Simon Mayo's Books Of The Year Ora Et Labora

Bestselling author and journalist, Andrew O'Hagan, joins Simon and Matt to discuss his latest novel, Calendonian Road.
They talk about the inspiration behind the book, the ever-changing landscape of British politics and pandemics and why it took a decade to write.
Andrew also gives us an insight into the creation of some of his characters, and tells us a great story about his time aboard a luxury yacht!
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Bestselling crime writer, Abir Mukherjee, discusses his favourite authors, books, and tells us about his writing processes.
He talks about working to deadlines (or not), how he orders his bookshelves and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party.
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Crime writer Abir Mukherjee joins Simon and Matt to discuss his new novel, Hunted.
Abir is known for his Wyndham and Banerjee series, set in 1920s India, however this book is his first stand alone.
They chat about the importance of writing something contemporary, the issues that he wanted to tackle and why it has taken so long to finish.

Here's a little more on Hunted:
IN A RACE AGAINST TIME, WHAT IF THE GREATEST THREAT WAS YOUR OWN CHILD?
It’s a week before the presidential elections when a bomb goes off in an LA shopping mall…
In London, armed police storm Heathrow Airport and arrest Sajid Khan. His daughter Aliyah entered the USA with the suicide bomber, and now she’s missing, potentially plotting another attack.
But then a mysterious woman called Carrie turns up at Sajid’s door after travelling halfway across the world. She claims Aliyah is with her son Greg, and she knows where they could be.
Back in the US, Agent Shreya Mistry is closing in on the two fugitives. But the more she investigates, the more she realises this case is far from as simple as it seems.
Hunted by the authorities, the two parents are thrown together in a race against time to find their kids before the FBI does and stop a catastrophe that will bring the world to its knees.
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Bestselling author and screenwriter, David Nicholls, chats to Simon and Matt about his writing processes, what he's reading at the moment and some of his favourite authors.
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A new David Nicholls books is always an exciting event, and his new novel, You Are Here, does not disappoint.
He joins Simon and Matt for a chat about the writing process, creating his characters, the latest adaptation of One Day and how he came to the music choices in this new novel.
They also discuss the influence and importance of the pandemic on stories, and how we will be talking (and writing) about it for many years to come.

Here's some more info on the book:
Marnie is stuck.
Stuck working alone in her London flat, stuck battling the long afternoons and a life that often feels like it's passing her by.

Michael is coming undone.
Reeling from his wife's departure, increasingly reclusive, taking himself on long, solitary walks across the moors and fells.

When a persistent mutual friend and some very English weather conspire to bring them together, Marnie and Michael suddenly find themselves alone on the most epic of walks and on the precipice of a new friendship.

But can they survive the journey?

A new love story by beloved bestseller David Nicholls, You Are Here is a novel of first encounters, second chances and finding the way home.
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Journalist and author Tom Burgis joins Simon and Matt for our bonus Q&A episode.
He talks about the authors he admires, the stories and scandals he wishes he had discovered, and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party.
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