The Poet's Game: writing a bestselling spy thriller, with Paul Vidich

In this episode, Antonia Senior dives deep into Paul Vidich’s gripping spy novel The Poet’s Game. We unpack the central theme of trust in espionage, the moral ambiguity faced by CIA agents, and how contemporary political tensions shape the narrative.
We also explore how Vidich portrays psychological depth, ideological conflict, and the literary influences that define modern spy fiction.

Topics Discussed:

• Trust and betrayal between handlers and assets

• The CIA director’s discovery of compromising material on the president

• How politics and ideology shape spy operations

• Psychological depth of characters like Alex Matthews

• The renaissance of spy fiction in today’s world

Perfect for fans of:
John le Carré • Charles Cummings David McCloskey • Political thrillers • CIA novels

00:00 – Introduction to *The Poet's Game*

04:00 – Trust and Relationships in Espionage

06:42 – The Complexity of Intelligence Work

10:00 – Moral Ambiguity in Spy Fiction

12:33 – Contemporary Setting and Political Context

15:33 – Character Development and Psychological Depth

18:04 – The Role of Ideology in Espionage

20:57 – The Poet’s Network and Literary Influences

24:06 – The Future of Alex Matthews

26:32 – The Renaissance of Spy Fiction

29:38 – Influences and Responsibilities of Spy Novelists

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