May 22, 2024
Order! Order! Welcome to Episode 239 of the Spybrary Spy Book
Podcast! I'm your host, Shane and today Whaley goes to Westminster.
But don't worry; I'm not running for office! I recently had the
pleasure of enjoying a tea break with Gordon Henderson MP. I am a politics nerd
so it was a delight for me to combine both of my passions,
espionage and politics.
Gordon isn't just a sitting member of Parliament for Sittingbourne
and Sheppey in Kent—he's also a passionate writer of spy fiction.
We'll dive into his experiences and inspirations, including his
admiration for Len Deighton and his creation of a very relatable,
working-class spy named Steven Statton.
Join us as Gordon Henderson MP shares insights into his writing
process, offers advice for aspiring authors, and Shane cheekily
asks him about the latest spy scandals in Parliament. Plus, you'll
hear his thoughts on his favorite spy novels, films, and music that
fuels his creativity. So, grab a cup of tea and settle in for an
engaging conversation in the heart of the Palace of Westminster.
All this and more, coming up on Spybrary!
Steven Statton - a very
working-class spy, is a thrill-a-minute story of intrigue and
betrayal at the heart of Britain’s most secretive intelligence
agency. Although set mainly in London, the story sees Steven
Statton travel the world in an effort to counter an Iranian plot to
use the Mafia to destabilise Britain by flooding its streets with
heroin. However, Statton’s task is made harder when he is betrayed
by somebody working in the British Secret Service. Matters come to
a head in a lockup garage in London’s East End, where Statton has a
violent confrontation with two Mafia hitmen, and with his own
boss.