Simon Mayo's Books of the Year

Francis Spufford joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his new novel, 'Nonesuch'. They talk about his fascination with The Blitz, his inspirations for the fantasmical parts of the story and how he melded two genres together.
They also discuss craft, research, bending history - and the finished manuscript sitting on his computer which he isn't allowed to publish until 2034.
Here's a little more about the novel:
It's the summer of 1939. London is on the brink of catastrophic war. Iris Hawkins, an ambitious young woman in the stuffy world of City finance, has a chance encounter with Geoff, a technical whizz at the BBC's nascent television unit.
What was supposed to be one night of abandon draws her instead into an adventure of otherworldly pursuit - into a reality where time bends, spirits can be summoned, and history hangs by a thread. Soon there are Nazi planes overhead. But Iris has more to contend with than the terrors of the Blitz. Over the rooftops of burning London, in the twisted passages between past and present, a fascist fanatic is travelling with a gun in her hand.
And only Iris can stop her from altering the course of history forever.

International bestselling crime writer, Kathy Reichs, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about her latest Temperance Brennan novel.
They discuss taxidermy (Simon makes makes his feelings known!), forensic pathology, autopsies, animals, the origins of evil and what Kathy has learnt after writing and publishing so many books.
Here's a little more info on Kathy's latest novel, 'Evil Bones':

Small animals have been turning up throughout Charlotte, North Carolina, mutilated and displayed in the same bizarre manner. Now it seems the perp is upping the ante. When Temperance Brennan visits the latest crime scene, she finds that the victim is a dog. Somebody’s pet.

Vowing to find whoever is responsible, Tempe is disturbed to learn from a forensic psychologist that the escalating pattern of aggression suggests even more macabre discoveries to come. And then it happens. A woman is found disfigured and posed in a manner that mimics the earlier killings. As Tempe follows the horrifying clues to a shocking conclusion, she finds herself forced to confront an increasingly terrifying question.

Bestselling author, Jennifer Niven, joins Simon and Matt to talk about the authors she admires, her writing process and the job she would have liked to do if she wasn't an author.
Simon and Matt also surprise Jennifer with a question from bestselling author Jennie Godfrey...

Jennifer Niven (bestselling author of 'All The Bright Places' joins Simon and Matt for a natter about her first adult fiction novel.
'Meet The Newmans' is about a famous American TV family in the 1960s - and their subsequent unravelling! Jennifer chats about her inspirations for the novel and why she decided to turn to writing for adults (after a huge career as a YA author). They also discuss TV culture from the 60s, the present day reality shows - and - America (then and now)

Bestselling crime author, Ann Cleeves, answers questions about her writing processes and some of her favourite authors and books.
Simon and Matt also surprise her with a question from Steph McGovern - and - find out who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party.