Simon Mayo's Books of the Year – Details, episodes & analysis

Former journalist turned author, Chris Brookmyre, joins Simon and Matt for a spot of Q&A. They ask him about the last book he really really enjoyed, whether there's a book or plot her wished he'd written, and who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 MIRROR You 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

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

Simon and Matt chat to debut author Jo Browning Wroe about the books and authors she loves...including John Irving, Joanna Glen, Susanna Clarke and Maggie O'Farrell. Plus tips on how to squeeze extra reading time in to your day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon and Matt chat to debut author Jo Browning Wroe. Her book, although beginning with a terrible real life tragedy, is an inspiring, uplifting read. Among other things, they chat about the embalming process, choral music and the cost of using famous lyrics in print. Tonight nineteen-year-old William Lavery is dressed for success, his first black-tie do. It's the Midlands Chapter of the Institute of Embalmers Ladies' Night Dinner Dance, and William is taking Gloria in her sequinned evening gown. He can barely believe his luck. But as the guests sip their drinks and smoke their post-dinner cigarettes a telegram delivers news of a tragedy. An event so terrible it will shake the nation. It is October 1966 and a landslide at a coal mine has buried a school: Aberfan. William decides he must act, so he stands and volunteers to attend. It will be his first job, and will be - although he's yet to know it - a choice that threatens to sacrifice his own happiness. His work that night will force him to think about the little boy he was, and the losses he has worked so hard to bury. But compassion can have surprising consequences, because - as William discovers - giving so much to others can sometimes help us heal ourselves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ed recommends a variety of books including those by Hugh Ruttledge, Sam Knight, JB Priestley, Kingsley Amis and Cheeta! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ed tells the amazing story of Maurice Wilson, who planned to be the first person to scale Everest. His plan was to crash a plane in to it! What could possibly go wrong? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The multi million best selling author talks us through some of his favourite books and authors which include Joseph Knox, CS Lewis, Peter Caren and John Irving Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Boyne returns to the pod for his hat-trick appearance. He has written 13 novels for for adults, 6 novels for younger readers, and a short story collection, including The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas which was a New York Times no.1 Bestseller and was adapted for a feature film, a play, a ballet and an opera, selling around 11 million copies worldwide. As of 2021, it has spent 15 years in the New York Times Top 10 Bestsellers Chart. His latest novel The Echo Chamber looks at the effects of social media. "To err is maybe to be human but to really foul things up you only need a phone." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the world's great crime writers takes our Q&A about his favourite books and authors...which include Ian Rankin, PD James and Agatha Christie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices