Michael Idov, author of The Collaborators, joins Spybrary to discuss the spy novel everyone in our community is raving about.

In this in-depth conversation, Michael shares how his Soviet upbringing, real-world intelligence events like the Ryanair Belarus 'hijacking' incident and Moscow taxi hacker chaos, and his love for British espionage fiction shaped his gripping debut spy novel.

We also dive into his work on Deutschland 83, Deutschland 89, his admiration for OSINT warriors like Bellingcat, and his love letter to cities like Riga, Berlin, and London.

🎧 Topics include:
Real-world events that feature in The Collaborators
Why Michael sees spy fiction as a milieu, not a genre
The delicate balance between spy realism and cinematic action
OSINT’s influence on modern espionage stories
British vs. American spy fiction traditions
🔗 Show Notes + Links: https://spybrary.com/261
📚 Buy The Collaborators: https://geni.us/V8T5a
Join the Spybrary Spy Fiction Fans Community: https://www.spybrary.com/community 👍 Like, subscribe, and comment — what’s your favourite modern spy novel?

Ever wonder what spy books former CIA spy Valerie Plame can't put down?

Today on Spybrary, host Shane Whaley is joined by none other than Valerie Plame—former CIA covert operative, bestselling author, and an iconic voice in the world of intelligence and espionage.

For over a decade, Valerie Plame served on the front lines of national security, operating undercover in some of the world’s most complex and volatile environments. Her CIA career—and the controversial public outing that ended it—has been the subject of headlines, books, and a major Hollywood film 'Fair Game'

Now, Valerie Plame joins us for a very different kind of mission—her Spybrary Dead Drop 5. She’ll reveal the five spy books she’d choose to stash in a hidden drop in East Berlin, the titles she’d rely on during a covert operation behind the Iron Curtain. From childhood favorites to deeply researched histories, Valerie’s picks promise intrigue, insight, and a few surprises.

Strap in—this is going to be a Spybrary episode to remember.

The Dead Drop 5 is back! In this much-requested Spybrary feature, our guest is embedded behind the Iron Curtain and can request five spy books, a gadget, luxury items and more from their handler.

Before we get to Valerie Plame's five favourite books do check out her event Spies at Seas. Valerie and her team have kindly offered a discount for Spybrarians.

🔥 In This Episode:

He's back.

Former MI6 officer turned critically acclaimed novelist, Charles Beaumont returns to the Spybrary podcast on the launch day of his second novel, A Spy at War, the highly anticipated sequel to his bestselling debut, A Spy Alone.

Recorded on publication day, this conversation delves deep—not only into the plot and characters of the new book, but also into the role of spy fiction in helping us make sense of today’s volatile geopolitical landscape.

Join us for a gripping conversation about war, fiction, statecraft, and the moral complexities of modern espionage.

A QUICK HEADS UP. A Spybrary first, due to Charles Beaumont's work for the Intelligence Services, our technical division has digitally altered his voice to protect his identity.

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