Episodes

  • Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – 50 years, 50 facts – 1 to 10

    Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – 50 years, 50 facts – 1 to 10
    Feb 17 2025
    In this episode we are celebrating 50 years of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by counting up to 50 interesting things about the book. For numbers one to ten I’m welcoming Matthew Bradford back to the podcast. We talk that iconic cover, opening line and dig into the mystery of who the novel was dedicated to. […]
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    40 mins
  • Ben H. Winters on reading John le Carre

    Ben H. Winters on reading John le Carre
    Feb 4 2025
    In this episode I speak to author Ben H. Winters about his Crime Reads article “In Praise of Reading Le Carré’s Entire Oeuvre In Order”. We talk about the joys of reading an author’s work from start to finish, the connection between author and reader as well as The Looking Glass War as The Bad […]
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    53 mins
  • Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway Explored Part Two

    Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway Explored Part Two
    Jan 20 2025
    In this episode we continue to look at Nick Harkaway’s 2024 George Smiley novel, Karla’s Choice. You can find part one here. Steven Ritterman, le Carré expert and collector, returns to talk through what we thought about this new Smiley novel. Plus, an exclusive discussion with Nick Harkaway about Karla’s choice. All that and much […]
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    42 mins
  • Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway Explored Part One

    Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway Explored Part One
    Jan 9 2025
    In this episode we look at Nick Harkaway’s 2024 George Smiley novel, Karla’s Choice. Steven Ritterman, le Carré expert and collector, joins me to talk through all of our thoughts on this Smiley continuation novel. We talk reference Jurassic Park’s famous quote “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if […]
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    46 mins
  • The le Carre Cast 2024 recap

    The le Carre Cast 2024 recap
    Dec 26 2024
    In this episode I’ve pulled some of my favorite clips from shows this past year. If you missed an episode or enjoyed the shows from this past year, I think you’ll enjoy it. Listen in for the cream of the crop! Dominic Sandbrook on le Carré Paul French on The Honourable Schoolboy Mac Rodgers on […]
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • The Great Blurb Scandal

    The Great Blurb Scandal
    Dec 23 2024
    This episode the le Carré Cast delves into the world of true crime with a look at one of the strangest moments in le Carré’s literary history. You won’t read about this one in Sisman’s biography! Settle in for the case of the fake blurbs. Further Reading Sources used to write this post are below. […]
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    16 mins
  • Absolute Friends by John le Carré Explored Part 2

    Absolute Friends by John le Carré Explored Part 2
    Dec 9 2024
    In this episode we continue to look at John le Carré’s 2003 novel, Absolute Friends. Shane Whaley, host of the Spybrary podcast, is back to break down all of the action in this novel. We talk about the dramatic end of the novel, Mundy and Sasha’s motives and talk about the dangers of entrapment. Plus, […]
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    43 mins
  • Absolute Friends by John le Carré Explored Part 1

    Absolute Friends by John le Carré Explored Part 1
    Nov 26 2024
    In this episode we look at John le Carré’s 2003 novel, Absolute Friends. Shane Whaley, host of the Spybrary podcast joins the show to look at one of his favorite le Carré novels. We talk about the enigma that is Absolute Friends lead character Ted Mundy. How many trips over the wall does it take […]
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    45 mins