Show Notes
We share the sad news that renowned spy novelist Len Deighton has passed away at 97. We pay tribute to his incredible work, discussing why he was considered the greatest spy novelist and his impact on cold war espionage. His contributions to the spy thriller genre remembered.
Len Deighton didn't just write spy novels… he changed the genre.
In this episode, we take a step back and reflect on the life, legacy, and impact of one of the true giants of espionage fiction. From The IPCRESS File through to the Bernard Samson/Berlin Game series, Deighton gave us something very different—spies who weren't superheroes, but real people. Flawed. Wry. Often stuck in offices, navigating bureaucracy as much as danger.
I'm joined by Rob Mallows of the Deighton Dossier, broadcaster and commentator Eliot Wilson, and Aspect of Crime's Paul Burke as we talk through what made Len Deighton so special, including:
Why his "everyman spy" felt like such a shift at the time How he stood apart from Fleming and le Carré His incredible sense of place—especially when it comes to Berlin The influence he's had on modern writers like Mick Herron And why, all these years later, his books still hold up
This isn't just a tribute episode. It's a proper Spybrary-style conversation about why Len Deighton matters and why he still should matter to readers today.
If you've never read him, this is a great place to start. And if you have… well, you'll know exactly why we're doing this one.
🎧 Tune in and raise a glass to one of the greats.
👇 And let us know in the comments or in our community— What's your favourite Len Deighton book? Join 5,000+ spy thriller fans in our online community and share your thoughts on Len Deighton: https://spybrary.com/join-our-community/
More from Spybrary Spy Podcast
Sara Paretsky, legendary creator of V.I. Warshawski, joins me on the Spybrary Spy Podcast to talk about Bad Company — her new spy thriller featuring retired CIA officer Lily, a woman who discovers that you never really leave the Company. We talk about Sara's leap from detective fiction into espionage, creating the fictional Central Asian country of Hayalistan, women inside the CIA, and why an older female intelligence officer offers such a different take on the traditional spy hero. Sara also reveals why she needed eight drafts to find Bad Company, the dog-sled exfiltration scene that survived every rewrite, and how questions of power, anger and voicelessness drive her fiction. And, naturally, we talk spy books: John le Carré, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Mrs Pollifax, Manning Coles and the wonderful Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson espionage caper Hopscotch. A fascinating conversation with one of crime fiction's most influential writers about what happens when she enters the world of spies.
Paul Burke joins Spybrary hosts Shane Whaley and Michael Huie to discuss his new book, Spies on Screen, an ambitious guide to more than 900 spy films and television series. From James Bond and John le Carré to Slow Horses, The Bureau, The Americans and forgotten spy thrillers, Paul explores how espionage on screen has evolved from glamorous secret agents to damaged, morally complex intelligence officers. Along the way, the trio debate which Bond actor is closest to Ian Fleming's original creation, why The Spy Who Came in from the Cold remains one of the great adaptations, what makes The Day of the Jackal such an enduring classic, and which overlooked spy films and TV series deserve to be rediscovered. Paul also explains why many of the best spy stories are really anti-spy stories, how streaming has transformed the genre, and why international espionage dramas are becoming more important than ever. Plus, stay to the end for the Spybrary quick-fire round, where Paul reveals his picks for best Bond, best spy film, best spy TV series, most underrated espionage movie and more. If you love spy films, spy TV shows and discovering hidden gems, this episode is for you. In this episode: The evolution of spy films and TV James Bond, Timothy Dalton and Ian Fleming The Spy Who Came in from the Cold The Day of the Jackal Slow Horses The Bureau The Americans Forgotten Cold War spy films Underrated espionage TV The future of spy stories on screen Spies on Screen by Paul Burke is out now. Visit Spybrary for more spy books, films, TV, interviews and intelligence history.
What makes a great spy novel? For William Boyd, it is complexity, uncertainty and that irresistible feeling that, as a reader, you are constantly trying to work out who can be trusted.
What if the CIA and MI6 stopped behaving like allies—and started spying on each other? David McCloskey joins Tim Shipman to discuss London Station, his fifth spy novel, and the real intelligence relationship behind its central premise. McCloskey explains why the CIA–SIS "Special Relationship" can sometimes resemble a dysfunctional marriage, what the CIA Chief of Station in London actually does, and how conversations with former American and British intelligence officers shaped the book. He also introduces the wonderfully British intelligence concept of "deep chat"—those unofficial conversations where trusted allies may share rather more than appears in the official cables. There's plenty for Artemis Procter fans too. David discusses her move to London, why she is spectacularly ill-suited to the diplomatic side of the job, and the changes the character is going through. And then comes one of the episode's best stories: McCloskey reveals what happened when he unexpectedly came face-to-face at CIA headquarters with the former colleague he had in mind when he first created Artemis. Plus: Bobby Jerome, CIA vs MI6 tensions, how McCloskey researched Vauxhall Cross, his direct sequel to Damascus Station, the Artemis TV series, Moscow X on film, and what's coming next. A must-listen for David McCloskey readers, Artemis Procter devotees, and anyone fascinated by the real world behind modern spy fiction.
A propulsive, high-stakes thriller—Robert McCaw delivers a gripping tale of espionage, betrayal, and deception amid the race to expose Russian moles at the highest levels of the US government. Tense, timely, and full of international intrigue, Traitors will keep you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommended. David McCloskey, former CIA analyst and author of The Persian