Bestsellers

Cate Quinn precedes her brand new novel by telling us: "This is the first book I've written sober." From her brilliant mind comes THE CLINIC - a novel about a high end rehab center with dark secrets inside. It's told from the perspective of Meg, a casino security guard, who thinks her sister has died in the rehab and Cara, who's poached to run the centre. It's terrific.

In this Episode, Cate tells Phil and Natalie about utilising her own experiences in rehab for this novel; why the people that run rehabs are way scarier to Cate than the addicts in treatment and why she's a World Champion at Thumb Wars...!

If you enjoy this Ep, please rate, review and subscribe. It'll help us up the charts. And you can donate to keep us going via: https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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Two writers for the (free) price of one, as author Charmaine Wilkerson talks about adapting her book, Black Cake, into a TV series with show runner Marissa Jo Cerar. It's a thriller and a family drama, straddling the past and the present, and yep, the black cake of the title - a Caribbean rum cake - features heavily too! Charmaine and Marissa talk about the key things to think about, and get right, when changing it up for 8 episodes for Disney Plus.

Thank you so much for listening and if you'd like to buy Nat and Phil a metaphorical cuppa to help support the production costs you totally can!

https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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If you're new to SA Cosby's writing, have a listen to what to expect from All The Sinners Bleed, and then race to get the book at your local library or book store! It's that good. This is a thriller, a southern noir, about the first Black sheriff to preside in a small southern town, investigating a murder. But that's the tip of the iceberg... SA Cosby writes with such lyricism and empathy about this community, both Natalie and Phil found the story irresistible, and hope you do too.

If you're able to support the production of this series by buying Phil and Nat a metaphorical cuppa you can do so here - new website coming soon, with full back catalogue of episodes and all the author recommendations to inspire even more reading:

https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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For our first Ep of 2024, Natalie and Phil speak to Screenwriter turned Novelist, TERRY HAYES. You may've read I Am Pilgrim: It sold over five million copies. But the realisation of a dream for the Mad Max writer to become a published author took it's toll. Over a decade followed before Terry was able to deliver his second novel.

In this hugely entertaining episode Terry talks about delivering a million words to his publisher; why his love of cricket inspired one of the characters in this book and the BEST story of a Hollywood party involving Jim Carrey riding a camel in Beverly Hills, EVER....!

Once you've heard this and if you want to discover more about the book's ending, then check out the additional SPOILERS Ep, BUT DON'T LISTEN TO THAT BEFORE YOU'VE READ THE BOOK! That one contains spoilers. This one does not: It's perfectly safe!

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We all need a Danyah Miller in our lives - that's the conclusion after spending an hour in her company which is why Phil and Natalie are thrilled to introduce you to her debut book. It's fiction and non-fiction in one neat package - Seven Secrets of Spontaneous Storytelling - stuffed with helpful ways to navigate how we share stories and the connections we make in telling them. Danyah's lived many creative lives already in many guises, and shares how vital graphic novels have been to her reading life. She also *may* have inspired a certain Bubble character on Ab Fab... With added Whizzer & Chips comics appreciation if you stick around to the end as well...

We love to hear from you and are grateful for any production support - so if you are in a position to buy us a metaphorical cuppa to say thanks, you can do so here!

https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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It's the 2023 edition of Phil and Natalie's books of the year! These are the stories they've enjoyed reading the most over the year, simple as that; the books that have been un-put-downable, the ones that made them smile, or gasp, or want to share with you. It's a mix of thrillers, dramas, comedies, and hopefully some surprises to inspire your reading lists as well!

There are lots more episodes to come, but in the meantime, if you are in a position to offer some support towards the production costs then you can buy a metaphorical cuppa here:

https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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On the 7th October 2023, Phil and Natalie recorded their first EVER live Episode at the first EVER Chiltern Kills Crime Festival. Chiltern Kills was created by ace crime writer, Tony Kent, with all proceeds going to the homeless charity, Centrepoint.

Sharing the stage with Phil & Natalie are:

IMRAN MAHMOOD

MARK BILLINGHAM

TONY KENT

CLARE MACKINTOSH

In this live recording, they discuss everything from writing series versus stand alones; the peril of the end Acknowledgements and whether crime writers would in fact make good criminals. We had a lot of fun at Chiltern Kills and can't wait for it to return next year.

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We're back, BABY!

And who better to ring in Season 5 of BestSellers than MICHAEL CONNELLY - the multi award winning writer and creator of the Harry Bosch, Lincoln Lawyer, Renée Ballard series of books. Michael is back with book 38: Resurrection Walk. A brilliant new Lincoln Lawyer story in which Mickey Haller must overturn a wrongful conviction, but in doing so he faces the opposite of the usual legal maxim, innocent till proven guilty.

Michael tells Phil and Natalie how becoming a lawyer was way closer to happening for him, than becoming a cop; the challenges of keeping a series fresh and where he's at with his enormous TV roster which includes Bosch Legacy for Amazon and Lincoln Lawyer for Netflix. He spoke to us, shortly before returning to the TV writers' room.

https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast if you want to support us in keeping this podcast going. Thank You.

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Steve Cavanagh is King of the Hook. His previous taglines include, "The serial killer isn't on trial. He's ON THE JURY," and, "His client is innocent. His wife is guilty." His brand new ninth novel is a stand alone called, "Kill for Me Kill for You." It pays homage to Strangers on a Train and explores what would happen if two strangers meet by chance and agree to murder the other one's nemesis, leaving no clues to a likely suspect as to all intents and purposes it appears to be a random killing.

Steve's famed for his twisty thrillers which keep you guessing right till the end. And in this episode he also confirms to Phil & Natalie when his much loved recurring conman Eddie Flynn will return to the written page and an exclusive preview of what the next Flynn book is about.

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You know we love books, but do you also have that pile just waiting to be read, always?! The TBR pile can be a glorious thing, a teetering stack of books, full of ideas and stories that made us pick them, awaiting our full attention when the mood is right. Phil & Natalie run through their summer TBR stacks - 3 each - in the hope that a story will jump out at you and demand to be added to your pile. Happy reading!

If you enjoy this podcast, you can buy us a metaphorical cuppa here and tell us what's on your TBR pile!

https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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It's publication day for Clare Mackintosh: A return visitor to the BestSellers Podcast. Clare's second book in her Ffion Morgan Detective series is called A Game of Lies. It centres around a fictional reality TV show called Exposure, where contestants have to battle to keep their inner secrets, secret, whilst exposing the secrets of their fellow competitors. When one of the contestants disappears into the North Wales countryside mid-show, Ffion is called in to work out if a crime has been committed and by whom.

In this episode we talk about Reality TV; How Clare was nearly the lead copper on Channel 4's Hunted and Natalie boldly suggests Clare might want to increase her HRT. It's all here...!

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Holiday reads covered! And even if you're not headed away, Nat and Phil have got 5 suggestions for books to metaphorically whisk you away. There's a book about mental fitness, fictional rich people behaving badly in a whodunnit, and a fascinating debut about language and identity from Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi. Plus in praise of Caitlin Moran's writing and Julie Cohen's lusty summer romantic drama, aptly named Summer People. Hope you find something to love, and there will be more recs coming soon!

Pass on your reading recs too on ko-fi and if you're able to support this podcast with a metaphorical cuppa then that would be lovely too:

https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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The brilliant Comedy Dramatist Mike Gayle returns to BestSellers. This time to tell us about his brand new nineteenth book on what is our nineteenth consecutive Episode of this season. Spooky, eh...?

The book isn't spooky. It's Mike's best yet about a newly separated teacher, Helen, whose husband has not only had the mid life affair but decides to take his new girlfriend on the family holiday Helen should've been on with their children. Whilst she stews at home, the doorbell rings and out of the blue is Ben, a boyfriend from 25 years ago who's now a world famous rock star with his own problems to run from.

Phil & Natalie talk to Mike about how he creates characters that you want to root for; his 25th anniversary as a published author and Natalie puts Mike on the Psychiatrist's Chair....!

If you love it, feel free to buy us a metaphorical brew at: https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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The world truly took notice of Kirstin Chen's writing with her third book, Counterfeit, which was picked up and included on influential lists by Reese Witherspoon and Roxanne Gay. A thrilling crime story centre around friendship, prejudice, and a counterfeit handbag operation, Kirstin's book hooks you in from the get-go. Based in San Francisco, Kirstin explains how a real life crime sparked this novel into life, why it became key to exploring racial injustices, and how writing and finishing a book can be success enough.

If you've enjoyed this conversation please share it and tell your friends! You can also support the author by buying their book, and support Nat and Phil to make more Bestsellers podcasts by buying them a metaphorical cuppa here:

https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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Daisy Upton is a Rock Star in the BestSellers Household. You'll know her better as Five Minute Mum, a former classroom assistant who's 5 min easy to set up games for kids, have come to the rescue of many an arguing home, and earned her over 250,000 Instagram followers.

Her latest book is her first targeted at children rather than parents: STARTING SCHOOL walks your child through what to expect in their first few days in a brand new environment and is packed with useful tips for children and parents alike.

In this episode Daisy explains where her five minute mum concept came from; how she's now judged by other parents and where her further writing ambitions lie.

We also talk Cocktails and Natalie mentions The Spirits substack by Richard Godwin, which she promised we'd link to in this synopsis, plus listen right to the end for Phil's story of a cocktail experience which ended in flames...!

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Way back in Episode 6 of Series 4, Cecilia's debut novel, Everything's Fine, was recommended to all of us by Curtis Sittenfeld. So we took her up on that rec, read Cecilia's book and totally fell in love with the story and her whip-smart writing style too. And lo, as if by magic, now we get to talk to Cecilia Rabess all about how she achieved that! It's a romantic comedy of errors if you like, about two people from different backgrounds with very different ideals, who meet and try to navigate their way through love.

Hope you love this one as much as we did! And if you are in a position to support the podcast, well that would be just fine and dandy too. Metaphorical coffees can be bought for Bestsellers, which we'll channel back into making these, just head to Ko-fi:

https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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Hollywood knows a good thing when it reads it, and TJ Newman is a very good thing whose two novels are currently in the works to become movies. Her second thriller, Drowning, once again draws on her flight expertise from a decade spent as cabin crew and it is the perfect summer, or anytime-of-year read. Proper page-turning stuff. As ever, you never quite know where these conversations might go with us, but come on the ride that'll take in some musical theatre (YES! says Natalie), love of the film Titanic, disaster epics and how 41 rejections can be spun into gold!

We loved this conversation with TJ and while Phil and Natalie await their own publishing dreams to be realized, if you're in a position to buy a metaphorical cuppa to show your support, thank you!

https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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What can we say about Dennis Lehane..? He's written some of the best novels of all time which people like Clint Eastwood and Martin Scorsese have seized upon for the big screen. Think MYSTIC RIVER or SHUTTER ISLAND. He was a staff writer on The Wire. He's now a major show runner for Apple TV+ with the likes of Blackbird and the upcoming Firebug, both starring Taron Egerton.

Dennis is back with his fourteenth novel SMALL MERCIES - and it's easily Phil's book of 2023. It's set amidst the School Bussing Riots in Boston of 1974 and tells the story of a hard as nails woman called Mary Pat Hennessy who's trying to find out why her daughter hasn't returned home, the same night that a black teenager is murdered in a racially motivated attack.

This is a rare opportunity to hear one of the 21st century's best story tellers talk about how he does his job; why he can't stand ego on Set and how this book poured out of him whilst he was having a nightmare shooting Blackbird...!

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Mark Billingham has done it all. He's been an actor, a stand up, a TV screenwriter and a multi award winning crime writer. He's back with his first brand new series in 20 years, with Detective Miller: He dances, he keeps pet rats and he's very sardonic. THE LAST DANCE is a departure from Billingham's award winning Tom Thorne series, with a change of tone that brings rich humour to the whodunnit genre.

Phil & Natalie love Mark's books and chatting to him. This interview is searingly honest about the pain of writing for TV; the pressures of book deadlines and if you've ever wondered where the phrase, 'blowing smoke up your arse,' comes from, Mark will tell you.

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Yep, THE Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles fame chats to Phil and Natalie about her debut fiction novel, This Bird Has Flown. Susanna explains how she started writing fiction in the '80s at the peak of her her pop fame, and has always read voraciously from childhood. She's written screenplays before now but after one of her sons questioned if she'd ever write that book she'd talked about for so many years, she thought she'd better get on with it. This is not the ghost-written celebrity project you may be thinking, this is all Susanna, writing from experience and her fun and passion is right there in the book for all to enjoy!

You can support this podcast by buying a cuppa here:

https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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It's Joanne Harris on today's Ep. She's such a magnificent writer, held in high esteem by everyone in publishing. Her new book, BROKEN LIGHT, chronicles the life of Bernie: A menopausal woman who appears to have a superpower to change people's thinking and behaviours. There's a nod to Stephen King's Carrie in here, it's a great twisty thriller which also opens the eyes to some of the male attitudes around menopause and menstruation.

This episode contains Blood...!

Phil and Natalie both love Joanne and her work. You'll love this episode too, we're sure of that.

If you enjoy it, and would like to buy us both a coffee, then you can do so here: https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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Looking for your next read? Then take a listen as it's Natalie's turn to share with Phil the books she's loved recently, in the hope that you'll find something to love too! Various genres are covered, from fiction to fantasy to food!

If you want to get ahead and know what's coming up, or want to look these up afterwards, here's Nat's latest reads:

Rebecca F Kuang 'Yellowface'

Nikki May 'Wahala'

Taffy Brodesser-Akner 'Fleishman is in Trouble' (and the TV adaption on Disney+ in the UK)

Taylor Jenkins Reid 'Daisy Jones & The Six' (and the TV adaptation on Amazon Prime)

Grace Curtis 'Frontier'

Toshikazu Kawaguchi 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold' (translated by Geoffrey Trousselot)

Nigella Lawson 'Cook, Eat, Repeat'

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So many good books to share! This week Phil takes us through what he's been reading to inspire your next read. From thrillers to autobiography to one of the biggest debuts of recent times. Plus Kazuo Ishiguro shares why he loves working in mainstream popular culture, a writing legend after our own hearts!

If you want to know the books discussed ahead of time - or look them up after listening - Phil's been reading:

Bono 'Surrender'

Harlan Coben 'I Will Find You'

Don Winslow 'City of Dreams'

Dennis Lehane 'Small Mercies'

Prince Harry 'Spare'

Bonnie Garmus 'Lessons in Chemistry'

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Andy Nyman & Jeremy Dyson are the team behind GHOST STORIES. They met as teenagers and bonded over their shared love of magic which is the subject of their first collab novel. Andy is a magician in his own right and frequently works with Derren Brown; Jeremy is a founding member of The League of Gentlemen and has co-written on Killing Eve.

This book has already triggered an eight way auction for screen rights. It's fantastic and in this hugely uplifting episode you'll hear them both discuss magic, the power of the collaboration and why some of the world's brightest brains are also fine purveyors of magic tricks.

It's a real treat, this. And if you like it and can spare us a coffee, we'd love it if you bought us one via: Ko-Fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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Jason Rekulak is a hugely talented story teller. He's only written two books: An Impossible Fortress and the new novel, Hidden Pictures, where he's combined with two illustrators, to bring to life pictures a five year old in the story is drawing.

He's gone from writing a coming of age comedy to a psychological thriller which Stephen King says is, "A one of a kind thriller. You won't put it down."

Phil & Natalie hope he'll one day say the same about this podcast!

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A treat of an episode! Curtis Sittenfeld is the author who's given us Rodham, Prep, American Wife, and now this new beaut of a book, Romantic Comedy. Come for the book chat but stay for how you go about disguising comedy TV gold Saturday Night Live in a story, and meeting Jay-Z on his private jet. Hope you love this one as much we do!

If you do enjoy these chats, we'll keep making them, and if you're in a position to be able to support Bestsellers, we'll never turn down a coffee, metaphorical or otherwise... https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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It's our second ever returning guest as Jojo Moyes talks us through a year of big life changes, and a wonderful new book, Someone Else's Shoes. Always surprising in her writing, this latest novel takes on female friendship, divorce, and incredible sandwiches. And we love a good sandwich.

Like what we do? Support is always welcomed! https://ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

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After a longer than planned absence due to Phillness, Natalie and Phil are back with more blockbuster books and award winning authors. This episode features the magnificent Cariad Lloyd whose own Podcast, Griefcast, is excellent on tackling Death and Bereavement. Her book follows on from the pod. It's called You Are Not Alone and in this episode we discuss death, dying, losing loved ones, what to say when someone tells you they're bereaved and why we don't seem very good still about talking about grief, coming to terms with grief and why we look for an elusive end to grief which we may not find.

If you like what you hear and you'd love to support us to keep this podcast going, you can buy us a euphemistic coffee via ko-fi.com/bestsellerspodcast

Thank You For Your Support

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Ever wondered what *really* happens to allow those Hollywood parties we've heard about, to actually happen?

And who's potentially to blame for the unforgivable behaviour that's allowed to carry on regardless?

In her book Complicit, Winnie M Li zooms out on the swirl of people surrounding a fictional person about to be felled by the #MeToo movement, and makes us question the actions, however small, that enable some appalling behaviour.

You can buy Winnie M Li - Complicit here. We earn a commission on all purchases made through this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complicit-Winnie-M-Li/dp/1398705063/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1671631967&sr=8-1

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BestSellers is back, baby!

In this brand new season opener, Natalie and Phil talk to ace American thriller writer Scott Turow. Scott shot to fame in the 90s with Presumed Innocent which was turned into a Hollywood Blockbuster starring Harrison Ford. It's just about to be re-worked into an Apple TV show, with David E Kelley writing the episodes. We talk about that and we talk about Scott's incredible longevity, alongside his brand new thriller: SUSPECT, which gives a vehicle to lawyer Sandy Stern's granddaughter. It's a brilliant stand alone thriller and Scott talks candidly about the challenges for him of writing a female lead several decades younger than he is.

You can buy Scott Turow - Suspect here. We earn a commission on all purchases made through this link: https://amzn.to/3Vafb9C

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Episode 2 of Season 4 sees Phil & Natalie delve into one of Nat's favourite subjects: Cook Books.

But BreadSong is way more than just a cook book.

It tells the truly extraordinary story of teenager Kitty Tait's complete mental health breakdown and why baking offered not just a route out of the bleakness, but it created a brand new career path for both Kitty and her father Al. It's a gloriously uplifting story accompanied by some amazing bread recipes which have transformed the lives of this father daughter pairing.

You can buy breadsong here: https://amzn.to/3W0iKQB We earn a commission on all purchases through this link

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Anthony Horowitz is the first returning author to Bestsellers. Both Phil & Natalie are huge fans of Anthony's and his latest Hawthorne thriller, A Line to Kill, is loads of fun and quite excellent.

In this episode Anthony talks about how he constructs his whodunnits with notebooks alongside the manuscript; he talks about his latest and third James Bond original story due out next year and he admits to being caught turning his books cover out in Waterstones, Bath...!

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This is a very special Episode of Bestsellers.

Firstly - It was recorded very late at night because our guest Robinne Lee is in California.

Secondly - A drink may have been taken.

Thirdly - It contains what is, to date, the best reading from a book we've ever had on the show. This is in part due to the fact that Robinne is an actor, you may've seen in Hitch or the Fifty Shades franchise. The Idea of You is her debut novel all about a soon to be forty mum of one, who takes her teen daughter to a boyband gig, only to find that at the meet & greet after the show, one of the British boy band members hits on Solene, the mother.

Its funny, sexual, heart warming and heart breaking. We love this book.

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In Episode 7, we meet the brilliant Steve Cavanagh: Former civil rights lawyer turned million selling crime writer. The Devil's Advocate is the latest in his Eddie Flynn Series, in which Eddie has the seemingly impossible task of acquitting a young black boy of murder, in a deeply racist town where the district attorney delights in sending people to the death chamber, regardless of their innocence.

We also find out about Natalie's broken nose. You've been warned.

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What's not to love about the writing of Taylor Jenkins Reid? She had us long before Daisy Jones & The Six with her dreamy depictions of the drama of life and we both happily settled in for the 80s surfer celebrity vibe she created for her latest, Malibu Rising. So much to unpick with Taylor, from how much real life gets blended into her stories, the TV adaptations that are imminent, how confident she feels now in her writing and the unexpected complications of the recurring character of Mick Riva. We hope you love this chat as much as we did and that these continue to inspire to read something new! Let us know, email us [email protected]

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Episode 2 is all about the very funny and humble Andy Weir. Why do you know that name..? Because he wrote and brought you The Martian, which was turned into a Hollywood blockbuster starring Matt Damon, directed by Ridley Scott and he's now back with a new story called Project Hail Mary, where one astronaut has to save planet earth.

Find out how Andy makes the science fit the fiction and how he got his Ryans mixed up, whilst on the phone to Gosling, but calling him Reynolds...!

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Iiiiiiiiiiits Christmas. 2020. One of the shittest years on record. But throughout this difficult year there have been some amazing books.In this seasonal special, Phil & Natalie offer you their five books of the year each. With enough time to still go and buy one of them for you or for a loved one, we hope this will inspire you in some way to find solace and peace in a book.

Thank you for listening to season one of BestSellers. We'll be back in 2021 with Season 2.

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SEASON FINALE: Robert Harris

In the last episode of Season 1, Phil & Natalie talk to international bestseller Robert Harris. V2 tells the story of the rockets the Nazis built at the very end of the second world war, through the eyes of one of the rocket scientists who really only wanted to send rockets to space and a woman photo analyst for the WAAF.

Hear Robert talk about writing this in lockdown; his family of writers, including Nick Hornby and how they all read each other's books and how this story from the end of WWII very much resonates with today's strange times.

Robert Harris is a true best seller and a great way to conclude S1.

You can buy the book here: https://amzn.to/318Y6n3 We benefit from qualifying purchases.

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Lee Lawrence was an eleven year old boy in 1985, when armed police burst into the family home looking for his brother. He wasn't there. They shot his mum, Cherry Groce, and that shooting sparked the Brixton riots, or as Lee prefers to call them, the Brixton Uprising. She survived the shooting but died from her injuries many years later. In this episode of Bestsellers, Lee tells Phil & Natalie of his thirty year struggle for justice; the constant negotiating with the Met Police to read an internal report about what happened and how witnessing your Mum being shot by the very people you're taught will protect you, shaped his adult life ahead.

You can buy The Louder I Will Sing here https://amzn.to/3l3wrLO We benefit from qualifying purchases

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This. Is. Special. Lee Child and his official biographer Heather Martin join Phil & Natalie to discuss Heather's new book of Lee's life: The Reacher Guy. It's an extraordinarily candid interview, so much so, we felt compelled to split it into two parts. Listen out for Lee's view of the Booker Prize and how he's set his bullshit detector on it; the truth about Tom Cruise and those Reacher films, and the time Lee became Reacher and beat up a Frat boy racially abusing a taxi driver.

You can buy Heather's incredible biography of one of the greatest EVER crime writers here: https://amzn.to/3mtWpJR We benefit from qualifying purchases.

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This. Is. Special. Lee Child and his official biographer Heather Martin join Phil & Natalie to discuss Heather's new book of Lee's life: The Reacher Guy. It's an extraordinarily candid interview, so much so, we felt compelled to split it into two parts. Listen out for Lee's view of the Booker Prize and how he's set his bullshit detector on it; the truth about Tom Cruise and those Reacher films, and the time Lee became Reacher and beat up a Frat boy racially abusing a taxi driver.

You can buy Heather's incredible biography of one of the greatest EVER crime writers here: https://amzn.to/3mtWpJR We benefit from qualifying purchases.

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For Episode 18, Phil & Natalie speak with former Anti-Social Behaviour Officer, Stand Up Comic turned writer, Nick Pettigrew. His new memoir tells the story of a calendar year in his old job with the council, whilst his stress levels and medication rise per chapter. He encounters a naked Nazi Paedophile, human excrement and someone who consistently smells dope in their block of flats, when none can be found. Frankie Boyle loves this book. And so do we.

You can buy Anti-Social here: https://amzn.to/3h6H0vn

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Episode 17 is a BestSellers CookBook special in which Natalie finally proves to Phil that she's not the only person in the world who reads cook books cover to cover, in the same way she reads fiction/non-fiction.

The brilliant Rukmini Iyer has perfected one roasting tin recipes: Minimal input for maximum taste return and much less washing up! Rukmini tells Phil & Natalie how she plots her recipe books out, like thriller writers do; how she also reads cook books cover to cover and she explains why scientifically, Coriander tastes like soap to some people.

You can buy Rukmini's book here: https://amzn.to/3h04nXy We benefit from qualifying purchases.

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The brilliant Lisa Jewell joins us on this week's Bestsellers. Lisa is an incredible thriller writer. Her latest is set in London and is about misfits, mystery and a missing girl.

Lisa tells Phil and Natalie about writing in lockdown; about her high propensity for violence and how she knows where to draw the line in her books and how she's still typing away on two fingers!

You can buy Invisible Girl here: https://amzn.to/3ljOXR2 We benefit from qualifying purchases.

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Episode 15: It's only Anthony Horowitz. One of Phil & Natalie's favourite writers. He's written authorised original stories for the Sherlock Holmes and James Bond estates; He brought Alex Rider back earlier in the year in NightShade, and has now produced another book within a book story for Moonflower Murders, the magnificent follow up to Magpie Murders.

Here Anthony talks about how he crafts such complex whodunnits and reveals he has a brand new James Bond idea, should the Fleming Estate choose to sanction another original 007 story.

He's a joy is Anthony Horowitz. Enjoy him here and revel in how amazing this book is.

You can buy Moonflower Murders here: https://amzn.to/3hdetFk We benefit from qualifying purchases.

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Despite this being Episode 14, it was recorded at the very beginning of lockdown just as Tony was recovering from Covid 19. Power Play is his third novel and utilises Tony's professional background as a working Barrister. He tells Phil & Natalie about recovering from Coronavirus, writing in lockdown and about his background as a Boxer...'He could've been a contender.' Tony was the first ever episode we recorded and for this we will always be grateful to the Boxing Barrister.

You can buy Power Play here: https://amzn.to/3kGqC7P We benefit from qualifying purchases.

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Kevin Kwan is a sheer delight. Phil & Natalie recorded this episode quite late at night because Kevin is in LA, and his energy and enthusiasm is infectious. Sex and Vanity is his new novel and first since Crazy Rich Asians lit up cinema screens across the world. He talks about that success; breaking the glass ceiling for asian actors; his new book and how he made books for Elizabeth Taylor.

You can buy Sex & Vanity here: https://amzn.to/39WRV93 We benefit from qualifying purchases

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Mike Gayle cheers up the nation! He writes feel good fiction on contemporary issues and his new book is no exception. In this week's BestSellers he talks to Phil & Natalie about his 84 year old hero in this book, Hubert, and loneliness, racism and why he thinks women make friends easier than men.

All The Lonely People is both heart wrenching and warm & fuzzy and will also make you laugh, as will Mike in this episode.

You can buy the book here: https://amzn.to/2P2GdA3 We benefit from qualifying purchases.

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In Episode 11, Phil & Natalie welcome the incredible Jojo Moyes. With over 40 million books sold, the creator of Lou Clark and the Me Before You series returns with a brand new stand alone story based on the women librarians who used to deliver books in the late 20's early 30s to rural homes in Kentucky. The female librarians on horseback were the idea of Eleanor Roosevelt, who was keen that detached communities could learn and still had access to books.

Jojo talks about the research she did for this story, staying in the most remote part of Kentucky with only fireflies for company. She also talks about writing in lockdown and why Lou Clark returned one last time for a FREE short story recently.

You can purchase The Giver of Stars here: https://amzn.to/2WG1weG We benefit from qualifying purchases.

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Dorothy Koomson is Britain's Biggest Selling Black Female Writer - A title she's proud of. All My Lies are True is a long awaited sequel to The Ice Cream Girls and in this week's episode, Phil & Natalie talk to Dorothy about why now for a sequel; the importance of paying for books and why she's adamant there won't be an Ice Cream Girls 3....For now!

You can buy All My Lies are True here: https://amzn.to/2Wmyroq We profit from qualifying purchases.

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Phil & Natalie talk to the best selling writer of the Flat Share, Beth O'Leary about her new comedy drama, The Switch. Beth reveals a big Hollywood star signed on to work on a major adaptation of her debut; how The Switch was her 'difficult second album,' and how it took adulthood before she realised she was funny and could write comedy.

If you want to buy The Switch you can do it here: https://amzn.to/2ZbiyDi

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Lara Prescott was told by a literary agent nobody was interested in a story about Russia. Yet her debut novel - The Secrets We Kept - sold for a $2 million dollar advance. In Episode 8 of BestSellers, she tells Phil & Natalie how she quit life in Washington and politics, to fulfil her dream to become a writer and discusses this fictional imagining of what it was like for Boris Pasternak to write Dr Zhivago. This novel is way more than a spy thriller. Read it before it hits the screens.

You can buy the book here: https://amzn.to/3eWmHQY We earn from qualifying purchases.

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Sir Richard Henriques QC defended and prosecuted 106 murder trials in equal measure before becoming a Judge, both in the High Court and Court of Appeal. In this extraordinary episode of BestSellers, he tells Phil and Natalie about prosecuting the ten year old boys who callously murdered James Bulger; prosecuting Britain's most prolific serial killer, Dr Harold Shipman; hearing the trial of the Met Police for shooting dead the innocent Jean Charles de Menezes and was invited to investigate the botched Operation Midland in which Police accused several high profile public figures of being part of a Westminster paedophile ring that never existed.

He talks about this incredible legal career and his concerns now for the British judicial system which has a record backlog of cases, and fewer sitting courts. This is a must listen. It's not a memoir, but a catalogue of some of the biggest criminal cases in British history.

WARNING: Contains detail about some trials that some people may find upsetting.

If you want to buy this book you can click here: https://amzn.to/2BDW4RW As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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In Episode Six, Phil & Natalie welcome to BestSellers, Christy Lefteri. The Beekeeper of Aleppo has already been an International No.1 Best Seller and details the struggle that Nuri and his wife Afra endure as they evacuate war torn Syria and seek to join Nuri's cousin who's already made it to safety in the United Kingdom. The bees also play a special role in this heartwarming story of hope over adversity and you can hear Christy explain how she interviewed those seeking Asylum for this fictional tale; how she met a beekeeper and was surrounded by bees, with no protective kit on, as part of the research for this story, and how this book is a tribute to her own family who moved to London in the 70s, to escape a threat to their lives.

If you'd like to buy The Beekeeper of Aleppo then click here: https://amzn.to/3hGYK22 As Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases.

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This week, Phil & Natalie speak with the wonderful Lauren Wilkinson, whose debut novel American Spy was a smash hit in the States and a Barack Obama Reading List pick. Lauren joins BestSellers from New York and talks about how this book was seven years in the making; how she's now writing for TV as a result of the success of this novel and a sneak peek at what book number two will be about. Plus she reassures Natalie about how long her own edits are taking on her debut novel.

*We recorded this interview before the death of George Floyd, which is why it's not discussed with Lauren. So when we ask her how New York is, we are still referring to the Covid19 lockdown situation and not the protests that followed George Floyd's death.*

If you'd like to buy Lauren's amazing debut, American Spy, then click here: https://amzn.to/30sipwk We earn from qualifying purchases.

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Phil & Natalie meet former Special Forces operative and now star of Channel 4's smash hit show, SAS Who Dares Wins. Ollie is now on his second book, BATTLE READY, which takes the skills he learned in the SAS and applies them to everyday mental wellbeing. Ollie's first encounter with danger was as a ten year old when a Chimp ripped him apart in a Fairground. He talks to Phil & Natalie about only processing that trauma in the last twelve months, as well as a failed marriage, reliance on booze and depression. Plus he takes part in his own SAS Who Dares Wins style interrogation with Phil & Nat!

Ollie is Battle Ready. Are you?

If you wish to buy Ollie's book, click here: https://amzn.to/2U7dXPr As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Phil & Natalie talk to David Nicholls, the author of the Best Seller One Day, about his brand new paperback, Sweet Sorrow. The gorgeous tale of a boy who's just finished his GCSE's in the summer of 1997, and doesn't know what he wants to do with his life...except find love. Its heartwarming, full of hope and very funny. Phil & Natalie adored this book and in this chat with David you'll hear him talk about the influence the band Pulp had on this story; how the book compares to his teenage summers or not! And why he loathes Wuthering Heights and the Bad Sex Awards.

You can buy Sweet Sorrow in paperback here: https://amzn.to/2ZHg4NF As Amazon Affiliates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Phil & Natalie speak to one of British fiction's most prolific and award winning writers. Lynda has created Prime Suspect, Trial & Retribution, Widows and is one of only three screenwriters to have been made an honorary fellow of the British Film Institute. In this episode Lynda explains how cataract left her having to dictate this book entirely, because she couldn't type; how her earlier spin off deals were worthless to her and an extraordinary story about how one of Britain's most notorious prisoners, Charles Bronson, helped her to write a prison siege scene.

You can buy Buried here: https://amzn.to/2X6rDvY As Amazon Associates, we earn from any qualifying purchases.

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In Episode 1, Phil & Natalie talk exclusively to crime writer Michael Connelly. He's sold over 74 million books and is best known for his Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer series. Hear him reveal how for the first time since University, he found himself unable to write in lockdown for five weeks; why the Lincoln Lawyer TV series was axed on the eve of filming and how he'd love Amazon to sign it, so it sits along Bosch for TV.

This is his only UK broadcast interview to promote his new book FAIR WARNING which you can buy here https://amzn.to/3enVJB1

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Phil Williams and Natalie Jamieson tell you about their brand new Podcast, launching Thursday 28th May. Bestsellers focuses on the books you would read on the beach, on the bus or in bed. That's if we weren't all still locked down. It's big selling unashamedly mainstream books. Phil and Nat will talk to one writer per Ep, they'll cover fiction, non fiction, cookery books, kids books, poetry. It's all here.

Ep 1 - Michael Connelly EXCLUSIVE. Coming Thursday May 28th.

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