International bestselling author, Ian McEwan, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new novel 'What We Can Know'.

Optimistic manifesto? Or a cautious tale?

In the first half of the book, we learn about a lost poem - which is at the heart of the novel - as this is ultimately a book about a quest.

As well as poetry, they talk about renewable energies being on the rise and the positive conversations around climate change.

'you only have to stop doing bad things to nature, for it to push back quickly'

Here's more on the book:

2014: A great poem is read aloud and never heard again. For generations, people speculate about its message, but no copy has yet been found.
2119: The lowlands of the UK have been submerged by rising seas. Those who survive are haunted by the richness of the world that has been lost.
Tom Metcalfe, a scholar at the University of the South Downs, part of Britain's remaining archipelagos, pores over the archives of the early twenty-first century, captivated by the freedoms and possibilities of human life at its zenith.
When he stumbles across a clue that may lead to the great lost poem, revelations of entangled love and a brutal crime emerge, destroying his assumptions about a story he thought he knew intimately.

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Crime author, Laura Shepherd-Robinson, joins Simon and Matt for a natter about the authors and books she loves - and her writing process.

We also surprise her with a question from the author SJ Parris - and find out who she would invite to her fantasy dinner party.

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Author Laura Shepherd-Robinson joins Simon and Matt for a natter about her latest historical crime novel - 'The Art Of A Lie'

They discuss conmen, ice cream, twists and turns, the 18th Century and loving characters too much.

Matt has claimed this is probably his favourite book of the year so far! See if you agree....

Here's more about 'The Art Of A Lie'

London, 1749

Hannah Cole's world shatters following her husband’s brutal murder. Her confectionary shop, the Punchbowl and Pineapple, teeters on the brink of ruin. Just as she uncovers a hidden fortune―money her husband secretly possessed―a new nightmare begins.

Magistrate Henry Fielding, the renowned author, suspects illicit gains. To save her inheritance, her shop, and her very reputation, Hannah must delve into her late husband's secret life. But as she unearths a labyrinth of lies and deceit, she finds herself entangled in a battle of wits far more dangerous than she could ever have imagined.
From Sunday Times bestselling author Laura Shepherd-Robinson comes a twisty, immersive thriller where the truth is a luxury Hannah Cole can’t afford, and every secret is a step closer to her own undoing.

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Bestselling author Lucy Foley joins Simon and Matt for a chat about her latest novel, 'The Midnight Feast' (which has just come out in paperback)

She talks about the place and setting that inspired the story, folk-horror, how much to reveal early on in a story and why more and more entertainment seems to be laughing at the super rich.

Matt shares his opinions about the term 'beach read' and Simon tries to avoid any plot spoilers.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Midsummer, the Dorset coast

In the shadows of an ancient wood, guests gather for the opening weekend of The Manor: a beautiful new countryside retreat.

But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. And the candles have barely been lit for a solstice supper when the body is found.

It all began with a secret, fifteen years ago. Now the past has crashed the party. And it’ll end in murder at…

THE MIDNIGHT FEAST

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Bestselling author Nick Harkaway joins Simon and Matt for our Q&A episode.

He talks about books and authors he loves, his writing process, adaptations of his father's (John Le Carre) work, and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party.

We also surprise Nick with a question from previous Books Of The Year guest, David McCloskey!

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Author Nick Harkaway answers our Q&A questions!

He talks to Simon and Matt about his reading habits, authors he loves, whether he always finishes a book or not - and - who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party!

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John Le Carre's son, Nick Harkaway, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new Circus novel.

They discuss the challenges (and joys) of taking on the mantel of such an iconic character (George Smiley) and writing in his father's footsteps, as well as the research it takes to get the technology of the time right.

As well as lots of espionage stories, they chat about John Le Carre, his voice, his style - and why Nick decided to write this novel in the first place.

The book is Karla's Choice - and you can read more about it here:

It is spring in 1963 and George Smiley has left the Circus. With the wreckage of the West's spy war with the Soviets strewn across Europe, he has eyes only on a more peaceful life. And indeed, with his marriage more secure than ever, there is a rumour in Whitehall – unconfirmed and a little scandalous – that George Smiley might almost be happy.
But Control has other plans. A Russian agent has defected in the most unusual of circumstances, and the man he was sent to kill in London is nowhere to be found. Smiley reluctantly agrees to one last simple task: interview Susanna, a Hungarian émigré and employee of the missing man, and sniff out a lead. But in his absence the shadows of Moscow have lengthened. Smiley will soon find himself entangled in a perilous mystery that will define the battles to come, and strike at the heart of his greatest enemy…

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Andrew Hunter Murray joins Simon Mayo and Matt Williams for our Q&A episode.

They chat about some of his favourite authors, his love of 'cosy crime' and what he likes to eat when he's writing (question courtesy of his fellow author and friend, Cariad Lloyd)

We also learn who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party...

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Author, podcaster and QI legend - Andy Hunter Murray - joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his latest novel, 'A Beginner's Guide To Breaking And Entering'

They chat about his inspirations for the book, the anger behind it, how to make a social commentary through comedy - and why a character in the book hates Magic FM so much!

Here's the book blurb:

Property might be theft. But the housing market is murder.
My name is Al. I live in wealthy people's second homes while their real owners are away.
I don’t rob them, I don’t damage anything… I’m more an unofficial house-sitter than an actual criminal.
Life is good.
Or it was - until last night, when my friends and I broke into the wrong place, on the wrong day, and someone wound up dead.
And now … now we’re in a great deal of trouble.

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Bestselling author Abigail Dean joins Simon and Matt for a Q&A.

She talks about some of her favourite authors, gives us some book recommendations - and - reveals who she would invite to her fantasy dinner party.

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