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Quick Book Reviews with Philippa Hall
David Goodman on Solitary Agents, Spy Fiction and Writing Through Rejection
Ep. 463
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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to David Goodman about his latest spy thriller Solitary Agents, the follow-up to his brilliant debut A Reluctant Spy.
David talks about writing spy fiction for readers who may not usually read spy novels, creating the hugely compelling character of Jamie Tulloch, and the long road to publication after earlier books did not sell. He also discusses awards, resilience, TV adaptation developments, and his upcoming science fiction novel Shards of Starlight, written as David W. Goodman.
Philippa also reviews:
- The Good Listener by Holly Watt
- Such a Nice Girl by Andrea Mara
- The Thick of It BBC audiobook
- David Goodman on Solitary Agents
- Why spy fiction is having a major moment
- Writing accessible spy thrillers
- Jamie Tulloch and the world of MI5 and MI6
- The challenge of writing a second book
- Rejection, persistence and finding your writing community
- TV adaptation news for A Reluctant Spy
- Writing science fiction as David W. Goodman
- Dream and nightmare writing locations
- Philippa’s spoiler-free book reviews
Solitary Agents follows Jamie Tulloch after the events of A Reluctant Spy. Having tried to return to civilian life, Jamie finds himself pulled back towards the secret world — this time hoping to become an agent runner.
But during a training exercise involving MI5 and MI6, Jamie and new character Sam Lee witness something that may be part of the drill… or may be frighteningly real.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- spy fiction
- thrillers
- MI5 and MI6 stories
- character-led suspense
- smart, pacey writing
- novels by Mick Herron, John le Carré and David McCloskey
The Good Listener – Holly Watt
A gripping thriller about an anonymous caller, a shocking confession, and a mother still searching for justice.
Such a Nice Girl – Andrea Mara
A tense, twisty thriller about two missing young women, a luxury wedding, and a friendship pushed to breaking point.
The Thick of It – BBC audiobook
A brilliantly sweary political satire featuring Malcolm Tucker and the chaos of government.
Books Mentioned- Solitary Agents – David Goodman
- A Reluctant Spy – David Goodman
- Shards of Starlight – David W. Goodman
- Children of Strife – Adrian Tchaikovsky
- Slow Gods – Claire North
- The Last Contract of Isako – Fonda Lee
- The Good Listener – Holly Watt
- Such a Nice Girl – Andrea Mara
- The Thick of It – BBC Audio
David chooses Nairn’s salted caramel oatcakes, after formerly being a chocolate Hobnob fan. A strong Scottish biscuit-adjacent choice.
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469. My Holiday Reading Stack: 12 Books & 4 Graphic Novels I'm Shipping to Greece
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24:29||Ep. 462In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to bestselling thriller author Jack Jordan about his brand new novel, Deception — a tense, addictive thriller that asks one terrifying question:How far would you go to save your child?Jack discusses:the inspiration behind Deceptionwriting high-stakes moral dilemmasbalancing relentless tension with emotional depthwhy readers become emotionally involved in his booksthe pressure of deadlines and perfectionismTV adaptations of his novelsworking with Elisabeth Moss on the adaptation of Convictionhow his books became known for their impossible ethical questionsPhilippa and Jack also talk about:dream and nightmare writing locationswriting while emotionally “living” the scenesairport chaos as the ultimate writing nightmarethriller pacing and giving readers room to breathethe importance of book cover designreader bookshelves and collectible editionswhy Jack rewrites drafts obsessively before anyone sees themAbout DeceptionEmma and Miles are desperate to save their son, who urgently needs life-changing surgery they cannot afford.Their last hope is a mysterious organisation called The Levels — a dangerous competition where contestants commit escalating crimes for escalating rewards.But they are not the only players.As the stakes rise, Deception forces both its characters — and its readers — to confront impossible moral questions:What would you do to save the person you love most?Topics CoveredPsychological thrillersMoral dilemma fictionWriting process and perfectionismTV and streaming adaptationsPublishing deadlinesCrime fictionBook cover brandingWorking-class journeys into publishingReader communitiesThriller pacingMemorable MomentsJack describing writing deadlines as “life or death”The Italian lakeside villa dream writing retreatThe airport nightmare writing scenario“A panic attack in two covers”Jack revealing nobody sees his real first draftsThe emotional intensity of writing thriller scenesThe revelation that Deception has been optioned for televisionBiscuit VerdictOfficial writing fuel:BourbonsFour-finger Kit KatsBonus points for accidental all-chocolate Kit KatsStrong support for peanut butter Kit KatsFollow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: quickbookreviews@outlook.com📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews461. Rosie Walsh on The One Day You Were My Husband, Emotional Thrillers and Writing Through Doubt
44:32||Ep. 461In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, it is feedback week! Please send Philippa your thoughts on the podcast, you can email here: quickbookreviews@outlook.com. You can find her on instagram at this account: @quick_book_reviewsPhilippa chats to bestselling author Rosie Walsh about her gripping new novel The One Day You Were My Husband.Rosie discusses the inspiration behind the book, the challenges of writing after major success, researching the life of a surgeon, and why this was the book she came closest to abandoning.Philippa also reviews three very different books:The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt DinnimanA Deadly Episode by Anthony HorowitzDeception by Jack JordanIn this episodeRosie Walsh on The One Day You Were My HusbandWriting emotional thrillers with huge twistsThe pressure of following bestselling novelsWhy this book was so difficult to writeBalancing publicity, motherhood and creativityWriting under the name Lucy RobinsonResearching medicine and surgery for fictionThe importance of titles in publishingPhilippa’s spoiler-free book reviewsFeedback week for the podcastAbout The One Day You Were My HusbandCarrie and Johan are newly married on a beach in Thailand when armed men arrive and take Johan away.Twelve years later, Carrie has rebuilt her life. She is remarried, has children, and is preparing to return to work as a surgeon. Then she sees a familiar face online — Johan, alive in Stockholm, with a new life of his own.Why did he never contact her?What really happened in Thailand?And should Carrie risk everything to find out?Books reviewedThe Eye of the Bedlam Bride – Matt DinnimanA wildly inventive, hilarious and action-packed instalment in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.A Deadly Episode – Anthony HorowitzA clever, funny Hawthorne mystery set around the filming of The Word Is Murder.Deception – Jack JordanA high-stakes thriller about desperate parents, impossible choices and a deadly game.Books mentionedThe One Day You Were My Husband – Rosie WalshThe Love of My Life – Rosie WalshGhosted / The Man Who Didn’t Call – Rosie WalshThe Things You’ll Never Know – Ashley AudrainThe Eye of the Bedlam Bride – Matt DinnimanA Deadly Episode – Anthony HorowitzDeception – Jack JordanBiscuit verdictNo biscuits for Rosie Walsh — but there is a memorable discussion of cold sliced hard-boiled eggs, fruit, yogurt and a life without sugar.