Spybrary Spy Podcast
240 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 70 ratingsSpybrary is a podcast for fans of spy books, spy tv and spy movies since 2017. We bring you author interviews and reader discussions on our favorite spy books and novels.
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Episodes
The Spy Who Changed History - Brush Pass Review
July 09, 2022 16:05 - 8 minutes - 6.08 MBSpybrary field agent Erich Wagner slipped us this brush pass review of the nonfiction spy book The Spy Who Changed History by Svetlana Lokhova Erich tells us that the book will especially appeal to those of us with an interest in pre cold war Soviet deep cover espionage. More about the book: On the trail of Soviet infiltrator Stanislav Shumovsky, codenamed Agent BLÉRIOT, Svetlana Lokhova takes the reader on a thrilling journey through Stalin’s most audacious intelligence operation....
Summer Update from Spybrary
July 07, 2022 11:52 - 6 minutes - 4.58 MBShane shares a quick announcement on upcoming episodes and explains why there has been a lull in episodes of late.
With A Mind To A Kill - A James Bond Novel - Review
June 20, 2022 13:14 - 9 minutes - 7.33 MBJames Bond fan and Spybrary's Head of Station SA, Matt Raubenheimer gives us his spoiler-free thoughts on the latest James Bond 007 novel With A Mind To A Kill written by Anthony Horowitz. It is M's funeral. One man is missing from the graveside: the traitor who pulled the trigger and who is now in custody, accused of M's murder - James Bond. Behind the Iron Curtain, a group of former Smersh agents want to use the British spy in an operation that will change the balance of world power. Bon...
Agent in Berlin by Alex Gerlis - Spy Book Review
June 09, 2022 19:35 - 14 minutes - 9.95 MBShane Whaley delivers a brush pass review on Agent in Berlin by Alex Gerlis To live among wolves, first, you must become one... An unmissable new spy thriller from best-selling master of the genre, Alex Gerlis. War is coming to Europe. British spymaster Barnaby Allen begins recruiting a network of agents in Germany. With diplomatic relations quickly unravelling, this pack of spies soon comes into their own: the horse-loving German at home in Berlin's underground; the young American sports...
Otto Penzler on meeting Spy Fiction Authors and Collecting Books
May 12, 2022 00:40 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBThis week, Spywrite's Jeff Quest welcomes Otto Penzler to the show. Otto shares stories from his many years of collecting books and meeting spy fiction authors. You’ll hear stories about Eric Ambler, Charles McCarry, John le Carré and many more. , Plus, hear about his meeting with Len Deighton, how Ross Thomas nearly lost out on a million dollars, and a shocking revelation about a piece by Quiller writer Adam Hall.
Ian Fleming's From Russia With Love - James Bond Book Club
April 29, 2022 17:52 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBThe year is 1957 and our guests share their thoughts on the latest James Bond novel From Russia With Love written by Ian Fleming.
All the Old Knives with Olen Steinhauer and Janus Metz
April 03, 2022 17:36 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBOn April 8th, Amazon releases the movie adaptation of Olen Steinhauer's All the Old Knives. In today's episode, two of our most knowledgable spy movie experts and Spybrary agents Matthew Bradford and Jack Lescamela chat with author and screenwriter Olen Steinhauer and the director of All The Old Knives, Janus Metz. Hello, and welcome to episode 181 of the Spybrary podcast. Today, I'm delighted to serve you an absolute treat a couple of weeks ago, we received an email from the PR folks over...
Apple TV's Slow Horses with Gary Oldman Review
April 01, 2022 11:52 - 1 hour - 45.9 MBSpybrary joins forces with the Barbican Station podcast to discuss Apple TV's Slow Horses series starring Gary Oldman which airs today. The first half of this episode is spoiler-free. Today is the day many of us have been waiting for, the Apple TV's Slow Horses series starring Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb is now airing. Through one of our agents I was able to get an early screening of Slow Horses and today you will listen to three of us running the rule over episodes 1 and 2. If you ha...
To Betray You Must First Belong, Charlotte Philby talks Edith and KIm!
March 30, 2022 11:15 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBToday, we bring you a spy author interview. Spybrary hosts Shane Whaley and Peter Newman find out more about Charlotte Philby's latest novel, Edith and Kim. Charlotte also shares memories of her grandfather, Kim Philby, and reveals some interesting responses in the world-famous Spybrary Quickfire Round!
Diamonds Are Forever - The James Bond Book Club is Back!
March 26, 2022 15:36 - 1 hour - 46.8 MBWe get in our time machine and head for 1956 to review the latest Ian Fleming James Bond 007 novel, Diamonds Are Forever. With David Craggs, author Andy Onyx and Spybrary Host Shane Whaley. What is the Spybrary James Bond Book Club exactly and what makes it different from other 007 book clubs? On the James Bond Book Club, we get in our time machine and go back to the year of publication. We dissect each of the Ian Fleming 007 novels in order and include themes such as : 1) Discussing th...
Spy Game Metal Gear Solid - Brush Pass Review
March 19, 2022 18:49 - 9 minutes - 6.46 MBAnd now for something completely different. We just decoded a brush pass from, author Clarke Mayer who shares his thoughts on a spy video game called Metal Gear Solid.
Red Widow, Interview with Alma Katsu
February 27, 2022 15:09 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MBWelcome to Episode 176 of the Spybrary Spy Book podcast. Spywrite's Jeff Quest speaks to author Alma Katsu, formerly with the NSA and CIA. Katsu’s latest book, Red Widow, follows a CIA mole hunt. It’s been optioned for television and is out in paperback on March 1st. They discuss switching from NSA to CIA and back again, the explosive growth of social media and its effect on espionage, and the unique challenges women face in government bureaucracies. Plus, we talk a bit about some of the...
The Matchmaker A Spy In Berlin with Paul Vidich
February 24, 2022 12:30 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBSpy Author Paul Vidich returns to the Spybrary Spy Podcast to talk about his latest spy novel The Matchmaker, set in Berlin in 1989. In the vein of Graham Greene and John le Carré, The Matchmaker delivers a chilling Cold War spy story set in West Berlin, where an American woman targeted by the Stasi must confront the truth behind her German husband's mysterious disappearance. More about The Matchmaker - A Spy in Berlin by Paul Vidich Berlin, 1989. Protests across East Germany threaten th...
The Baron and Enemy of the State - Spy TV review
February 22, 2022 21:27 - 1 hour - 50.8 MBIn this episode of Spy Rewind Matthew and Jeff take a look at the episode "Enemy of the State" of the 60’s tv show The Baron. They discuss some reasons why The Baron was a misfire upon its release in the US, Steve Forest’s living up to his name with some wooden acting, and marvel at the head scratching decision to switch the character from an actual Baron into an American oil baron. Plus they discuss important considerations to remember before arranging your border spy swap! All that a...
Damascus Station with David McCloskey
February 12, 2022 20:15 - 1 hour - 43 MBWelcome to Episode 173 of the Spybrary Spy Book podcast. Today, we bring you a spy author interview. Spybrary hosts Shane Whaley and David Craggs find out more about Damascus Station with spy writer, author, and former CIA analyst David McCloskey
Spooks/MI5 Spy TV Show Review - Spy Rewind (172)
January 31, 2022 16:49 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBIn this episode of Spy Rewind Matthew and Jeff take a look at the episode "I Spy Apocalypse" of the early 2000’s tv show called Spooks in the UK and MI5 in the US. They discuss how the show helped revive the tv spy, why VX gas is so nasty and you should avoid being trapped in with your officemates at the end of the world. Plus Jeff reveals what he thinks is a hidden connection between the show and HBO’s Succession! All that and more in this episode of the Spybrary Spy Podcast. Mentioned o...
Audible's Most Prolific Narrator Scott Brick Chats with Spybrary Spy Podcast
January 16, 2022 18:27 - 1 hour - 46.1 MBIf like me, you are a big fan of audiobooks then it is highly likely that you have listened to today's guest Scott Brick narrating one of your favorite thriller audiobooks. In this conversation, Shane finds out more about life behind the mic with Scott Brick. We learn how he got started in the business plus some of his tips and tricks for delivering engaging audio and top drawer storytelling. Scott Brick also answers Spybrary listener questions such as: You recorded an excellent new vers...
Best Spy Books of 2021 according to Jason King!
January 08, 2022 20:16 - 1 hour - 52.7 MBJason King returns to the Spybrary Podcast for his annual appearance to share his best espionage novels of 2021. This is the most requested feature of Spybrary, requested by spouses, friends, and relatives who purchase Birthday and Holiday presents for loved ones based on the Jason King picks. (I kid you not!)
Spy TV Show Review - The Man from U.N.C.L.E with Robert Short
December 31, 2021 16:33 - 1 hour - 59.4 MBIn this New Year’s Eve episode of Spy Rewind Matthew and Jeff welcome a special guest. Oscar winner and Man From U.N.C.L.E. superfan Robert Short join them to take a look at "The Adriatic Express Affair" a New Year’s Eve-themed episode of the classic 60’s spy show. They discuss how Bob would explore the sets of U.N.C.L.E. as a kid, his family connection to the show, and some of the ways U.N.C.L.E. broke new spy tv ground. Plus we talk about terrible double entendres, questionable spy gadget...
Spybrary Panel dives into some of the most serious and silly questions faced by spy fans.
December 26, 2021 14:28 - 1 hour - 76.8 MBIn this episode of Spybrary Jeff dives into some of the most serious and silly questions faced by spy fans. He is joined by an all-star panel of guests - Jeremy Duns, Hannah Cooper and Shane Whaley. They tackle a wide range of espionage enigmas. Some of the questions covered are - From now on either every spy novel must be set in Berlin or no spy novels can ever be set in Berlin again. Which do you choose? Would you use your kid as camouflage while doing spy activity? Volcan...
Spy Author Interview - How to Betray Your Country with James Wolff
December 17, 2021 15:35 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBWelcome to Episode 167 of the Spybrary Spy Book podcast. Today, we bring you a spy author interview. Spybrary host Shane Whaley finds out more about How to Betray Your Country with spy writer, author James Wolff Something I want to address with you all before we get into the conversation, the elephant in the room, James Wolff is not the author's real name. James Wolff reveals he has worked for the British government but does not reveal which branch nor where he was based. As a Spybrarian,...
Spy Author Interview - Matthew Richardson talks spy books with Tim Shipman
December 11, 2021 17:51 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MBLondon Station has fizzed into action, Sunday Times journalist and Spybrary contributor Tim Shipman chats with spy author Matthew Richardson. They discuss Matthew's spy novels, his writing style, his literary influences plus they pay tribute to the new generation of spy writers. And much more!!
Spy TV Show Review - Intelligence starring David Schwimmer and Nick Mohammed
November 28, 2021 20:40 - 55 minutes - 51 MBSpy Rewind is back with Matthew and Jeff taking a look at the currently airing spy comedy starring David Schwimmer and Nick Mohammed - Intelligence. They discuss whether GCHQ is held in less esteem than MI5 or MI6, why spying is the perfect setting for a workplace comedy, and how Intelligence has more laughs than Ted Lasso. Plus, why Nick Mohammed was more interested in the GCHQ cafeteria than the eavesdropping and when the computer asks you to delete those files, think twice! All that...
Spycraft with ex CIA 'gadget guy' and author Robert Wallace
November 13, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 65.9 MBIn this episode of the Spybrary Spy Podcast Jeff Quest speaks to the former director of CIA’s Technical Service Robert Wallace about his time in the CIA and the various non-fiction books he has co-authored since leaving the agency. They discuss how the CIA is similar to all other bureaucracies, why spy tech is so important for successful spy operations and how hard it can sometimes be to get past the CIA Publications Review Board. Plus, we talk about the spy that pulled the “Reverse Be...
Spy Rewind - Get Smart and the golden age of Spy TV! (163)
October 23, 2021 16:09 - 1 hour - 71.1 MBSpy Rewind is back! Matthew Bradford and Jeff Quest go deep on an episode of Spy TV show Get Smart! Shownotes at www.spybrary.com/163 Please consider subscribing to Spybrary so you don't miss out on future episodes.
Transcription by Kate Atkinson
October 20, 2021 17:10 - 8 minutes - 7.38 MBAuthor CP Bennison gives us her thoughts on the spy novel Transcription by Kate Atkinson on the Spybrary Spy Book Podcast. Brush Pass Review. Transcription is a spy novel by British novelist Kate Atkinson, published in September 2018. The novel focuses on the activities of British orphan Juliet Armstrong throughout World War II and afterwards, and how she begins a career as a low-level transcriptionist for MI5, before rising through the ranks.
The return of Dead Drop 5 with author Andy Onyx (161)
October 12, 2021 19:48 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MBAuthor Andy Onyx shares the 5 spy books, movies and tv shows he would want to be stashed in his dead drop. (our riff on desert island discs with a spy twist!) Check out our Facebook group for more spy discussions and chat!
The Man Who Was Thursday - Spy Book review (160)
October 03, 2021 17:34 - 10 minutes - 7.56 MBAuthor Andy Onyx gives us the lowdown on G K Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday on the Spybrary Spy Book Podcast.
Spy Rewind - Spy TV Show Covert Affairs (159)
August 01, 2021 19:16 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBIn this episode of Spy Rewind, Double O Section's Matthew Bradford and SpyWrite's Jeff Quest take a look at the globetrotting cable spy tv show Covert Affairs. They discuss whether all spies need to meet at the Berlin listening station, the benefits of location shoots and how to be a “fashion-forward” spy. Plus, Bowie in Berlin, R.E.M., cliff diving white Jaguars, and Jeff makes another failed attempt at an accent, this time German! All that and more in this episode of Spybrary.
The Grey Men: Pursuing the Stasi into the Present with former FBI Agent Ralph Hope
July 29, 2021 20:58 - 1 hour - 42 MBGuest host Steven Minegar chats with author Ralph Hope about his latest book. What do you do with a hundred thousand idle spies? By 1990 the Berlin Wall had fallen and the East German state security service folded. For forty years, they had amassed more than a billion pages in manila files detailing the lives of their citizens. Almost a hundred thousand Stasi employees, many of them experienced officers with access to highly personal information, found themselves unemployed overnight. ...
The True History of the Women of SOE - Mission France with Dr. Kate Vigurs
July 26, 2021 20:52 - 1 hour - 42.7 MBMission France tells the full story of the thirty-nine female SOE agents who went undercover in France. We interview the author, historian Dr. Kate Vigurs to find out more.
Spy Rewind - Danger Man (156)
July 18, 2021 14:47In this episode of Spy Rewind - Matthew and Jeff take a look at the groundbreaking 1960 TV series Danger Man, specifically the episode - Time to Kill. They discuss whether John Drake is the JFK of spies, why you should always keep your bullets in loaves of bread, and the proper attire for an assassin. Plus, rock out to Jeff’s rendition of the song Secret Agent Man! All that and more in this episode of Spybrary. links at www.spybrary.com/156
Spy Rewind - Danger Man (156)
July 18, 2021 14:47In this episode of Spy Rewind - Matthew and Jeff take a look at the groundbreaking 1960 TV series Danger Man, specifically the episode - Time to Kill. They discuss whether John Drake is the JFK of spies, why you should always keep your bullets in loaves of bread, and the proper attire for an assassin. Plus, rock out to Jeff’s rendition of the song Secret Agent Man! All that and more in this episode of Spybrary. links at www.spybrary.com/156
Spy Book Collectors - Collecting John le Carré novels (155)
July 04, 2021 17:50 - 59 minutes - 39.3 MBWe talk with one of the foremost collectors of John le Carré, Steven Ritterman, whose collection of pristine le Carré editions numbers over 300 items. We learn about the Haycroft-Queen list, rare signed editions and Steve’s undercover mission to meet le Carré himself. All that plus talk on champagne toasts with Otto Penzler, meeting Eric Ambler, literal juggling balls and a little Silverview talk from a couple of le Carré collectors.
Spy Rewind - Scarecrow and Mrs. King Review (154)
June 11, 2021 19:12 - 1 hour - 39.6 MBJeff and Matthew are back with the latest Spy Rewind where they take a look at a specific episode of a Spy tv show and talk about that episode plus a bit about the series as a whole. This week they discuss the 1980’s show Scarecrow and Mrs. King
The Alpha List by Ted Allbeury (Brush Pass)
June 06, 2021 12:15 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBSpybrary Spy Podcast Host Shane Whaley gives us his brush pass spy book review of The Alpha List by Ted Allbeury. 'Truly a classic writer of espionage fiction' - Len Deighton Dave Marsh and Charlie Kelly grew up together on the backstreets of Birmingham. Now Charlie is a Labour MP and Dave an Intelligence agent. When Charlie comes under suspicion of passing secrets to the Russians, Dave is given the task of investigating his old friend. He seems to be able to prove his case soon enough,...
Spy Rewind - Review of Mr Palfrey of Westminster (152)
May 31, 2021 13:13 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBIn this episode of Spy Rewind Matthew and Jeff take a look at the 1985 TV series Mr Palfrey of Westminster, specifically series two episode - Official Secret. They discuss the joy of seeing London in all it’s 80’s glory, the alarming decline of walking stick/umbrella shops, and whether there really were Soviet moles hiding under every MI5 couch cushion. Plus, revel in Jeff’s terrible English and Russian accents! All that and more in this episode of Spybrary.
Adventures in Spy Research with Jeremy Duns and Jeff Quest (151)
May 20, 2021 20:54 - 1 hour - 52.7 MBJeremy Duns and Jeff Quest talk through some of the in’s and out’s of research, and especially spy research, in the hopes of encouraging others to do research too. We talk about the lost Pinkerton manuscript, the time Jeremy nearly got kicked out of an interview before it even started, how Jeff got the title of an author’s book wrong within 30 seconds of starting an interview and why you should turn every page. All that and more in this episode of Spybrary.
Spybrary at 150! Special Transmission for all Spybrarians (150)
May 12, 2021 16:42 - 8 minutes - 6.3 MBA special message to Spybrary listeners around the world to celebrate episode 150!
Spybrary at 150! Special Transmission for all Spybrarians (150)
May 12, 2021 16:42A special message to Spybrary listeners around the world to celebrate episode 150!
Interview with James Stejskal author of Question of Time - A Cold War Spy Thriller (149)
April 23, 2021 19:47 - 44 minutes - 31 MBToday, we bring you another spy author interview on the Spybrary Podcast. We are chatting with author James Stejskal who has just penned his first-ever spy fiction novel titled A Question of Time. Some of you may know James from his non-fiction books, especially an absolute cracker - Special Forces Berlin. James draws on his time serving in Cold War Berlin and even weaves the head of the Stasi Erich Mielke and East Germany spymaster Markus Wolf into the story in a credible fashion. And ...
Black Heart by Eric Van Lustbader Spy Book Review with Andy Onyx
April 11, 2021 19:41 - 14 minutes - 10 MBToday we decode a brush pass transmission, a spy book review of Eric Von Lustbader's Black Heart. Author and Spy Book fan, Andy Onyx gives us his brush pass spy book review of Black Heart by Eric Von Lustbader.
Spy Rewind - Spy TV Show Alias Remembered (147)
April 02, 2021 17:39 - 1 hour - 47 MBSpy Rewind time - Jeff and Matthew take a look back at the early 2000’s spy show Alias. Starring Jennifer Garner it was one of the first spy shows to air after 9/11 and catapulted numerous people both in front of and behind the camera to further success. The guys talk about the effect of 9/11 on spy shows, the changing look at gender roles for spies, whether it’s a good or bad thing to have a mystery box and how hard it must be to spy in a belly shirt.
'Cold war spy fiction in the grand tradition' an interview with Paul Vidich, author of The Mercenary (146)
March 26, 2021 15:21 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBFrom acclaimed spy novelist Paul Vidich comes a taut new thriller following the attempted exfiltration of a KGB officer from the ever-changing—and always dangerous—USSR in the mid-1980s. Shane Whaley finds out more in this interview with author Paul Vidich. In Episode 146 of Spybrary with spy author Paul Vidich we discuss: What was Paul Vidich's inspiration for writing The Mercenary. What kind of reader The Mercenary appeals to? (Actioneers v Realistic) What drew Paul to write an espio...
Moonraker - The James Bond Book Club with Simon Conway(145)
March 23, 2021 01:53 - 1 hour - 42.4 MBIt is 1955 and we review the latest Ian Fleming James Bond 007 novel, Moonraker With David Craggs, author Simon Conway and Spybrary Host Shane Whaley. Episode is also available on YouTube. Details at www.spybrary.com/145
Collecting Spy Books, with Jeff Quest, Matthew Bradford and Tim Shipman (143)
March 16, 2021 20:20 - 1 hour - 46.7 MBToday's episode of Spybrary is all about collecting spy books. This episode is also available on YouTube. We talk James Bond book trivia and see some of Tim’s amazing Fleming novels. There are some beautiful association copies of Adam Hall books, Matthew shares details on how to collect an elusive Clancy first edition and a signed copy of one of Jimmy Sangster’s spy novels with a great back story. All that plus tips and tricks from three folks who can’t stop collecting books.
Spy TV -The Sandbaggers - Season Three - Round Table (141)
March 13, 2021 02:16 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBOn today's Spybrary Spy Podcast, we turn our attention to Spy TV and the third and sadly final season of the British spy tv series The Sandbaggers starring Roy Marsden and created by Ian Mackintosh. Our panel are back to run the rule over The Sandbaggers Season 3.We are joined by Spybrary Podcast listeners, Hannah Cooper, Jeffrey Westhoff, and Paul Hodges of The Sandbaggers Facebook Group.
The Lost Adventures of James Bond with Mark Edlitz and Jack Lugo (140)
February 27, 2021 14:48 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MBToday we are joined by author Mark Edlitz the author of the Lost Adventures of James Bond: Timothy Dalton’s Third and Fourth Bond Films, James Bond Jr., and Other Unmade or Forgotten 007 Projects. He is expertly interviewed by James Bond Radio contributor Jack Lugo. Since this episode was recorded, Jack has launched his own 007 podcast - Bond and Banter. The James Bond universe is greater than you might think. Even if you have seen all the movies and devoured Ian Fleming's books, there is...
Mark Greaney reveals more about his latest Gray Man novel - Relentless
February 17, 2021 17:55 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBNew York Times Bestselling Author Mark Greaney joins us today to share more about his latest Gray Man novel 'Relentless.' Mark tells us that Spybrary listeners can read Relentless as the first foray into the Court Gentry series. Mark Greaney also shares more about the upcoming Gray Man movie, his writing process and his future writing plans. This interview is hosted by Spybrary listener and fan of the Gray Man series, Kashif Hussein.
Spy Rewind - Mission Impossible with Jeff Quest and Matthew Bradford (139)
February 12, 2021 16:08 - 1 hour - 38.3 MBSpy bloggers Matthew Bradford and Jeff Quest launch a new series called Spy Rewind where they look at classic spy tv episodes and series. Today they take a look at Mission Impossible. Websites and Resources mentioned on Spy Rewind. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE: THE MIND OF STEFAN MIKLOS Summary - https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=about&p=346&item=T:12497 Mission: Impossible Blu Rays - https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Impossible-Original-TV-Blu-ray/dp/B08GFSYGNV Barbara Bain - https...