The Russia House by John le Carré Explored – Part 1

This episode I talk with writer Paul French about all things Ricki Tarr. We explore how Tarr’s backstory reflects the declining British Empire as much as the Cold War, how his past explains his the character we see in the novel and unwrap Tarr’s past as a ruthless killer. Plus, Japanese prisoner of war camps, […]

This episode we close out our look at Eric Ambler with a special bonus – my conversation with legendary bookstore owner and editor Otto Penzler. We discuss his time meeting Eric Ambler and his attempt to get Ambler to sign his Ambler collection All that and much more in this episode! Jeremy’s twitter – @JeremyDuns Jeremy’s […]

This episode we continue to look at an author worth reading after you’ve finished looking at all of the works of le Carré – Eric Ambler. We discuss Ambler’s post WW2 work, his obsession with coups, and his somewhat unreliable autobiography. Plus, that terrible cover art! All that and much more in this episode! Passage […]

This episode we look at another author to explore once you’ve finished looking at all of the works of le Carré. This time it is the granddaddy of thrillers, Eric Amber. We discuss how Ambler’s political worldview influenced his writing, themes in common with le Carré, and Plus we explore his early reading influences and […]

This episode we are back from a summer break with part two of our discussion of John le Carré’s 1979 novel Smiley’s People with returning guest Charles Beaumont, a former undercover MI6 operative and author of A Spy Alone and A Spy at War. We debate Connie Sachs repetitive return, talk Smiley and sex-clubs and […]