Simon Mayo's Books Of The Year

John Le Carre's son, Nick Harkaway, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new Circus novel. They discuss the challenges (and joys) of taking on the mantel of such an iconic character (George Smiley) and writing in his father's footsteps, as well as the research it takes to get the technology of the time right. As well as lots of espionage stories, they chat about John Le Carre, his voice, his style - and why Nick decided to write this novel in the first place. The book is Karla's Choice - and you can read more about it here: It is spring in 1963 and George Smiley has left the Circus. With the wreckage of the West's spy war with the Soviets strewn across Europe, he has eyes only on a more peaceful life. And indeed, with his marriage more secure than ever, there is a rumour in Whitehall – unconfirmed and a little scandalous – that George Smiley might almost be happy.But Control has other plans. A Russian agent has defected in the most unusual of circumstances, and the man he was sent to kill in London is nowhere to be found. Smiley reluctantly agrees to one last simple task: interview Susanna, a Hungarian émigré and employee of the missing man, and sniff out a lead. But in his absence the shadows of Moscow have lengthened. Smiley will soon find himself entangled in a perilous mystery that will define the battles to come, and strike at the heart of his greatest enemy… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Hunter Murray joins Simon Mayo and Matt Williams for our Q&A episode. They chat about some of his favourite authors, his love of 'cosy crime' and what he likes to eat when he's writing (question courtesy of his fellow author and friend, Cariad Lloyd) We also learn who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author, podcaster and QI legend - Andy Hunter Murray - joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his latest novel, 'A Beginner's Guide To Breaking And Entering' They chat about his inspirations for the book, the anger behind it, how to make a social commentary through comedy - and why a character in the book hates Magic FM so much! Here's the book blurb: Property might be theft. But the housing market is murder.My name is Al. I live in wealthy people's second homes while their real owners are away.I don’t rob them, I don’t damage anything… I’m more an unofficial house-sitter than an actual criminal.Life is good.Or it was - until last night, when my friends and I broke into the wrong place, on the wrong day, and someone wound up dead.And now … now we’re in a great deal of trouble. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling author Abigail Dean joins Simon and Matt for a Q&A. She talks about some of her favourite authors, gives us some book recommendations - and - reveals who she would invite to her fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling thriller writer, Abigail Dean, joins Simon and Matt to discuss her latest novel, 'The Death Of Us' This has been an idea she's been thinking about for over a decade, but the timing hasn't been right to write it until recently. She talks about her inspirations and influences - and how she reacted to learning that Stephen King had read it! Here's a little more about the book: t’s the story everyone wants to hear. That spring night in South London, when Isabel and Edward’s lives were torn apart. The night Isabel learned that the worst things wait, just outside the door. The night Edward learned that he was powerless to stop them. The night they never talk about. When their attacker is caught, it's finally time to tell the story of that night. Not to the world. Or to the man who did it. But to each other. This is a story of murder. This is a story of survival. But most of all, this is a story of love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Screenwriter and novelist, Robert Crais, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his processes, favourite authors, screen adaptations - and who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party. We also hear from fellow crime author, Steve Cavanagh, who is a huge Robert Crais fan - and - put him on our radar in the first place! (so it seemed apt) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

International bestselling author and screenwriter, Robert Crais, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new novel 'The Big Empty'. They chat about his inspirations for the story and characters, and how the classic TV shows he worked on in the 70s and 80s have influenced his writing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling author and essayist, Elif Shafak, answers questions about her writing process, inspirations and favourite authors. She also tells us the shocking and extraordinary story of when she was arrested in Turkey, in the name of fiction. We also find out who she would invite to her fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

International bestselling author, essayist and activist - Elif Shafak - joins Simon and Matt for a chat about her novel, 'There Are Rivers In The Sky' She talks about her inspirations for this epic tale, why she writes with history in mind and who she is writing for. Here's more on the book: In Victorian London, an extraordinary child is born at the edge of the dirt-black Thames. When his brilliant memory earns him a spot as an apprentice at a printing press, the world opens up far beyond the slums and across the seas. In 2014 in Turkey, Narin, a Yazidi girl living by the River Tigris, waits to be baptized. The ceremony is cruelly interrupted, and soon she and her grandmother must journey across war-torn lands in the hope of reaching the sacred valley of their people. In 2018 in London, broken-hearted Zaleekhah, a hydrologist, moves to a houseboat on the Thames to escape the wreckage of her marriage – until an unexpected connection to her homeland changes everything. A dazzling feat of storytelling from one of the greatest writers of our time, one that spans centuries and continents, this is the story of one lost poem, two great rivers and three remarkable lives – all connected by a single drop of water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon and Matt ask lawyer turned bestselling author, Scott Turow, questions about his processes and favourite authors. As well as learning about how he writes - and where - we also find out who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. There's also a surprise question from a global superstar author! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices