Spybrary Spy Podcast

Tim Shipman sits down with thriller author James Wolff who worked as a British intelligence officer for over ten years. They unpack his latest spy novel Spies and Other Gods.

Wolff shares how a single line in a UK parliamentary oversight report (the Intelligence and Security Committee) sparked the novel's core idea. An anonymous whistleblower sends British Intelligence into a frenzy, threatening to reveal secrets that could bring the establishment to its knees.



Wolff also reveals why it took government censors 16 months to approve his book—and shares some of the truly absurd references they insisted he remove. He then turns the tables on Shipman, asking whether he uses spy-like tradecraft in his own work as a political journalist who relies on sources, assets and insiders to uncover stories.

If you love le Carré-style moral tension, Slough House office politics, and spy fiction that feels real, Spies and Other Gods is for you.

 

 

So what is Spies And Other Gods by James Wolff all about, Shane?

In this cat-and-mouse spy thriller, an anonymous whistleblower sends British Intelligence into a frenzy, threatening to reveal secrets that could bring the establishment to its knees.

The Head of British Intelligence is having a bad day. Only six months off retirement and Sir William Rentoul is wondering if he'll make it that far, what with the sudden descent of a brain fog dense enough to turn every day into a series of small humiliations.

To make matters worse, when parliamentary researcher Aphra McQueen is brought in to investigate an internal complaint, she discovers something horrifying: the murder of nine Iranian dissidents. The elusive assassin, nicknamed CASPIAN, kills across borders, forcing intelligence services throughout Europe into an alliance. Their only lead? An unsuspecting dentist in the UK.

Aphra McQueen seems to know more about the operation than she is letting on. What will she uncover? What is she really up to? And can she survive the unexpected events that will bounce her from London to Birmingham to Paris to Lausanne?

In the exhilarating chase that follows, Spies and Other Gods offers a vibrant, fresh and darkly funny take on the spy thriller that lays bare the human cost of secrecy.

Spybrary's James Bond Book Club jumps back to 1966 to discuss Ian Fleming's final book of 007 short stories—Octopussy and The Living Daylights.

The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion: spy fiction is exploding, and Fleming's legacy may be less about continuation novels and more about how he opened the floodgates for Len Deighton, John le Carré, Modesty Blaise, Quiller, and the entire "spy mania" era—on page and screen.

In this thriller author interview, Spywrite's Jeff Quest sits down with Ace Atkins to dive deep into his nostalgic Cold War spy novel Everybody Wants to Rule the World — a thrilling, 80s-set espionage adventure that blends suburban coming-of-age storytelling with high-stakes KGB intrigue.

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Atkins shares how discovering Ian Fleming as a teenager transformed him into a lifelong spy fiction obsessive, eventually shaping his career as a bestselling author. The conversation explores the real-life espionage inspirations behind the novel, including infamous traitors Aldrich Ames, as well as the bizarre and often comedic true story of Soviet defector Vitaly Yurchenko.

From suburban Atlanta in the mid-1980s to the paranoia of Reagan's Star Wars era, this episode captures the zeitgeist of a time when espionage dominated headlines — and imaginations.

If you love Cold War spy fiction, 80s nostalgia, and tradecraft stranger than fiction, this episode is for you.

Bryan Boling sits down for a spoiler-free chat with novelist Michael Idov, diving into The Cormorant Hunt, the standalone sequel to his acclaimed spy thriller The Collaborators.

Idov discusses the challenge of writing a compelling antagonist in Felix Burnham—a fusion of Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate who pushes protagonist Ari Falk to his limits.

They explore how real-world extremism, post-COVID paranoia, and disinformation influence modern spy fiction, and why setting stories in overlooked global locales adds authenticity.

From the Reichsbürger to action-packed drone chases in Georgia (the country), Idov breaks down how topical fiction is crafted under the ticking clock of world events. Michael also shared some news about an upcoming spy thriller film he is directing with Noomi Rapace in the lead.

Good news for the Brits, The Cormorant Hunt is scheduled to be released in the UK in May.

In this gripping episode of the Spybrary Podcast, Adam Brookes sits down with journalist and author Toby Harnden to explore the legacy of his landmark book Bandit Country: The IRA and South Armagh.


They dive into the hidden war fought in the rural heartlands of Northern Ireland during the Troubles, spotlighting the extraordinary reach of IRA intelligence and the massive British surveillance effort in response.

Toby shares the story behind the book's unexpected reissue 25 years after its release, the shadowy figure of Tom "Slab" Murphy, and the dangerous tightrope journalists walked reporting from IRA strongholds.

The conversation then pivots to the CIA, highlighting Harnden's acclaimed book First Casualty and his upcoming work on the Distinguished Intelligence Cross, the CIA's highest honor.

Interview with Toby Harden author of Bandit Country
Key Topics & Themes:

Moral complexity of insurgency and counterinsurgency
The reissue and enduring relevance of Bandit Country
IRA intelligence structure and infiltration
British military and surveillance operations in Northern Ireland
The life and mythos of Tom "Slab" Murphy
Journalistic risks during the Troubles
CIA's post-9/11 mission in Afghanistan
Distinguished Intelligence Cross and CIA recognition

Timestamps & Segments:

00:00 — Intro & Guest Welcome
Adam Brookes introduces Toby Harnden and his career journey from Royal Navy officer to war correspondent.

01:38 — The Revival of Bandit Country
Why and how Toby's 1999 book returned to print 25 years later.

05:03 — Entering South Armagh: IRA Heartland
A firsthand look at the rural guerrilla battlefield and IRA sniper teams.

08:34 — The Intelligence War
How the IRA built an intelligence network using locals and public workers.

12:26 — The British Response
Massive surveillance, SAS deployments, and the high-tech watchtowers.

15:56 — Reporting in Hostile Territory
Toby recounts the dangers of reporting from Crossmaglen and Republican events.

20:15 — The Enigma of Tom "Slab" Murphy
The pig farmer turned IRA chief of staff — smuggler, strategist, and shadow man.

24:24 — International Ties: Libya, PLO & FARC
How the IRA networked globally and Murphy's role in Libyan arms deals.

28:00 — Motivation & Identity
What really drove South Armagh fighters like Murphy—ideology, identity, or revenge?

30:59 — A History of Resistance
The inherited culture of rebellion in South Armagh, going back a century.

33:16 — How Many Were Fighting?
A few dozen active fighters in South Armagh vs. the full force of the British state.

38:29 — Lessons for Intelligence Agencies
The CIA, MI5 & MI6—what they learned (or didn't) from the Troubles.

42:12 — Inside the CIA: First Casualty
Toby's work on CIA's response to 9/11 and the birth of his next book project.

44:36 — The 39: CIA's Silent Heroes
The untold stories behind the Distinguished Intelligence Cross.

48:02 — Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Work
Why the CIA's frontline operatives are some of the most remarkable unsung heroes.

51:22 — Closing Thoughts & What's Next
Final reflections and teasers for Toby's upcoming book, The 39.

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Buy Bandit Country
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