Apr 15, 2026
One of crime fiction's most trusted voices reveals her 5 best
spy novels. In our latest Spybrary Dead Drop Five series, crime
fiction critic Ayo Onatade makes a passionate case
for each one — and her picks may surprise you.
Welcome back to the Dead Drop 5 series! In this episode, Spybrary
host Shane Whaley is joined by Ayo
Onatade — one of the most respected voices in crime
and thriller fiction.
Ayo is a critic, commentator, and moderator who has written
extensively on crime and thriller fiction, contributed to major
reference works on British and American crime writing, and served
as judge and chair for some of the genre's most significant prizes,
including the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger.