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PODCAST

SpyMasters

Writer and journalist Antonia Senior interviews all the best writers on espionage. Each episode will bring you fascinating stories on spies, covert action and more - delving in to fact and fiction, past and present.

history books

All Episodes

68:24

Spymasters and Aspects of Crime Books of the Year 2025!

SpyMasters ·

2025/12/11

This special crossover episode brings together espionage and crime fans for a fast-paced round-table on our Books of the Year 2025.Antonia Senior (Spymasters) is joined by: Paul Burke – host of Aspects of Crime Mark Ellis – bestselling author of the Frank Merlin series Thomas Waugh – author of Endgame Together we unpack the best in spy fiction, crime writing, historical thrillers and intelligence non-fiction—from World War II espionage and Cold War intrigue to the new era of

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39:17

China, Espionage and the Price of Compromise: The...

SpyMasters ·

2025/11/27

Former diplomat and political insider Sam Guthrie joins Antonia Senior to talk about Chinese espionage, industrial spying and his debut Hong Kong–set thriller, The Peak. Blending politics, business and spycraft, the novel follows an unreliable narrator, a dangerous love triangle and a single act of compromise that changes everything.Sam and Antonia dig into how modern China, ASIO-style counterintelligence, and the clash between national security and trade shaped the book. They explore honey traps,

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30:41

Spy fiction: hidden classics and old favourites with...

SpyMasters ·

2025/11/13

In this lively literary conversation, Antonia Senior and Paul Burke explore the fascinating world of spy and crime fiction — from the golden age of classic espionage novels to the digital dilemmas of modern spy thrillers. As Paul launches Aspects of Crime, a new magazine, and a platform for authors and readers, they discuss how technology reshapes the genre, why characters like Charlie Muffin and Frederick Forsythe still resonate, and how emerging writers are redefining the moral and political edges

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64:55

Spying on the Revolution: Gunnar Ekberg,...

SpyMasters ·

2025/10/30

In this episode, Antonia Senior speaks with journalist and author Jason Burke about The Revolutionists, and the extraordinary true story of Gunnar Ekberg — the Swedish spy who infiltrated radical left-wing movements in Europe during the late 1960s and early 1970s.Ekberg witnessed first-hand a moment of enormous ideological energy: when secular, nationalist and progressive revolutionary groups believed they were the vanguard of global change. Embedded inside these movements, he saw their

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34:00

Behind German Lines: The White Lady, with Dr Helen Fry

SpyMasters ·

2025/10/16

In this episode of Spymasters, Antonia Senior speaks with bestselling historian Dr. Helen Fry about her riveting new book, The White Lady.Set in German-occupied Belgium during World War I and World War II, Fry’s book uncovers the incredible true story of a secret spy network that risked everything to gather intelligence behind enemy lines. Together, Fry and Senior explore: How ordinary women became extraordinary spies The ingenious knitting codes and covert communication systems they

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33:05

Spies, fiction, and the legacy of October 7. The...

SpyMasters ·

2025/10/02

Join host Antonia Senior as she delves into the gripping world of espionage with author Merle Nygate. In this episode, they explore the challenges of writing a spy thriller set against the backdrop of real-world events, focusing on Nygate's latest novel, "The Protocols of Spying." Discover how the Mossad's London station grapples with intelligence failures and what lies ahead for its chief, Eli Amran, in a post-October 7th world. Don't miss this insightful conversation about the art of crafting a

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37:16

The Wolfpack and the Codebreakers: The Enigma story...

SpyMasters ·

2025/09/18

In this episode of Spymasters, Antonia Senior interviews historian Roger Moorhouse about the Enigma code and its impact on naval warfare during World War II. The conversation explores the crucial role of Polish codebreakers, the operations of U-boats, and the significant turning points in the Battle of the Atlantic. Morehouse shares insights into the human cost of U-boat warfare, the effectiveness of aerial attacks, and the technological advantages gained through codebreaking, ultimately

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43:22

SOE in Europe: extraordinary women with Kate Vigurs

SpyMasters ·

2025/09/04

In this compelling episode of the Spymasters Podcast, we delve into the extraordinary tales of women who defied the odds during World War II. From Hannah Szenes's daring mission to disrupt the Holocaust to the courageous acts of Polish women in the resistance, these stories reveal the incredible bravery and sacrifice of those who risked everything for freedom. Join us as we explore the personal journeys of these unsung heroines and their indelible impact on history.With top historian Kate Vigurs,

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24:04

From Cold War to Cyber Age: Frederick Forsyth, Modern...

SpyMasters ·

2025/07/31

In this episode of the Spymasters Podcast, host Antonia Senior and special guest Oliver Webb Carter explore the enduring influence of Frederick Forsyth, the legendary author behind classics like The Day of the Jackal and The Odessa File. Discover how Forsyth redefined spy fiction with his journalistic precision, insider intelligence, and gritty realism drawn from his time with MI6.As the genre experiences a compelling renaissance in espionage fiction, Antonia and Oliver spotlight a new generation

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42:44

Torture, Terror and Trump: The CIA in the 21st...

SpyMasters ·

2025/07/17

Description:In this explosive episode of The Spymasters Podcast, journalist and host Antonia Senior sits down with legendary investigative reporter and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tim Weiner to discuss his gripping new book, The Mission: The CIA and the 21st Century. From the darkest days of the War on Terror to the chaotic aftermath of 9/11, Weiner unpacks the CIA's transformation—and failures—in the modern era. We delve deep into the CIA’s use of torture, the ethics of enhanced interrogation,

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52:03

The Spy Who Knew Too Much: Vasili Mitrokhin and the...

SpyMasters ·

2025/07/03

🎧 Spymasters — The Spy Who Knew Too Much: Vasily Mitrokin and the KGB's Secret HistoryWhat happens when the keeper of secrets decides to tell the truth? This episode uncovers the extraordinary story of Vasili Mitrokhin — the KGB archivist who risked everything to smuggle out the Soviet Union’s deepest intelligence secrets. From a disillusioned believer in communism to one of the West’s most valuable defectors, Mitrokin’s journey is a Cold War thriller rooted in truth. Antonia Senior talks to

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46:21

The Poet's Game: writing a bestselling spy thriller,...

SpyMasters ·

2025/06/05

In this episode, Antonia Senior dives deep into Paul Vidich’s gripping spy novel The Poet’s Game. We unpack the central theme of trust in espionage, the moral ambiguity faced by CIA agents, and how contemporary political tensions shape the narrative.We also explore how Vidich portrays psychological depth, ideological conflict, and the literary influences that define modern spy fiction. Topics Discussed: Trust and betrayal between handlers and assets The CIA director’s discovery of

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36:37

Clara Vine: an actress and a spy. An interview with...

SpyMasters ·

2025/05/22

🎙️ Spymasters Podcast – Unveiling Clara Vine: A Journey Through Nazi GermanyGuest: Jane ThynneHost: Antonia SeniorGenre: Historical Fiction, EspionageKeywords: Clara Vine, Jane Thynne, espionage, Nazi Germany, historical fiction, Hedy Lamarr, WWII, women in history, literature, spy novels In this episode, host Antonia Senior interviews acclaimed author Jane Thynne, creator of the Clara Vine series. The conversation delves into the life of Clara—an Anglo-German actress and secret intelligence

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66:35

Spying on Hitler: The Spy and the Devil with Tim...

SpyMasters ·

2025/05/08

Tim Willasey-Wilsey comes on Spymasters to talk about the life and espionage career of Baron Bill de Ropp, a spy who infiltrated the Nazi Party during the rise of Adolf Hitler. The discussion covers his early life, his motivations for espionage, his complex relationships with key figures in the Nazi regime, and the challenges he faced as a spy. The conversation also delves into the historical context of the Baltic Germans, the dynamics of British intelligence during the interwar period, and the

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36:00

Crooks and Spies in WW2 London, with Mark Ellis

SpyMasters ·

2025/04/24

In this episode of the SpyMasters podcast, host Antonia Senior interviews thriller writer Mark Ellis, who discusses his journey into writing, the historical context of his novels set in wartime London, and the intricate plots involving crime and espionage. Ellis shares insights into his research methods, the importance of historical accuracy, and the character development of Frank Merlin, his protagonist. The conversation also touches on the portrayal of progressive views in a historical setting and

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40:38

The Son Who Wasn't - an incredible true story of...

SpyMasters ·

2025/04/10

Antonia Senior talks to David Gardner, journalist and author about A Spy in the Family, the book he co-authored with fellow journalist Paul Henderson. BUY THE BOOK: https://amzn.eu/d/5yzY71E keywords espionage, spy stories, Czech spy, betrayal, identity, resilience, historical narrative, true crime, family, Cold War summary An Incredible True Story of Espionage and Betrayal, A Spy in the Family, is the first book to reveal the full, astonishing story of ‘Václav Jelínek’, aka Erwin van Haarlem,

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49:48

The CIA Book Club, with Charlie English

SpyMasters ·

2025/03/27

Summary:In this episode of The Spymasters Podcast, host Antonia Senior is joined by journalist and author Charlie English to discuss his latest book, The CIA Book Club. They dive into the incredible Cold War operation where the CIA secretly distributed banned books behind the Iron Curtain, undermining Soviet censorship and ideological control. Charlie shares gripping stories from his research, the broader impact of literature as a weapon, and how the written word shaped Cold War intelligence

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39:23

Simon Scarrow on A Death in Berlin

SpyMasters ·

2025/03/13

Simon Scarrow, the bestselling novelist, talks to Antonia Senior about his new novel A Death in Berlin. Set in Nazi Germany, this is the third in his series about detective Horst Schenke, an investigator with the Kripo unit. A man has been murdered, and Berlin is flooded with fake ration cards. How does Schenke deal with being a good man within a terrible regime?Simon and Antonia talk about living under the Nazis, about modern parallels and about the art of historical fiction. Buy the book here:

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47:06

Trump and our Intelligence Alliance, with Michael Smith

SpyMasters ·

2025/02/27

Antonia Senior talks to Michael Smith, author of the Real Special Relationship, about the new world order and its impact on the US-UK intelligence alliance. Michael is a journalist and author of a number of books on spies and intelligence. He is a former member of the board of Bletchley Park.Antonia and Michael explore the dynamics of intelligence sharing between the UK and the US, witth historical context, trust issues, and the impact of political leadership on intelligence operations. They look

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37:42

The Oligarch's Daughter, with Joseph Finder

SpyMasters ·

2025/02/13

In this episode of the Spymasters podcast, Antonia Senior interviews bestselling novelist Joseph Finder about his latest thriller, 'The Oligarch's Daughter.' The conversation delves into the book's premise, character dynamics, and the intricate themes of wealth, trust, and the blurred lines between capitalism and intelligence in Russia. Finder shares insights into his writing process, the challenges of creating relatable characters in extraordinary situations, and the cultural nuances that inform

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47 results

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