Book Off!

Authors Heidi Amsinck and Marisa Haetzman go head to head in a war of the words, just before their appearance at Bloody Scotland.

Heidi discusses her latest Jensen thriller, 'The Girl in The Photo' and her love for Denmark.

Marisa tells us about collaborating with her husband, Chris Brookmyre (writing as Ambrose Parry) and their new book, 'Voices Of The Dead'

They also tell us what they have been reading and enjoying recently.

THE BOOK OFF

Mayflies by Andrew O'Hagan

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The Elements Of Style by William Strunk Jr and EB White

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Comedian and author Adam Kay goes head to head in the Book Off with punk poet John Cooper Clarke.

David Sedaris' "Holidays On Ice" goes up against "Dolce Vita Confidential" by Shawn Levy, but who will win?

They also discuss the joys of milkmen, Italian cinema and how punk it is to not have a mobile phone.

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It's a children's book special this week!

Former Children's Laureate, Cressida Cowell, goes head to head with broadcaster and author Dermot O'Leary.

They chat about their latest novels, their passion for getting books into children's hands, a love of history - and - world building!

THE BOOK OFF

'The Power Of The Dog' by Don Winslow

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'The Joy Luck Club' by Amy Tan

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Emilia Hart and Bridget Collins join Joe Haddow for a pretty fun and chaotic Book Off!

They chat about their brilliant new novels and give us some great book recommendations too. They also talk about the importance of author mates, accidental deleted manuscripts and some scary scary creepy scenes too.

Joe had a glass of wine at lunch before the recording - and then had a negroni thrust in his hands at the studio - so he was quite 'loose' for this one! (enjoy)

THE BOOK OFF

'The Eagle Of The Ninth' by Rosemary Sutcliff

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'A God In Ruins' by Kate Atkinson

If you're a fan of our podcast, please do spread the word to fellow book lovers. And, remember you can follow us on Instagram / Threads / Blue Sky and X (but maybe not for much longer)

And here are the book blurbs for our guests' latest novels:

'The Silence Factory' by Bridget Collins

A glittering edifice, raw and shining. Great lengths of supple silk, rolled onto bales. And the closer you get, the more it whispers...

In the Factory, the looms never stop weaving. Cobwebs transported from ancient Mediterranean glades are spun into a precious fabric that silences the world.

But what happens to those who fall under its spell? And who is harnessing its power?

After all, a world of silence can bring peace, but it can also conceal the deeds of the wicked...

The Silence Factory is an enthralling story about complicity, desire and corruption – a novel to lose yourself in.

'The Sirens' by Emilia Hart 

Sisters separated by centuries. Voices that can't be drowned out. Lucy is running from what she’s done – and what someone did to her.

There’s only one person who might understand: her sister Jess. But when Lucy arrives at her sister’s desolate cliff-top house, Jess is gone.

Lucy is now alone, in a strange town steeped in rumour. Stories of men disappearing without a trace. A foundling discovered in a sea-swept cave. And women’s voices murmuring on the waves...

As Lucy searches for her sister, those voices get ever louder. They tell of two sisters, two centuries ago, bound and transported across the world. A world where men always get their way. A world that is at once distant, and achingly familiar. Are these voices luring Lucy closer to her sister? Or will the secrets of the past pull them both under?

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International bestselling authors, Jodi Picoult and Jojo Moyes are good friends, but have never met in person! Here they go head to head in a war of the words, from different sides of the world.

They discuss their new books, the turmoil of writing in lockdown, escapism, open spaces, horses, being political through commercial fiction and how writers help other writers.

Jodi and Jojo also recommend some books they have been reading and enjoying recently.

In the Book Off, "The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue" by V.E. Schwab goes up against "National Velvet" by Enid Bagnold, but which one will win?

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