Goodbye To An Old Friend - Brian Freemantle

Join Spybrary Spy Book Podcast host Shane Whaley, author Paul Vidich and Spybrarian David Craggs as we unpack Paul Vidich's latest spy thriller 'Beirut Station: Two Lives of a Spy.' Beirut Station is a novel pulsating with emotional depth and geopolitical intrigue.

 

Set amidst the 2006 Hezbollah-Israeli conflict in Beirut, Lebanon, the story follows the precarious journey of a Lebanese-American protagonist entangled with the UN, CIA, and Mossad in a mission to eliminate a terrorist threat. Special guest Paul Vidich returns for a third appearance on Spybrary , offering listeners a rare glimpse into his creative process and the inspiration drawn from historical events and legendary spies like Kim Philby. 

This episode brims with lively discussions on Vidich's adept portrayal of Annalise a robust female spy lead character who navigates the moral complexities of her clandestine world.

We discuss the seamless blending of fact and fiction and Paul Vidich's layered approach to character development. Beirut Station reminding us once again that heroes and villains in spy novels, much like in real life, occupy grey areas of morality.

Join us for this enthralling conversation and then connect with your fellow espionage aficionados in our online community to share your thoughts on Paul Vidich's Beirut Station.

So what is Beirut Station By Paul Vidich all about, Shane?

A stunning new espionage novel by a master of the genre, Beirut Station follows a young female CIA officer whose mission to assassinate a high-level, Hezbollah terrorist reveals a dark truth that puts her life at risk.

Lebanon, 2006.

The Israel-Hezbollah war is tearing Beirut apart: bombs are raining down, residents are scrambling to evacuate, and the country is on the brink of chaos.

In the midst of this turmoil, the CIA and Mossad are targeting a reclusive Hezbollah terrorist, Najib Qassem. Najib is believed to be planning the assassination of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is coming to Beirut in ten days to broker a cease-fire. The spy agencies are running out of time to eliminate the threat.

They turn to a young Lebanese-American CIA agent. Analise comes up with the perfect plan: she has befriended Qassem's grandson as his English tutor, and will use this friendship to locate the terrorist and take him out. As the plan is put into action, though, Analise begins to suspect that Mossad has a motive of its own: exploiting the war’s chaos to eliminate a generation of Lebanese political leaders.

She alerts the agency but their response is for her to drop it. Analise is now the target and there is no one she can trust: not the CIA, not Mossad, and not the Lebanese government. And the one person she might have to trust—a reporter for the New York Times—might not be who he says he is…

A tightly-wound international thriller, Beirut Station is Paul Vidich's best novel to date.

Today, we are thrilled to present a very special 90-minute episode titled "Ian Fleming: The Complete Man" with the esteemed novelist and Iatest Ian Fleming biographer Nicholas Shakespeare.

For this interview, Spybrary host and founder Shane Whaley recruited James Bond and Ian Fleming scholars Ajay Chowdhury and Jeremy Duns, to dive deep into the life and works of the legendary creator of James Bond, Mr. Ian Fleming with biographer Nicholas Shakespeare.

With unrivaled access to the Fleming family, archives, and a trove of new material, Shakespeare presents a new, nuanced portrait of Ian Fleming's life. So place your devices on do not disturb and enjoy this in depth interview with Ian Fleming biographer Nicholas Shakespeare.

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Special guest Mark Edlitz, author of "James Bond After Fleming," joins James Bond aficionados Bill Kanas, Brian McKaig, and guest host Matt Raubenheimer on the Spybrary Spy Podcast to dissect the evolution of 007 in print. Together, they unravel the challenges, strategies, and approaches of various continuation 007 authors in the ever-thrilling James Bond literary saga.

🎧 Listen now to uncover fascinating insights into the world Ian Fleming created and how it has been skillfully perpetuated through the pens of talented continuation authors!

Today, we are talking all about the world of James Bond after Fleming on Episode 229 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast "The Continuation 007 Novels." Join us as we decode the world of Bond novels post-Ian Fleming with an elite panel of James Bond Continuation 007 novels fans: Matt Raubenheimer in the hosts chair, Mark Edlitz author of James Bond After Fleming, Brian McKaig, and Bill Kanas.

Today, we'll explore the varying directives given to continuation authors, the challenge of maintaining a consistent Bond universe, and the particular styles of authors like Kinglsey Amis, John Gardner, Raymond Benson, Anthony Horowitz.

Dive into the complexity and charm of the Gardner era with Brian McKaig's insights, learn why Bill Kanas cherishes these stories, and follow Matt Raubenheimer's unique path through the Bond series. Mark Edlitz brings his guide to Bond literature, offering starting points for new and veteran readers alike.

The mission begins now.

Meet Your Spybrary James Bond After Fleming Panelists

Guest Host - Matt Raubenheimer
Mark Edlitz - author of James Bond After Fleming
Bill Kanas
Brian McKaig
Producer: Shane Whaley

The video version of James Bond After Fleming is coming soon!

In this episode you will also learn:

• Bill Kanas’s suggested order of John Gardner to Raymond Benson novels and contextual novelization reading
• Brian McKaig's preference for starting with "Colonel Sun" followed by Gardner’s and then Benson’s works
• Addressing cherry pickers’ potential entry points into the Bond novel series

James Bond 007 Continuation Novel Discussion Questions

Spybrary is more than a podcast. Did you know we host a community of almost 4000 spy book fans? Join the Spybrary Community and dive into some of these conversations:

Welcome to the first episode of Section F - our Spy Movie track on the Spybrary Spy Podcast. Our handpicked hosts and guests discuss their favorite spy movies both the classics and the hidden gems of spy films. Today Section F delve into the classic film 'The Third Man,' discussing its plot, rewatchability, and notable moments. The music and cinematography of the film are also explored.

Meet Your Section F - Spy Film Hosts.

Jonathan Melville
Michael Huie
Eric Newsom
Steve Lichtman
Producer: Shane Whaley

The question of whether 'The Third Man' can be considered a spy movie is debated, with the moral ambiguity and themes of betrayal being highlighted. The influence of real-life spy Kim Philby on the story is examined, and the charm and complexity of the character Harry Lime are discussed. The iconic Ferris wheel scene and its cinematography are analyzed.

The episode concludes with the hosts sharing their pitches for why someone should watch 'The Third Man.' In this episode, the hosts discuss Carroll Reed's trilogy of films, including Odd Man Out, The Fallen Idol, and The Third Man. They highlight the unique elements of The Third Man, such as the untranslated German dialogue and the suspenseful scene with the child pointing at the murderer.

The hosts also recommend other films for fans of The Third Man, such as The Spy in Black, Berlin Express, and Cornered. They mention books like The Prague Coup and Night Falls on the City that provide further immersion into the post-war Vienna setting. Lastly, they suggest a double feature of Casablanca and The Third Man as bookends to the themes discussed.

What do you think about the Third Man? Come and share your take in our Spybrary Community!

In this episode of the Spybrary spy book podcast we talk about our best spy books. Host Shane Whaley invites guest Jeff Circle, author, veteran, avid spy novel reader and the head honcho behind The Writers Dossier to embark on a clandestine mission behind the Iron Curtain. As part of the Dead Drop 5 series, Jeff Circle shares his top five best spy thriller books that he would take with him to East Berlin. From classic spy thrillers to lesser-known gems, Mark's's picks promise to keep any thriller enthusiast on the edge of their seat.

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In this episode of the Spybrary spy book podcast we talk about our best spy books. Host Shane Whaley invites guest Dr Mark Pack, author, avid spy novel reader and President of the UK's Liberal Democrats to embark on a clandestine mission behind the Iron Curtain. As part of the Dead Drop 5 series, Mark Pack shares his top five best spy books that he would take with him to East Berlin. From classic spy thrillers to lesser-known gems, Mark's's picks promise to keep any spy thriller enthusiast on the edge of their seat.

Join your fellow spy book enthusiasts at Spybrary Online

Download our ranking of the top 125 spy authors today!

Host Adam Brookes is joined by Stuart Reid, executive editor at Foreign Affairs and author of The Lumumba Plot: The Secret History of the CIA and a Cold War Assassination. They delve into the fascinating and shocking story of Patrice Lumumba, the Congo crisis of 1960, and the CIA's role in Lumumba's assassination.

• The Lumumba Plot by Stuart Reid
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• Stuart A Reid Official Website
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• Adam Brookes Official Site
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• Join the Spybrary Community
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• Grab your free top spy writers ranked dossier

In this episode of the Spybrary spy book podcast we talk about our best spy books, host Shane Whaley invites guest Martin Paul to embark on a clandestine mission behind the Iron Curtain. As part of the Dead Drop 5 series, Martin shares his top five best spy books that he would take with him to East Berlin. From classic spy thrillers to lesser-known gems, Martin's picks promise to keep any spy thriller enthusiast on the edge of their seat.

David Clark interviews former MI6 officer and debut author Charles Beaumont, whose novel A Spy Alone has just been published in the UK. (Available on Kindle elsewhere.)

A QUICK HEADS UP. A Spybrary first, due to Charles Beaumont's work for the Intelligence Services, our technical division has digitally altered his voice to protect his identity.

Spybrary's David Clark and Charles Beaumont discuss the themes of the book, including Russian interference in the UK's political affairs, the complexities of modern espionage, and the influence of spy fiction on real-world intelligence operations. Charles shares his literary influences, the portrayal of characters in his book, and the challenges of writing spy fiction in the post-Cold War era.

Charles also reveals which spy movies and spy TV series he rates best!

Tim Shipman, the chief political commentator at the Sunday Times, conducts a captivating interview with author David McCloskey on the Spybrary podcast. McCloskey's debut novel, Damascus Station, garnered much excitement among spy thriller readers. Shipman explores how his second book, "Moscow X," measures up. The interview delves into the complexities of modern espionage, as well as themes of betrayal, love, loyalty, and vengeance in the shadow war between the West and Moscow.

So what is Moscow X all about, Shane?

Discover the thrilling world of espionage in Moscow X the gripping second novel by David McCloskey. Set in present-day Russia, this fast-paced spy thriller follows the CIA's Artemis Proctor as she masterminds a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Russian intelligence. With a plot centered around a covert operation to destabilize Putin's regime, Moscow X delves into the complex world of money, power, and betrayal. Prepare for a heart-pounding yet realistic adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat or as in my case, late for work, yes it is that good!

Moscow X

‘Thrilling, propulsive and terrifying’ Simon Sebag Montefiore

The second novel from the author of Damascus Station (‘One of the best spy thrillers in years’ The Times)

A daring CIA operation threatens chaos in the Kremlin.
But can Langley trust the Russian at its center?

CIA operatives Sia and Max enter Russia to recruit Vladimir Putin’s moneyman. Sia works for a London firm that conceals the wealth of the super-rich. Max’s family business in Mexico – a CIA front since the 1960s – is a farm that breeds high-end racehorses. They pose as a couple, and their targets are Vadim, Putin’s private banker, and his wife Anna, who is both a banker and an intelligence officer herself…

Praise for Damascus Station:

‘Simply marvellous storytelling…a stand-out thriller and essential reading for fans of the genre’ – Financial Times

‘The best spy novel I have ever read’ – General David Petraeus, former director of the CIA