Vaseem Khan talks to Paul burke about Quantum of Menace, The Girl in Cell A, Major Boothroyd 'Q', Quantum Mechanics, headhunters and out for a duck. Quantum of Menace: Q is out of MI6 . . . and in over his head After Major Boothroyd (aka Q) is unexpectedly ousted from his role with British Intelligence developing technologies for MI6's 00 agents, he finds himself back in his sleepy hometown of Wickstone-on-Water. His childhood friend, renowned quantum computer scientist Peter Napier, has died in mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a cryptic note. The police seem uninterested, but Q feels compelled to investigate and soon discovers that Napier's ground-breaking work may have attracted sinister forces . . . Can Q decode the truth behind Napier's death, even as danger closes in? Vaseem Khan is the author of two award-winning crime series set in India, the Baby Ganesh Agency series set in modern Mumbai, and the Malabar House historical crime novels set in 1950s Bombay. His first book, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra, was selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015-2020, and is translated into 17 languages. In 2021, Midnight at Malabar House won the Crime Writers Association Historical Dagger. Vaseem was born in England, but spent a decade working in India. In 2006, he returned to the UK and joined University College London's Department of Security and Crime Science, where he has helped manage the Dawes Centre for Future Crime. In 2023, Vaseem was elected Chair of the UK Crime Writers' Association. Recommends The Ministry of Time Kaliane Bradley Paul Burke is editor of Aspects of Crime, a CWA Gold Dagger judge and a contributor to crime magazines. His first book The Encyclopedia of Spy Fiction will be released in September, 2026. Produced by Junkyarddog Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LOUISE PENNY talks to Paul Burke about the latest Armand Gamache Three Pines novel, THE BLACK WOLF, the scary leap into publishing your work, Canada/US, Quebec, big picture/small picture, emotional safety, Virginia Wolff, Emily Carr, bringing history to life, setting up a cafe, Brussel sprouts. THE BLACK WOLF Several weeks ago, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec and his team uncovered and stopped a domestic terrorist attack in Montréal, arresting the person behind it. A man they called the Black Wolf.But their relief is short-lived. In a sickening turn of events, Gamache has realized that plot, as horrific as it was, was just the beginning. Perhaps even a deliberate misdirection. One he fell into. Something deeper and darker, more damaging, is planned. Did he in fact arrest the Black Wolf, or are they still out there? Armand is appalled to think his mistake has allowed their conspiracy to grow, to gather supporters. To spread lies, manufacture enemies, and feed hatred and division.Still recovering from wounds received in stopping the first attack, Armand is confined to the village of Three Pines, leading a covert investigation from there. He must be careful not to let the Black Wolf know he has recognized his mistake. In a quiet church basement, he and his senior agents Beauvoir and Lacoste, pore over what little evidence they have. Two notebooks. A few mysterious numbers on a tattered map of Québec. And a phrase repeated by the person they had called the Grey Wolf. A warning...In a dry and parched land where there is no water.Gamache and his small team of supporters realize that for the Black Wolf to have gotten this far, they must have powerful allies, in law enforcement, in industry, in organized crime, in the halls of government.From the apparent peace of his little village, Gamache finds himself playing a lethal game of cat and mouse with an invisible foe who is gathering forces and preparing to strike. Louise Penny is the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling author of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels. She has won numerous awards, including a CWA Dagger and the Agatha Award (five times) and was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. She lives in a small village south of Montréal. RECOMMENDS: Simon Winchester The Map That Changed the World, Lyse Doucet The Finest Hotel in Kabul, Maigret, WH Auden. Paul Burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime and is a regular contributor to online crime magazines, he is a CWA Gold Dagger judge and his first book An Encyclopedia of Spy Fiction wil be published in 2026. Produced by Junkyarddog Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ANN CLEEVES chats to Paul Burke and Aspects of Crime about her new Jimmy Perez novel, THE KILLING STONES, Orkney, island communities, Vera, TV, birdwatching and a Spanish Galleon THE KILLING STONES When a ferocious storm rages across the islands, it leaves behind more than just damage: it uncovers the body of Archie Stout, a popular, larger-than-life member of the community.The murder weapon? A Neolithic stone, bearing cryptic, ancient inscriptions.Now living in Orkney with his partner, Willow, and their young son, Perez is drawn into a case that is chillingly personal – Archie was a friend from his own childhood. And the island is full of familiar faces, all of whom are potential suspects in the killing.Perez must immerse himself in the lives of the islanders, separating truth from local legend before a desperate killer can strike again . . . and threaten the new life he's desperately trying to build. ANN CLEEVES is the bestselling author of 37 novels, she is a Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger winner, and the creator of Jimmy Perez and Vera, both seen on TV. recommended: Mick Herron Clown Town, Hayley Scrivenor, Chris Hammer, Jane Harper, Garry Disher, Careless People Sarah Wynn-Williams. produced by Junkyarddog Paul burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime, a regular contributor to crime fiction magazines and websites. He is a CWA Gold Dagger judge and his first book An Encyclopedia of Spy Fiction will be out next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LAURA LIPPMAN talks to Paul Burke about her new cosy crime novel, Murder Takes a Vacation, Mrs. Blossom, why this was the hardest book to write, Mick Herron, TV writing with Megan Abbott and getting to live a fantasy life. MURDER TAKES A VACATION Meet Mrs Blossom. . .A widow who has never left the US.A grandmother with a knack for blending in.A lottery winner with an unexpected fortune.Determined to finally see the world, she's starting with a cruise along the Seine.Just twenty-four hours into Mrs Blossom's trip, however, a man is dead, a precious artefact is missing, and a mysterious stranger is claiming her life is in danger. Surrounded by luxury food, quaint towns and people with staggeringly high net worth, she has no idea who she can trust.But maybe blending into the background has its perks - whoever is responsible will never see this most unlikely of detectives coming. Laura Lippman: Since her debut in 1997, New York Times bestseller Laura Lippman has been recognized as one of the most gifted and versatile crime novelists working today. Her series novels, stand-alones and short stories have all won major awards, including the Edgar and the Anthony, and her work is published in more than 20 countries. A former Baltimore Sun journalist, she has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, O, The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Glamour and Longreads. "Simply one of our best novelists, period," the Washington Post said upon the publication of the ground-breaking What the Dead Know. She lives in Baltimore and New Orleans with her family. Recommends: Mark Billingham What the Night Brings, Peacemaker (TV) Produced by Junkyarddog Paul Burke is editor of Aspects of Crime, a regular contributor to crime fiction magazines and websites and is a CWA Gold Dagger judge. his first book The Encyclopia of Spy Fiction will be published in 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices