In this special episode of Spybrary, Shane is joined by fellow spy fan Joe Modzelewski for an in-depth International Spy Museum review. Recorded after their recent visit to the museum in Washington D.C., this episode is packed with honest reflections, surprising discoveries, and plenty of spy geekery.

From Virginia Hall’s heroic story to rare artifacts like the Enigma machine and a section of the Berlin Tunnel, Shane and Joe cover it all—including the museum’s interactive spy games, an exhibit on intelligence analysis, and the must-see “Bond in Motion” car display.

Whether you're a longtime espionage fiction enthusiast or just planning your first visit, this is your ultimate guide to navigating the International Spy Museum and getting the most out of it.

🕵️‍♂️ Topics include:

• What makes the Spy Museum a must-visit

• Interactive missions and spy quizzes

• Rare Cold War artifacts and East German intel gear

• The museum's educational value for casual fans and hardcore readers alike

• Bond in Motion: Why it’s not just for car buffs

• What spy books is Joe reading and who are some of his favourites.

🎟️ Plan your visit: https://www.spymuseum.org

On this episode of Spybrary, I welcome back one of today's finest spy fiction authors, Paul Vidich. We're diving into his gripping new novel, The Poet's Game, a contemporary espionage thriller rooted in the tense geopolitics of modern-day Russia and the United States. Paul joins me to unpack the creative process, real-life inspirations, and the deeply personal conflicts faced by his latest protagonist, Alex Matthews.

We explore how Paul's personal family connections to the intelligence world have shaped his storytelling, and what drives him to keep revisiting the morally complex world of spies. From constructing rich character backstories to virtually navigating the streets of Moscow via Google Street View, Paul reveals the meticulous research and layered writing that make his novels so immersive. Tune in to hear about literary Easter eggs, historical intrigue, and the emotional depths that define The Poet's Game.

[2:22] - Paul shares the real-life inspiration behind his enduring fascination with spy fiction. [4:50] - The 2017 White House meeting that sparked the idea for The Poet's Game.
[7:42] - Decoding the significance of the title and the poetic codenames in the novel.
[11:21] - How personal loss and professional guilt shape protagonist Alex Matthews.
[18:47] - The secrets to vividly portraying cities like Moscow without ever visiting.
[24:42] - The role of real historical figures and why Paul doesn't shy away from controversy. [32:25] - The E. Howard Hunt Easter egg and why The Judas Hour made it into the story. [42:54] - What Paul hopes readers will take away from The Poet's Game.

Links & Resources:

• Buy The Poet's Game by Paul Vidich: [Available at all major bookstores and online retailers]
• Paul Vidich Official Website
• Join the Spybrary Community: https://spybrary.com/community
• The Spy Reader's Guide to the spy books of Paul Vidich
• Previous Paul Vidich interviews and conversations on Spybrary.

Fans of George Smiley, John le Carré’s legendary spymaster, have reason to celebrate. In a rare double coup for the espionage world, Nick Harkaway—le Carré’s son—has announced The Taper Man, a new Smiley novel arriving in 2026, while The Spy Who Came in From the Cold will receive its first-ever stage adaptation in the West End this autumn.

The announcement marks a major return of the “Circus,” le Carré’s iconic fictionalised British intelligence service, and the literary rebirth of one of spy fiction’s most enduring characters.

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Set in 1965, The Taper Man picks up 18 months after the events of Harkaway’s bestselling Karla’s Choice and places George Smiley in unfamiliar terrain—America. The novel explores Smiley’s pursuit of a communist network on the US West Coast, threading together geopolitical paranoia with moral ambiguity in classic le Carré fashion.

The story unfolds amid the tumultuous backdrop of the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War, with Smiley navigating tensions with the CIA ("the Cousins") while unravelling Soviet infiltrations that stretch back to the 1950s.

“It’s time to meet our American Cousins,” Harkaway says. “We’re following the breadcrumbs of a messy debacle in Helsinki all the way to California, uncovering the truth of Karla’s 1950s network and pursuing Roy Bland into the USSR.”

Publishing director Harriet Bourton of Viking describes The Taper Man as “an extraordinary new addition to the iconic literary world of John le Carré,” praising Harkaway’s ability to honour the legacy while making it unmistakably his own.

Alongside the novel news, spy fans will see Smiley on stage for the first time this November, when The Spy Who Came in From the Cold—le Carré’s 1963 classic—premieres at @sohoplace in London. Directed by Jeremy Herrin and adapted by acclaimed playwright David Eldridge, the production follows a successful run at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Rory Keenan stars as Alec Leamas, the embittered British agent at the heart of the novel, with Agnes O’Casey playing Liz Gold. George Smiley will be portrayed by John Ramm.

Clare Cornwell, director of the le Carré estate, says: “We are delighted to be celebrating the return of the Circus and George Smiley through these two new projects.”

Nick Harkaway, the fourth son of David Cornwell (John le Carré), previously completed the posthumous publication of Silverview and edited A Private Spy, a collection of his father’s letters. In Karla’s Choice, he took the bold step of writing new fiction within the le Carré universe—an effort praised by critics and readers alike.

Watch our interview all about Karla's Choice with Nick Harkaway.

With The Taper Man, Harkaway deepens his claim to the Smiley legacy while expanding the geopolitical canvas of the saga.

For longtime fans of le Carré, and the next generation discovering his work through adaptations and new fiction, 2025 may just be the most thrilling year since Smiley first came in from the cold.