Mark chose Blackpool as the setting for his new series and why you should always come back to an idea. We also try to find out what advice he gave Richard Osman, before he became an author...Here's more on 'The Wrong Hands': This is one case Miller won't want to open . . .Unconventional Detective Declan Miller has a problem. Still desperate to solve the murder of his wife, a young man has just appeared on his doorstep with a briefcase . . . containing a pair of severed hands.Miller knows this case is proof of a contract killing commissioned by local ne'er do well Wayne Cutler - a man he suspects might also be responsible for his wife's death. Now Miller has leverage, but unfortunately he also has something that both Cutler and a villainous fast-food kingpin are desperate to get hold of.Chuck in a Midsomer Murders-obsessed hitman, a psychotic welder and a woman driven over the edge by a wayward Crème Egg, and Miller is in a mess that even he might not be able to dance his way out of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling novelist and journalist, Andrew O'Hagan, tells us about the last book he REALLY enjoyed reading, as well as revealing some insights into his writing processes.He also answers a question from our special guest, Monica Ali, and reveals who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling author and journalist, Andrew O'Hagan, joins Simon and Matt to discuss his latest novel, Calendonian Road.They talk about the inspiration behind the book, the ever-changing landscape of British politics and pandemics and why it took a decade to write.Andrew also gives us an insight into the creation of some of his characters, and tells us a great story about his time aboard a luxury yacht! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling crime writer, Abir Mukherjee, discusses his favourite authors, books, and tells us about his writing processes.He talks about working to deadlines (or not), how he orders his bookshelves and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices