In this episode, all six of the Red Hot Chilli Writers return for a special Christmas episode to discuss how Asians do Christmas, our best books and TV series of the year, what we're looking forward to in 2021, and a truly toe-curling rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas.
In this episode we interview CWA Diamond Dagger winning Martin Edwards and discuss the resurgence of Golden Age Crime Fiction, talk Great Christmas Novels, and debate the Great Craisin Controversy
In this episode we interview Ragnar Jónasson, Icelandic crime fiction superstar, run a fun facts quiz about Iceland, and discuss political chicanery depicted on screen
In this episode we speak to prolific non-fiction author Dan Smith, discuss a political scandal from the sixties, discover how to tame a lion, and offer a quiz tribute to the late Sean Connery.
In this episode we speak to C.J. Tudor, author of creepy thrillers in the vein of Stephen King, discuss the seminal film 'In the Heat of the Night', and present a quiz based on the greatest ever movie quotes
In this episode we talk to Antonia Hodgson, bestselling author of the Tom Hawkins Georgian-era crime novels, learn about whisky investing, and examine the relationship between authors and alcohol.
In this episode we speak to Lucy Foley, author bestsellers The Hunting Party and The Guest List; chat to David Headley co-owner of the world's finest first-editions bookshop, Goldsboro Books, and speak to Ayisha Malik about her new book 'This Green and Pleasant Land'
In this episode we take a look at the music biz. We chat to rock legend Aziz Ibrahim, guitarist with the Stone Roses, and Amanny Mohamed, BBC radio broadcaster. We also list our favourite songs, with some revealing back stories. Finally, we meet Farhana Shaikh, organiser of the Home by 10 festival
In this episode we celebrate great historical fiction and discuss classics of the genre such as Waverley, Wolf Hall, & Shogun. We also speak to Tracy Fenton, owner and organiser of one of the biggest book clubs on Facebook.
In this episode we interview literary and crime writer Sanjida Kay, discuss some truly awful writing including William S. Burroughs' NAKED LUNCH and the world's worst poet, and present techniques on how to safely catch and release bees.
In this episode we discuss festivals, the good, the bad and the plain weird. We also have a special segment from the world's biggest crime festival, Theakston Old Peculier at Harrogate, where we interviewed four brilliant crime authors: Mark Edwards, Susi Holliday, Claire McGowan, and Dreda Say Mitchell.
In this episode we interview lawyer-turned crime writer Gillian McAllister, discuss sexual assault in fiction, take a look back at Jodie Foster in The Accused, put Nabokov's masterwork Lolita on trial, and review of TV show The Luminaries, based on the Booker-winning novel.
In this episode we talk to three-million selling psychological noir author Mark Edwards, discuss the art of writing great screenplays including such seminal works as Casablanca, The Usual Suspects and Seven, and profile screenwriter Trumbo and the Hollywood anti-communist blacklist .
In this episode we speak to historical crime writer Imogen Robertson, discuss some more civil rights books, reveal some fun facts about Martin Luther King Jnr, and talk about diversity in Young Adult fiction including the wildly successful Ember in the Ashes series.
In this episode we interview CWA Gold Dagger winner Mike Craven, discuss the George Floyd race protests, and reflect on books about race, and then look at some facts about the civil rights movement that you didn't know.
In this episode we interview multi-talented thriller writer Antony Johnston, take a look at fiction featuring mental illness, put Sigmund Freud on trial, and examine the history of antidepressants.
In this episode we talk to crime writer Mary Paulson-Ellis, discuss books with dual timeline narratives, find out about Ramadan and Hemingway's take on writing while hungry, and bid farewell to two Bollywood greats, Irfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor.
In this episode we interview Stephanie Scott, author of Tokyo-set crime novel What's Left of Me is Yours, we chat about books featuring long walks, put John Lennon on trial, and chat to Alex Hawley, blogger and one of the organisers of an online bookfest.
In this episode we speak to publisher and senior editor at Hodder Ruth Tross, take a look at alternate history fiction, and also at books that foretold the future.
In this episode we interview cabin-in-the-woods lumberjack and crime writer Will Dean, discuss post-apocalyptic pandemic fiction, and dish out tips for surviving working at home.
In this episode we interview Kia Abdullah, author legal thriller TAKE IT BACK, discuss some of the greatest ever political thrillers, and dissect the life of John le Carre. Oh, we also look at turmeric - the cure for all ills.
In this episode we speak to crime thriller writer, barrister and former boxer Tony Kent, discuss the broken legal system and the phenomenon of virtue signalling, and put democracy on trial.
In this episode we talk to west London crime author Amer Anwar, and examine diversity initiatives, including diversity in publishing generally, in film, and in romance novels. A serious look at a very serious issue!
In this episode we talk to Onjali Rauf, author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, take a look at popular children's fiction from around the world, find out how to make a 15-minute short film, and discuss the unique words that Lewis Carroll gave to the English language.
In this episode we examine the tropes of gothic horror fiction, announce the winner of Vaseem’s greatest ever female pioneer competition, talk to one of the country’s top crime fiction critics, Barry Forshaw, put Bram Stoker’s Dracula on trial, and revisit one of his lesser known descendants: Count Duckula.
In this episode we talk about New Year's resolutions - common ones and weird ones, Ayisha tells us about whacky New Year's customs from around the world, we interview award-winning literary novelist Natasha Pulley, and we talk to Amit about his inability to use the phrase 'deus ex machina'
In this special Christmas episode we discuss how British Asians approach Christmas, put Christmas movies on trial, interview crime writer Dorothy Koomson, and chat about 2019's high and low points, including some of the most talked about stories of the year.
In this episode we talk to Nikesh Shukla on writing and rap battles, Vaseem introduces his next novel, Midnight at Malabar House, as well as a competition to get your name on a character in the book, Mum takes on Alex over the best Bollywood movies in recent years, and we discuss literary themes with Dorothy Koomson and Ayisha Malik.
In this episode Abir tells us about his new book Death in the East, we talk about literary classics set in Asia, including Shogun and A Suitable Boy, chat to author Luan Goldie, put Brownface on trial, and reveal the secrets to writing and pitching a new TV series.
In this episode we interview Chris Whitaker, author of small-town American noir, talk about Introverts v Extroverts, and review "Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking" by Susan Cain, and also take a look at how Bollywood movies are now big business in China.
