SpyMasters5 Jun 2025

The Poet's Game: writing a bestselling spy thriller, with Paul Vidich

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 compromising material on the president How politics and ideology shape spy operations Psychological depth of characters like Alex Matthews The renaissance of spy fiction in today’s world Perfect for fans of: John le Carré • Charles Cummings David McCloskey • Political thrillers • CIA novels 00:00 – Introduction to *The Poet's Game* 04:00 – Trust and Relationships in Espionage 06:42 – The Complexity of Intelligence Work 10:00 – Moral Ambiguity in Spy Fiction 12:33 – Contemporary Setting and Political Context 15:33 – Character Development and Psychological Depth 18:04 – The Role of Ideology in Espionage 20:57 – The Poet’s Network and Literary Influences 24:06 – The Future of Alex Matthews 26:32 – The Renaissance of Spy Fiction 29:38 – Influences and Responsibilities of Spy Novelists Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Episoder(65)

Spies on Screen by Paul Burke

Paul Burke is interviewed by Barry Forshaw, Financial Times Crime Fiction Critic and author of Crime Fiction: A Reader's Guide. Discussing SPIES ON SCREEN: FROM SILENT TO STREAMING, favourite films, A...

1 Okt 58min

No. 1 St James Court Alan Judd

Alan Judd talks to SpyMasters about his new spy thriller No. 1 St James Park, John le Carré, W Somerset Maugham, Mansfield Cumming, Christopher Marlowe, Jane Archer and women spies of WWI. No. 1 St J...

17 Sep 49min

THE BRITISH AGENT by SIMON CONWAY

Simon Conway talks to SpyMasters about The British Agent, Afghanistan, conspiracy, Chuff, bomb disposal, US politics... THE BRITISH AGENT: A SPY ALONE. AN ENEMY WITHIN. A veteran American spymaste...

4 Sep 1h 16min

ICARUS 17 by Charles Cumming

Charles Cumming talks to Paul Burke about his new novel Icarus 17, latest in the Box 88 series, The Day of the Jackal, A Spy by Nature, Thomas Kell, Geopolitics in the novel, post-Cold War spy fiction...

20 Aug 52min

Sweden's Cold War Guardians with Johan Wennström

Johan Wennström talks to Paul Burke about The Stay Behinds: Sweden's Cold War Guardians. The Stay Behinds: Packed with first-hand accounts and previously classified government documents, this book re...

6 Aug 51min

Red Verdict by James Comey

Former FBI Director JAMES COMEY talks to Paul Burke about his novel RED VERDICT, The FBI, being a socially adept introvert, Russian operations in America, the inspiration for Nora and Benny and The Ka...

16 Jul 1h 5min

The Interpreter's Secret Andrew Rosenheim

Andrew Rosenheim talks about his contemporary spy thriller The Interpreter's Secret, AI in publishing, kindle, literary games on the page, cat and mouse chases. The Interpreter's Secret: in Stockholm...

27 Jun 58min

A Woman Called Edith by Daria Santini

Daria Santini talks to Spymasters about her biography of Edith Tudor Hart, A Woman Called Edith, the Cambridge Five, Arnold Deutsch, photography, working class lives, communism and spying. Edith Tud...

11 Jun 1h 17min