Spybrary Spy Podcast

On this riveting episode of the Spybrary Spy podcast, British political journalist Tim Shipman is once again in conversation with David McCloskey, a former CIA analyst turned novelist, discussing his fourth and most ambitious book yet, The Persian.

Departing from his CIA-rooted earlier work, McCloskey dives into the morally murky waters of the Israeli-Iranian shadow war. The novel, a high-stakes standalone thriller, follows a Mossad operation and an Iranian-born dentist-turned-reluctant-spy. They discuss the challenges of writing beyond American intelligence, the process of accessing former Mossad officers for research, the rich culture and contradictions of Iran, and the psychological complexity of agent-handler relationships. The episode also teases McCloskey's next book, the return of Artemis Proctor, and exciting developments for screen adaptations.

So what is The Persian by David McCloskey all about, Shane?

Kamran Esfahani, a dentist living out a dreary existence in Stockholm, agrees to spy for the Mossad after he's recruited by Arik Glitzman, the chief of a clandestine unit tasked with running targeted assassinations and sabotage inside Iran. At Glitzman's direction, Kam returns to his native Tehran and opens a dental practice there, using it as a cover for the Israeli intelligence agency. Kam proves to be a skillful asset, quietly earning money helping Glitzman smuggle weapons, run surveillance, and conduct kidnappings. But when Kam tries to recruit an Iranian widow seeking to avenge the death of her husband at the hands of the Mossad, the operation goes terribly wrong, landing him in prison under the watchful eye of a sadistic officer whom he knows only as the "General."

And now, after enduring three years of torture in captivity, Kamran Esfahani sits in an interrogation room across from the General, preparing to write his final confession.

Kam knows it is too late to save himself. But he has managed to keep one secret—only one—and he just might be able to save that. In this haunting thriller, careening between Tehran and Tel Aviv, Istanbul and Stockholm, David McCloskey delivers an intricate story of vengeance, deceit, and the power of love and forgiveness in a world of lies.

 

Praise for The Persian:

[The Persian] builds to high drama and twists with characters you care about.… Deep and satisfying... keeps the McCloskey traits of great tradecraft and headlong dash to the end. It proves he is a great spy writer.
Tim Shipman, Spybrary and The Specator
It is no spoiler to say that what David McCloskey has given us in The Persian is a tragedy—a work of spy fiction that, stripped of its technological trappings, would not have been out of place on the Athenian stage.
Stephen England, Author
The Persian is a novel written by someone who understands not just how espionage works, but how it feels, the waiting, the second-guessing, and the quiet moments where people realise what they've traded away to stay in the game. I applaud David for writing a standalone novel rather than the familiar waters of his Artemis Proctor series.
Shane Whaley
Editor-In-Chief, Spybrary.com

Guest host Jim Wilton sits down with former U.S. military intelligence professional and author Karl Wegener to discuss his Cold War–era historical spy thriller Operation Nightfall: Web of Spies.

Wegener shares his personal background in U.S. Army intelligence and the CIA, how he transitioned into writing, and why he chose lesser‑known Cold War stories—especially those involving Polish resistance movements—for his novel.

The conversation highlights the book's unique setting in post‑World War II Poland, the inclusion of strong female lead characters inspired by real women in intelligence history, and Wegener's ongoing research and future novels exploring other overlooked Cold War events.

Throughout the episode, listeners gain insights into both the historical foundations of his fiction and the personal experiences that shaped his interests.

Packed with historical details, spy tradecraft, and brimming with intrigue, Wegener's story will leave you gutted, affected, heartbroken, and, most of all, wanting more
I.S. Berry - Author, The Peacock and the Sparrow, A New Yorker & NPR Best Book of the Year, Winner - Edgar Award for Best First Novel

What if someone else could use your identity as a spy? In this episode of Spybrary, guest host Bryan Boling sits down with author David Goodman to talk about his debut novel, A Reluctant Spy

'Goodman's first book was a very polished high concept spy thriller, which delivered on its premise.'
Tim Shipman

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David Goodman shares his writing background, how his ideas evolved into a published book, and the inspiration behind the story's unique take on espionage. They dive into the novel's central plot, a man who lends his identity to spies, and explore themes such as modern technology's impact on spycraft, character development, research processes, writing choices, and the role of real locations like London and Zanzibar in the narrative.

Goodman also reflects on early critical praise, surprising support from intelligence community members, awards, and how he's approaching the sequel, Solitary Agents

Full Shownotes at www.spybrary.com/goodman

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In the first Dead Drop Five episode of 2026, Spybrary host Shane Whaley welcomes new Spybrary guest host Bryan Boling for a deep dive into his five favourite spy books, the titles that Brian would request be stashed in the East Berlin Dead Drop.

Full links to Brian's selection at https://www.spybrary.com/285
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Brian, a history lover and spy book fan from Kentucky, categorizes his selections across nonfiction, classic and modern fiction, and reflects on what makes each pick significant—from the ingenious real operation at the heart of Operation Mincemeat to the classic The Odessa File and contemporary espionage series Slow Horses. Throughout the lively conversation, Shane and Brian explore not just plot summaries but why these books resonate, how historical context enriches them, and what makes a spy story timeless. The episode closes with Brian's picks for music, a luxury item, and the spy he'd want extracting him from East Berlin.

Key Topics & Themes Discussed

Music, luxury item, and fictional rescue fantasy

Dead Drop Five format and ethos

Creative real‑world espionage (Operation Mincemeat)

The lasting appeal of Cold War and World War II spy stories

Spy fiction from classic to modern

Narrative style: writing that reads like thriller vs. traditional history

Historical memory and the aftermath of war

Reading mediums (audiobook vs. print) and engagement

Spy culture, community, and recommendations

Strap in—this is going to be a Spybrary episode to remember.

The Dead Drop 5 is back! In this much-requested Spybrary feature, our guest is embedded behind the Iron Curtain and can request five spy books, a gadget, luxury items and more from their handler.

In this episode, we decode On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) — the boldest, most emotionally resonant Bond film of all. Joined by Bond aficionados Ian Douglas (Hildebrand), Andy Onyx (author), and Professor Michael Huie (Friday Night Frights Podcast), we dive into George Lazenby's one-time portrayal of James Bond, Peter Hunt's risky direction, Diana Rigg's unforgettable performance, and why this film has grown from outcast to cult favourite.

Full show notes and links 

Recorded on December 21, 2025, just in time for Christmas, Spybrary's Section F explore what makes this film unique within the Bond canon: from George Lazenby's lone turn as 007 and Peter Hunt's bold directorial choices, to the film's emotional depth, narrative risks, and iconic action sequences. Highlights include personal viewing memories, analyses of key scenes (such as the skiing and the tragic final ending), and debates about why this Bond film stands apart from its peers.


00:00 Introduction & Guest Intros 02:25 First Memories of OHSOS 06:19 Evolving Views on the Film 10:25 What Makes Peter Hunt's Approach Unique 14:50 Opening Credits & Gun Barrel Sequence 19:34 Bond's Office & Franchise Nods 22:14 What Sets This Bond Apart 25:23 Vulnerability & Romance in Bond 28:35 Gadgets, or the Lack Thereof 31:05 Tracy's Role in the Action 34:13 Music & Christmas Themes 39:42 George Lazenby: Acting & Persona 46:05 Supporting Characters & Accents 54:40 Cinematography & Skiing Sequences 55:26 Influence on Modern Films 58:10 Holiday Tone & Festive Elements 1:08:20 Standout Movie Moments 1:13:56 Trench Coat Ratings & Final Thoughts 1:18:32 Episode Close & Christmas Wishes