Writer and critic Paul Burke interviews all the best writers on espionage. Each episode will bring you fascinating stories on spies, covert action and more - delving in to fact and fiction, past and present.
SpyMasters
Claim This Podcastby Paul Burke
4.9(16 reviews)
58 episodes
Updated Weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇬🇧
54
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality80
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement68
Podcast Overview
Writer and critic Paul Burke interviews all the best writers on espionage. Each episode will bring you fascinating stories on spies, covert action and more - delving in to fact and fiction, past and present.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/30/2024
Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report
See how your podcast performs across key metrics
54
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality80
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement68
7
Excellent Areas
3
Good Performance
9
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Episode Length
41 minutes
Performing excellently!
good
Publishing Consistency
Every 15 days
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
poor
Episode Thumbnails
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
+16 More Metrics
Unlock comprehensive insights including:
- • YouTube presence analysis
- • Social media reach metrics
- • RSS compliance scoring
- • Podcast 2.0 features
- • Technical standards
What's Included in Your Full Report
Detailed Analytics
- Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
- Personalized recommendations for each metric
- Industry benchmarks and comparisons
- Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring
Growth Strategies
- Step-by-step action plans for improvement
- Quick wins to boost your score immediately
- Pro tips from successful podcasters
Get your free podcast insights report
See how your show performs across every key metric
Instant delivery
No spam
Attract Better Guests
High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.
Secure Sponsorships
Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.
Grow Your Audience
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.
3 verified contact emails on file for SpyMasters
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
June 11, 2026
A Woman Called Edith by Daria Santini
Daria Santini talks to Spymasters about her biography of Edith Tudor Hart, A Woman Called Edith, the Cambridge Five, Arnold Deutsch, photography, working class lives, communism and spying. Edith Tudor Hart has long evaded biographers. A Jewish-Austrian exile in 1930s London, she was a talented professional photographer, anti-fascist activist—and Soviet secret agent.Daria Santini provides the first full biography of this elusive figure. She traces Tudor Hart’s life from her early years in the socialist intellectual circles of Vienna through her training at the Bauhaus to her work as a Soviet agent in Britain. Tudor Hart played a vital role in the Cambridge Spies network, including recruiting Kim Philby. Throughout her life, Tudor Hart was deeply committed to the ideals of communism. But despite being watched by the British Secret Service for decades, she was never caught and never confessed.In this moving account, Santini pieces together the story of Edith’s life, revealing a woman of great energy, determination, and creativity Daria Santini is an independent scholar and writer. She was lecturer in German language and literature at the University of Oxford for fifteen years and is the author of The Exiles: Actors, Artists and Writers Who Fled the Nazis for London. Edith Tudor Hart: In the Shadow of Tyranny (Duncan Forbes), Poverty for Sale. Edith Tudor Hart: A Steady Eye in Turbulent Times by Brigette and Kurt Kaindl. Paul Burke is the presenter of Spymasters. His first book SPIES ON SCREEN will be published in September. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 28, 2026
The Cormorant Hunt by Michael Idov
Michael Idov talks to Spymasters about his new novel THE CORMORANT HUNT, screenwriting, The Collaborators, Doug Lyman, geopolitics and the spy novel and walking back the cat. THE CORMORANT HUNT: Disheartened CIA officer Ari Falk, now hiding in the Republic of Georgia, is hailed as a hero by some and branded a traitor by others after blowing the lid off a massive conspiracy. But his quiet exile is shattered when a mission arises―one perfectly suited for someone as jaded and unpredictable as him.This stand-alone sequel thrusts us into a modern era of geopolitical conflict, where a hot war in Europe and shadowy political schemes set the stage for danger at every turn. Enter Asha Tamaskar, a brilliant, neurodivergent CIA officer with her own secrets, and Felix Burnham, a chilling antagonist with radical alliances that could change the global balance of power. From Tbilisi to Prague, Andorra to Bethesda, Idov crafts vivid, authentic settings that amplify the pulse-pounding action.Far from the usual spy thriller, The Cormorant Hunt is brimming with razor-sharp dialogue, heart-stopping twists, and complex character dynamics that bring humanity to the chaos. Every border crossed carries real-world consequences, making this a thriller that feels both urgent and unforgettable. Blending suspense, wit, and authentic storytelling, it’s a must-read for fans of political intrigue, espionage, and thrillers that don’t play by the rules. Paul Burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime and the presenter of Spymasters. His first book SPIES ON SCREEN will be published on 24th September. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 7, 2026
Master of Lies: How Anthony Blunt's Treachery Changed Our World
Piers Blofeld talks to Spymasters about his new book on Anthony Blunt, MASTER OF LIES, the greatest traitor, working for Churchill and Stalin, Operation Market Garden, a not-confession confession, enjoying the limelight of discovery. MASTER OF LIES: In a brilliant feat of literary detective work Master of Lies tells the extraordinary untold story of Anthony Blunt's life as a spy. Based on extensive research into newly released files he is revealed as not simply "the fourth man", but the most dangerous spy of the twentieth century.During the war, as the fate of the world hung in the balance, Blunt's intelligence was being fed straight on to the desks of Hitler, Stalin and Churchill. His hand was secretly guiding our collective fate and his treason led to the deaths of tens of thousands. He casts a shadow which looms large to this day.The official narrative is that Blunt was the least of the Cambridge spies - and yet he was the one who got away with it. While the rest drank themselves to death in dingy Moscow flats, Blunt revelled in his brilliant career as an art historian, Surveyor of the Queen's pictures and Knight of the Realm. He was protected not just by his many friendships with the great and the good, but by the brilliance with which he played the game - his was a secret too big to be told.Master of Lies reads like the best spy fiction but it solves one of the great espionage mysteries of our times. Piers Blofeld is a literary agent and, apart from a brief stint as a story consultant in the video games industry he has worked in publishing for the whole of his career. A regular commentator on the mysteries of the book business he has had his own column in Writing Magazine for the last five years. Born and bred in Norfolk, his surname made it all but inevitable he would nurture a fascination with supervillainy and spying. Master of Lies is his first book. Recommended Anthony Glees The Secrets of the Service Paul Burke is editor of Aspects of Crime. His first book Spies on Screen From Silent to Streaming will be published in September. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
58 total episodes available
Recent guests on SpyMasters
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Gordon Corera
Guest
Paul Vidich
Guest
Similar Podcasts
Discover related shows you might enjoy
The Rest Is Classified
Goalhanger
We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Goalhanger
Secrets and Spies - A Spy & Geopolitics Podcast
Secrets & Spies
The Rest Is History
Goalhanger
Cold War Conversations
Ian Sanders
Empire
Goalhanger
The Rest Is Politics
Goalhanger
Battleground
Goalhanger
The Rest Is Politics: US
Goalhanger
In Moscow's Shadows
Mark Galeotti
Kermode & Mayo’s Take
Sony Music Entertainment
Coffee House Shots
The Spectator
The Secrets of Statecraft
Hoover Institution
More or Less: Behind the Stats
BBC Radio 4
Deep-dive analytics for SpyMasters
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is SpyMasters?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 7 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.