Spybrary Spy Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

What happens when a former diplomat turns spy-thriller author? In this episode, Sam Guthrie, ex-Australian trade envoy and senior government official, sits down with award-winning journalist Tim Shipman to discuss The Peak — a gripping, character-driven espionage novel set across Hong Kong, Beijing and Canberra.

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👉 The story begins with a shocking act inside Australia's Parliament House — and unravels a 30-year-old secret from the 1997 Hong Kong handover. A love triangle, a mysterious mixtape, betrayal, and a looming global crisis all collide in this explosive debut.

Sam shares behind-the-scenes insights from his time as Deputy Consul General in Hong Kong, reflects on the growing tensions between China, Australia and the West, and explains why fiction must confront the geopolitical risks of the 21st century.

📌 Topics include:

• The real risks of espionage in Asia-Pacific
• Why politicians and business leaders told Sam that this topic is 'too raw' for him to write about.
• Why Australia is caught between China and the US
• Why Sam Guthrie is determined to shift the focus of espionage fiction from Europe to Asia
• Writing flawed characters with emotional depth
• Using mixtapes and music in spy fiction
  (Check out Sam Guthrie's Spotify playlist featuring tracks mentioned in The Peak.)
• Why more thrillers should focus on China and Australia.
• Why Sam Guthrie loves Spybrary!
• And Much More!

Learn more about the John le Carré Tradecraft exhibition in Oxford revealing John le Carré's meticulous research, unseen manuscripts, and the personal life behind the spy fiction. In Spybrary Ep. 275, we speak with the curators about what they uncovered and what it tells us about the master of espionage fiction.

In this episode of Spybrary , Shane Whaley hosts a conversation into Tradecraft, the new exhibition at Oxford's Bodleian Library focusing on John le Carré (David Cornwell). His guests are Professor Federico Varese and Dr Jessica Douthwaite, who co‑curated the exhibition. They explore how the exhibit reveals le Carré's working methods, personal life, and research habits. From manuscript drafts and scribbles on hotel stationery to his mother's abandoned suitcase, the conversation explores how le Carré meticulously researched his books, how he conceives characters like George Smiley, and what the curators hope visitors take away.

They also discuss key artifact highlights, the challenge of selecting what to display from over 1,200 archive boxes, and deeper questions: why did he write in fiction rather than non‑fiction, and what question would the curators ask le Carré if they could meet him? Spybrary host Shane Whaley also asked the curators which John le Carré novels they recommend for those new to his work as well as how they selected the nine le Carré books on which the John le Carré exhibition is based.

• The intersection of fiction, fact and research in le Carré's method
• Le Carré's meticulous research process (notes, drafts, corrections)
• The role of Jane Cornwell (his wife) as collaborator and editor
• The curatorial challenge of selecting from the vast John le Carré archives
• Personal artifacts as gateways into the life behind the author
• How le Carré anticipated geopolitical trends (pharma, corruption, security)
• The emotional impact the Tradecraft exhibition had on the author's family.
• The question of why he chose fiction rather than non-fiction as his medium
• And why did he David Cornwell choose the pen name John le Carré.

Shane also thanked the curators for making the Tradecraft exhibition accessible to both le Carré scholars and to those who may never have read any John le Carré novels.

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Fans of George Smiley, John le Carré's legendary spymaster, have reason to celebrate. In a rare double coup for the espionage world, Nick Harkaway—le Carré's son—has announced The Taper Man, a new Smiley novel arriving in 2026, while The Spy Who Came in From the Cold will receive its first-ever stage adaptation in the West End this autumn.

The announcement marks a major return of the "Circus," le Carré's iconic fictionalised British intelligence service, and the literary rebirth of one of spy fiction's most enduring characters.

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Set in 1965, The Taper Man picks up 18 months after the events of Harkaway's bestselling Karla's Choice and places George Smiley in unfamiliar terrain—America. The novel explores Smiley's pursuit of a communist network on the US West Coast, threading together geopolitical paranoia with moral ambiguity in classic le Carré fashion.

The story unfolds amid the tumultuous backdrop of the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War, with Smiley navigating tensions with the CIA ("the Cousins") while unravelling Soviet infiltrations that stretch back to the 1950s.

"It's time to meet our American Cousins," Harkaway says. "We're following the breadcrumbs of a messy debacle in Helsinki all the way to California, uncovering the truth of Karla's 1950s network and pursuing Roy Bland into the USSR."

Publishing director Harriet Bourton of Viking describes The Taper Man as "an extraordinary new addition to the iconic literary world of John le Carré," praising Harkaway's ability to honour the legacy while making it unmistakably his own.

Alongside the novel news, spy fans will see Smiley on stage for the first time this November, when The Spy Who Came in From the Cold—le Carré's 1963 classic—premieres at @sohoplace in London. Directed by Jeremy Herrin and adapted by acclaimed playwright David Eldridge, the production follows a successful run at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Rory Keenan stars as Alec Leamas, the embittered British agent at the heart of the novel, with Agnes O'Casey playing Liz Gold. George Smiley will be portrayed by John Ramm.

Clare Cornwell, director of the le Carré estate, says: "We are delighted to be celebrating the return of the Circus and George Smiley through these two new projects."

Nick Harkaway, the fourth son of David Cornwell (John le Carré), previously completed the posthumous publication of Silverview and edited A Private Spy, a collection of his father's letters. In Karla's Choice, he took the bold step of writing new fiction within the le Carré universe—an effort praised by critics and readers alike.

Watch our interview all about Karla's Choice with Nick Harkaway.

With The Taper Man, Harkaway deepens his claim to the Smiley legacy while expanding the geopolitical canvas of the saga.

For longtime fans of le Carré, and the next generation discovering his work through adaptations and new fiction, 2025 may just be the most thrilling year since Smiley first came in from the cold.

In 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 and more in this episode of Spybrary.

Mentioned on the show - 

Matthew's review of The Baron - https://doubleosection.blogspot.com/2011/11/dvd-review-baron-complete-series.html 

Jeff's Bad Baron Photo Covers - 

https://spywrite.com/2022/02/21/broken-covers-john-creasey-the-baron-edition/ 

Streaming on Britbox in the US.

Matthew's Website - https://doubleosection.blogspot.com/ 

Matthew's Twitter - https://twitter.com/DoubleOSection 

Jeff's Website - https://spywrite.com/ 

Jeff on Twitter - https://twitter.com/spywrite 

Welcome 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

In 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 on the show - 

Spooks/MI5 wiki page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spooks_(TV_series) 

Streaming on Britbox in the US or BBC iPlayer in the UK.

An oral history on Spooks - https://www.empireonline.com/spooks/part1.html 

The two Mr. Darcy's spy movie - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Mincemeat_(film) 

Matthew's Website - https://doubleosection.blogspot.com/ 

Matthew's Twitter - https://twitter.com/DoubleOSection 

Jeff's Website - https://spywrite.com/ 

Jeff on Twitter - https://twitter.com/spywrite 

If 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 version of THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER to go with you previous Clancy recordings. I was hoping you'd finish off the initial run of Clancy originals with new versions of THE CARDINAL OF THE KREMLIN and CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER. Why didn't they have you do those ones? Any chance you still will?
• You did an excellent job on so many original Robert Ludlum titles. Are there any more in your future? It would be great to hear you read the MATARESE novels, and they're overdue for new versions!
• You took over the Jack Reacher series from Dick Hill, who had a very distinctive delivery style. How conscious were you of following in someone else's footsteps? Did you do anything differently because of that?
• Are there any spy series or characters you HAVEN'T recorded that you'd really like a crack at?

Jason 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!)

In 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 gadgets and why you should probably avoid starting a cognac-based fire in your jail cell! All that and more in this episode of Spybrary.

Mentioned on the show - 

The episode via DailyMotion - https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x810alr 

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_from_U.N.C.L.E. 

Morgan Richter's U.N.C.L.E recaps - https://preppiesoftheapocalypse.blogspot.com/p/uncle.html 

Bob's U.N.C.L.E. Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/369560823208688/ 

Matthew's Website - https://doubleosection.blogspot.com/ 

Matthew's Twitter - https://twitter.com/DoubleOSection 

Jeff's Website - https://spywrite.com/ 

Jeff on Twitter - https://twitter.com/spywrite 

In 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?

Volcano lair vs underwater lair vs moonbase lair?

All that and more in this episode of Spybrary.

So settle in by the fire, pour yourself a drink of your favorite beverage and prepare to come to your own conclusions and share them with us as you listen! Tweet @spybrary with your opinion as we tackle these questions or hop on the discussion thread on the Spybrary Discussion group.

Mentioned on the show - 

What is Water Polo? - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_polo 

Blood in the Water match - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_in_the_Water_match 

Hannah's Twitter - https://twitter.com/MrsSimonTemplar 

Hannah's Website - https://backintimefortv.co.uk/

Jeremy's Twitter - https://twitter.com/JeremyDuns 

Jeremy's Website - https://www.jeremy-duns.com/ 

Shane's Twitter - https://twitter.com/spybrary 

Shane's Website - https://spybrary.com/ 

Jeff's Website - https://spywrite.com/ 

Jeff on Twitter - https://twitter.com/spywrite