Book Off!

Wendy Holden and Jane Thynne are both former journalists turned authors. In fact, they both worked in newsrooms together back in the 1980s.

In this episode, they bring their journalistic competitiveness to the Book Off, but who will triumph?

They also discuss their new novels, their fascination with WW2, why we need to keep telling historic stories and how fun research can be. They also give us some brilliant reading recommendations too!

THE BOOK OFF

'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott

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'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy' by John Le Carre

Here's a little more on Wendy and Jane's books:

The Teacher Of Auschwitz by Wendy Holden

At the dark heart of the Holocaust, there was a wooden hut whose walls were painted with cartoons; a place where children sang, staged plays and wrote poetry. Safely inside, but still in the shadow of the chimneys, they were given better food, kept free of vermin, and were even taught meditation to imagine full stomachs and a day without fear. The man who became their guiding light was a young Jewish prisoner named Fredy Hirsch.

But being a teacher in such a brutal concentration camp was no mean feat. Whether it was begging the SS for better provisions, or hiding his homosexuality from his persecutors, he risked his life every day for one thing: to protect the children from the mortal danger they all faced.

Time is running out for Fredy and the hundreds of children in his care. Can he find a way to teach them the one lesson they really need to know: how to survive?

Midnight In Vienna by Jane Thynne

As war looms over Britain and there is talk of gas masks and blackout, people are understandably jumpy and anxious. Stella Fry, who's been working in Vienna for a Jewish family, returns home with no job and a broken heart. She answers an advertisement from a famous mystery writer, Hubert Newman, who needs a manuscript typed. She takes on the job and is shocked the next day to learn of the writer's sudden, unexplained death. She is even more surprised when, twenty-four hours later, she receives Newman's manuscript and reads the Dedication:

To Stella, spotter of mistakes.

Harry Fox, formerly of Special Branch and brilliant at surveillance, has been suspended for some undisclosed misdemeanor. He has his own reasons for being interested in Hubert Newman. He approaches Stella Fry to share his belief that the writer's death was no accident.

What's more, since she was the last person to see Newman, she could be in danger herself.

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Bestselling authors Linwood Barclay and CJ Tudor join Joe Haddow for a chat about their latest books.

They discuss genre bending, horror tropes, Stephen King, rocking horses, muffins and building tension. Quite the eclectic mix!

They also give us some brilliant book recommendations too.

THE BOOK OFF

'Long Island' by Colm Toibin

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'Altered Carbon' by Richard K Morgan

And here's more on their latest novels!

'Whistle' by Linwood Barclay

Celebrated children’s author and illustrator Annie Blunt has had a dreadful year. Her husband was killed in a tragic accident, then one of her children’s books ignited a major scandal. Desperate for a fresh start, she moves with her young son Charlie to a charming small town in upstate New York where they can begin to heal.

But Annie’s year is about to get worse.

Bored and lonely in their isolated new surroundings, Charlie is thrilled when he finds a forgotten train set in a locked shed in the grounds of their new house. While Annie is pleased to see Charlie happy, there’s something unsettling about his new toy. Strange sounds wake Annie in the night – she’s sure she can hear a train in the middle of the night, although there isn’t an active line for miles. And then bizarre things start happening in the neighbourhood. But even stranger, Annie can’t seem to stop drawing a disturbing new character that has no place in a children’s book…

Grief plays tricks on the mind, but Annie is beginning to think she’s walked out of one nightmare straight into another, only this one is far more terrifying…

The Gathering by CJ Tudor

A boy is found with his throat ripped out, the blood drained from his body. It’s not the first such killing, and the town knows who to blame: the vampyr colony in the mountains.

But out-of-state detective Barbara Atkins think the evidence doesn’t stack up. People are lying.

And Deadhart has a history of dark secrets.

The snow keeps falling, but so do the victims.

Time is running out for Barbara.

Is she hunting a cold-blooded murderer, or a bloodthirsty monster?

And which does she fear most?

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This week, Joe welcomes Milly Johnson and Samuel Burr to the studio to chat about their new novels.

They talk about their writing habits, author mates, female friendships and the menopause amongst man other things.

They also give us some great book recommendations too!

THE BOOK OFF

'We All Want Impossible Things' by Catherine Newman

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'Persuasion' by Jane Austen

And here's more on our guests books...

The Fellowship Of Puzzlemakers - by Samuel Burr

Clayton Stumper is an enigma.

He might be twenty-five years old, but he dresses like your grandad and drinks sherry like your aunt.

Abandoned at birth on the steps of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, he was raised by the sharpest minds in the British Isles and finds himself amongst the last survivors of a fading institution.

When the esteemed crossword compiler, Pippa Allsbrook, passes away, she bestows her final puzzle to him: a promise to reveal the mystery of his parentage and prepare him for his future.

Yet as Clay begins to unpick the clues, he uncovers something even the Fellowship have never been able to solve – and it’s a secret that will change everything…

Same Time Next Week - by Milly Johnson

Welcome to Spring Hill, home to a square of independent shops and cafes, a thriving local community and nearby the newest venture, Ray’s Diner. Here a group of women meet once a week over a cup of something warming.

Amanda is primary carer to her elderly mother and one of the only women in a male-dominated company. Used to being second-best all her life, is this her time to finally break ranks and shine?

Sky works at the repair shop, patching up old teddy bears, and their owners’ hearts. But her heart beats for the one man who is strictly off-limits.

Mel has been a loyal and loving wife to Steve for thirty years. Then when he goes to his old school reunion, life as she knows it will never be the same again.

Erin is trying to get over a traumatic loss where her guilt weighs more than her grief. Can she find the first step to healing lies in sharing an hour with strangers once a week?

Astrid is feeling in need of a change and a challenge. But when a fantastic opportunity presents itself, who is around to convince her she is worthy enough to take the risk?

Can these women find the answers to their worries, acceptance, courage, support here? Join them at the same time next week to find out…

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Emilia Hart and Bridget Collins join Joe Haddow for a pretty fun and chaotic Book Off!

They chat about their brilliant new novels and give us some great book recommendations too. They also talk about the importance of author mates, accidental deleted manuscripts and some scary scary creepy scenes too.

Joe had a glass of wine at lunch before the recording - and then had a negroni thrust in his hands at the studio - so he was quite 'loose' for this one! (enjoy)

THE BOOK OFF

'The Eagle Of The Ninth' by Rosemary Sutcliff

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'A God In Ruins' by Kate Atkinson

If you're a fan of our podcast, please do spread the word to fellow book lovers. And, remember you can follow us on Instagram / Threads / Blue Sky and X (but maybe not for much longer)

And here are the book blurbs for our guests' latest novels:

'The Silence Factory' by Bridget Collins

A glittering edifice, raw and shining. Great lengths of supple silk, rolled onto bales. And the closer you get, the more it whispers…

In the Factory, the looms never stop weaving. Cobwebs transported from ancient Mediterranean glades are spun into a precious fabric that silences the world.

But what happens to those who fall under its spell? And who is harnessing its power?

After all, a world of silence can bring peace, but it can also conceal the deeds of the wicked…

The Silence Factory is an enthralling story about complicity, desire and corruption – a novel to lose yourself in.

'The Sirens' by Emilia Hart 

Sisters separated by centuries. Voices that can't be drowned out. Lucy is running from what she’s done – and what someone did to her.

There’s only one person who might understand: her sister Jess. But when Lucy arrives at her sister’s desolate cliff-top house, Jess is gone.

Lucy is now alone, in a strange town steeped in rumour. Stories of men disappearing without a trace. A foundling discovered in a sea-swept cave. And women’s voices murmuring on the waves…

As Lucy searches for her sister, those voices get ever louder. They tell of two sisters, two centuries ago, bound and transported across the world. A world where men always get their way. A world that is at once distant, and achingly familiar. Are these voices luring Lucy closer to her sister? Or will the secrets of the past pull them both under?

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Debut novelists, Roisin O'Donnell and Chris McQueer, go head to head in a war of the words.

They discuss their latest books ("Nesting" and "Hermit"), their writing inspirations, the power of short stories and the rise of toxic masculinity.

Whilst Andrew Tate doesn't in any way dominate this conversation (nor should he dominate any conversation), the authors discuss how young boys and men are being radicalised through dangerous people on social media and what, if anything, can be done about it.

Both books also look at the theme of coercive control, which again is something else that is on the rise.

They also recommend us some brilliant books - and have a bit of a love-off about Wendy Erskine.

THE BOOK OFF

'Threats' by Amelia Gray

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'Demon Copperhead' by Barbara Kingsolver

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Sir Ben Okri and Colum McCann join Joe Haddow for a war of the words...

This is Ben's second appearance on Book Off! (The first author to ever appear on the pod twice)

Let's see if he's learnt anything from the last time!

He chats about his woozy new novella - "Madame Sosostris And The Festival For The Broken-Hearted' - and the poem that inspired it. We also learn he has read 'War & Peace' FOUR times! And so we get a full Ben Okri style review...

Colum's new novel - 'Twist' - is a darkly epic tale of connection, disconnection and destruction. He chats about his research on ships in South Africa and his fascination with what's under the sea - deep down.

The writers also discuss the importance of artists and books in this turbulent time, and recommend us some brilliant novels too.

THE BOOK OFF

"Le Grand Meaulnes" by Alain Fournier

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"When The Bulbul Stopped Singing" by Raja Shehadeh

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Bestselling thriller writer(s) Nicci French go head to head in a war of the words, expertly refereed by Joe Haddow.

Nicci French is the pen name for husband and wife writing team, Nicci Gerrard and Sean French, and this is our first official Book Off couple!

Sean and Nicci discuss their latest novel, The Last Days Of Kira Mullan, and dig into some of the themes which inspired this story.

Here's the blurb:

Nancy North and her boyfriend Felix are making the move across London to Harlesden. A new flat, a new area, a new start. Because while Nancy is fine now, she wasn’t fine before. But settling into the new flat and meeting the new neighbours isn’t helped by Felix’s hovering concern. She is all right. She is sticking to her breathing exercises and doctor-prescribed help.  

So, when their new neighbour Kira Mullan is found dead by suicide, Felix is understandably worried about Nancy’s frame of mind. But Nancy saw Kira the day before she died and she didn’t strike her as someone who was suicidal – she was upset and angry, yes, but was she upset and angry enough to take her own life?  Nancy is the only one convinced that there’s more to Kira’s death than has been discovered. But all the police and the neighbours see is a vulnerable woman who isn’t sure of what she saw, and might even be imagining things . . .  

Nicci and Sean also give us some brilliant book recommendations - SO MANY recommendations - which include the audiobook of Samuel Pepys' diaries.

As former journalists, they're both pretty competitive, but we don't think the Book Off will be the end of the marriage... (?)

THE BOOK OFF

'Presumed Innocent' by Scott Turow

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'The Feast' by Margaret Kennedy

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On the first episode of Series 14, we welcome bestselling authors Emma Healey and Fiona Scarlett to the studio.

They chat about their new novels, give us some great book recommendations - and go head to head in a war of the words! (aka The Book Off)

Emma Healey's new novel - Sweat - is a maze-like game of revenge. It blends wellness culture with a slow-burn feminist thriller - and is eery and unsettling and brilliant.

We look at what it means to hold the power in a relationship, what happens when power shifts - and - we talk about the gaze. The male gaze. Female gaze. And how looks can be both innocent and evil.

Fiona Scarlett's latest novel - May All Your Skies Be Blue - is beautiful and devastating and raw, and has an unforgettable cast of characters.

We have a bit of a nostalgia trip, remembering gigs in the 90s, life without mobile phones and how fun it was to use the local phonebox! And we talk about the power of friendships, on the page and in life in general.

Both guests are huge readers, and like to read very widely.

Fiona likes to read a poem or play before she goes to bed - and recommended these:

Marina Carr - "Audrey Or Sorrow"

Bernard O'Donoghue - "The Day I Outlived My Father"

Emily Bronte - "Wuthering Heights" (re-read)

Emma has been enjoying some non-fiction recently, and recommended:

A. J. A Symons - "The Quest For Corvo"

Stephen Scheding - "A Small Unsigned Painting"

And has also been devouring this novel:

John Lanchester - "The Debt To Pleasure"

THE BOOK OFF

Martin Waddell - "Can't You Sleep Little Bear" (illustrated by Barbara Firth)

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Helen Garner - "Joe Cinque's Consolation"

(*We recorded this late in 2024 - so there may be a couple of out of date references)

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Two great music writers - James Kaplan and Paul Alexander - join Joe for a War of the Words.

Joe gets excited and takes a deep dive into both of their brilliant books, which are both about America in the 40s and 50s, both about the jazz music scene, but follow very different subjects.

'Three Shades Of Blue' by James Kaplan is biography of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Bill Evans - and how those three extraordinary musicians made one of the greatest jazz albums of all time: Kind Of Blue.

'Bitter Crop' by Paul Alexander is a biography of the great Billie Holiday, but told through the last year of her life - 1959 - which coincidently is when Kind Of Blue came out.

Both books are brimming with great stories and accounts from the time - they are meticulously researched - snd Joe asks both authors how immersed they get in their subjects when writing. They also give us some brilliant book recommendations as well!

THE BOOK OFF

'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote

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'Last Train To Memphis' by Peter Guralnick

We hope you enjoy the chat - which we've kept a little long - which may well inspire you to put on some jazz after listening!? :-)

Oooooh and get this!

For a limited time, you can get £100 off off any HD light and free UK delivery. Just visit seriousreaders.com/bookoff to claim your discount!

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Two top crime and thriller writers, Ragnar Jonasson and Simon Kernick, go head to head in a war of the words!

They share their love of Agatha Christie, why scary crime fiction doesn't have to be gory and tell us about their latest novels. ("Death At The Sanitorium" and "You All Die Tonight")

We also get some cracking book recommendations from them too.

THE BOOK OFF!

'The Murder On The Links' by Agatha Christie

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'McNally's Luck' by Lawrence Sanders

QUICK NOTE!

For a limited time, you can get £100 off off any HD light and free UK delivery. Just visit seriousreaders.com/bookoff to claim your discount!

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