The past is never dead, it isn’t even past
Spymasters Book Prize 2025 We are pleased and proud to announce the shortlist for the first Spymasters Book Prize. Our judges have thoroughly enjoyed reading and debating the entries. We would recommend you all to read the shortlist - and longlist - and choose your...
The Rise and Fall of the British Army by Ben Barry This detailed though eminently accessible and readable book demonstrates that without an extensive land-based war fighting capability the UK would not have been able to respond to the range and extent of challenges...
Karl, Operation Nightfall is a sequel, after your first, Grown Men Cry Out at Night. What’s happened between the two novels? Historically speaking, quite a bit. My first novel, Grown Men Cry Out at Night was set in Bremen, Germany in 1946. The war in Europe had just...
When The Cold War Became “Hot” Several years ago, I underwent physiotherapy treatment for shoulder pain. During one session, the physiotherapist noted I was a veteran, and wishing to pass the time, she asked me when and where I served. I replied I served in the US...
Summer Reads from Aspects of HistoryLucy Ashe Author of The Sleeping BeautiesThe Eights is Joanna Miller’s debut novel that combines fascinating historical research with the creation of four compelling female characters, The Eights is set at St Hugh’s College, Oxford,...
The Bratinsky Affair is Jim Loughran’s debut novel. Set in 1976, the thrilling story unfolds through a dual perspective: one is Tom O’Brien, a closeted Irish journalist from Wicklow, seeking the story to prove his ability to his higher-ups, and Irina Bratinsky, a...
At 19:07 on Monday 5th May 1980, the Metropolitan Police passed control of the Iranian Embassy siege to Lt. Col Mike Rose, commanding officer of the Special Air Service. Operation Nimrod was underway, as members of B Squadron abseiled, shot or blasted their way into...
LBJ’s Flawed Plan When President Johnson weighed sending American troops, aircraft, and ships to Vietnam in 1965, Korea was foremost in his mind. The Korean War had sunk the Truman presidency, and President Eisenhower had ended that war only by threatening to use...
The Secretary is a thrilling examination of the deadly unease in 1958 Moscow during the Cold War, from the rare perspective of a female MI6 operative. Lois Vale is tasked with the deep-cover mission of unearthing a suspected mole lurking in the British embassy,...
Deborah Lawrenson on The Secretary What drew you to the Cold War era specifically, 1958 Moscow, as the setting for The Secretary? Growing up around the world as an embassy child, I was always aware that my parents were living an unusual and interesting life. My...
