Terrance Layhew's Blog

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https://almakatsu.substack.com

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Published on September 26, 2026 23:00

With Alma Katsu and Incarnate

“Dorothy Wagner has spent her whole life wanting nothing more than to be seen. But after failing to make her mark as an influencer, she takes a job working for a brilliant coder whose company is focused on cutting-edge deepfake technology. And there, in secret, is where she creates her salvation.”

Alma Katsu joins the Podcast to talk about Incarnate, a horror story exploring the dark side of social media and deep fake technology. The conversation spans Katsu’s 35-year intelligence career, her research methodology, and her espionage centric fiction and much more!

Order Incarnate – https://a.co/d/0gtmJWrE

Pre Order Down in Flames – https://a.co/d/0a3ktPn1

Order my medieval swashbuckler, Thorn https://a.co/d/04i4kDUi

Order my crime adventure, Diamonds in Denver https://a.co/d/aHi7p9z

Order my 1920’s Aviator novella, Unwanted Passenger https://a.co/d/5FVQJWU

Order my pulp treasure hunt novel, One Man’s Treasure https://a.co/d/i19YMn7 Follow Alma

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https://leonardapa-author.weebly.com

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Published on September 19, 2026 23:00

With Leonard Apa and Introducing the Scarlet Scrapper

“Thomas Malloy has just witnessed the worst trauma a child can suffer. With nowhere to turn he seeks out the only man he feels can help him, The Scarlet Scrapper! The trouble is that Frank Hodge is no kind of hero, he just plays one on the radio. Hodge, a veteran who drinks too much, is dealing with his own inner demons.”

Leonard Apa joins the Podcast to talk about the creation, themes, and future of his debut novel, Introducing The Scarlet Scrapper, emphasizing a “literary noir” approach focused on character depth over simple action. He shares the influence of old-time radio serials and the mentorship of David Morrell, announces upcoming projects, and much more!

Order Introducing the Scarlet Scrapper – https://a.co/d/03SK9W2W

Pre-order Down in Flames: A Mitch Mayhew Story – https://a.co/d/04YeHTTU

Order my medieval swashbuckler, Thorn https://a.co/d/04i4kDUi

Order my crime adventure, Diamonds in Denver https://a.co/d/aHi7p9z

Order my 1920’s Aviator novella, Unwanted Passenger https://a.co/d/5FVQJWU

Order my pulp treasure hunt novel, One Man’s Treasure https://a.co/d/i19YMn7

Follow Leonard

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The Scarlet Scrapper Radio Plays – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbF_wSt_b-0&list=PLK4SHQY18JvwfY1X0DNUf69aS1LjW4wgU

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The post With Leonard Apa and Introducing the Scarlet Scrapper appeared first on Terrance Layhew.

https://www.instagram.com/piedmonticus

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Published on September 12, 2026 23:00

With Nathanael Hummel and Intrigue is My Assignment

“When Nate Colt finds out that one of his men is double-dealing weapons to a dangerous third party, he decides he’s going to get to the bottom of it. Before he can face the man down, he is confronted by a beautiful CIA operative. Under tense strain, Nate agrees to work as a contractor for the CIA to run to ground the identity of this third party and exactly what his plans are.”

Nathanael Hummel joined the podcast to discuss his new book Intrigue Is My Assignment, releasing the first week of September to coincide with Swashbuckling September. The conversation covered the book’s plot, character development, influences from pulp spy fiction, and future plans for the Nate Colt series.

Order Intrigue is My Assignment – https://a.co/d/0fXxmIzo

Order my medieval swashbuckler, Thorn https://a.co/d/04i4kDUi

Order my crime adventure, Diamonds in Denver https://a.co/d/aHi7p9z

Order my 1920’s Aviator novella, Unwanted Passenger https://a.co/d/5FVQJWU

Order my pulp treasure hunt novel, One Man’s Treasure https://a.co/d/i19YMn7 Follow Nathanael

https://veritasent.com

https://pulppipepoetry.substack.com

https://www.youtube.com/@MensAdventureFictionPodcast

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Published on September 05, 2026 23:00

A new James Bond? A review of King Zero

This is a spoiler free review where I will give overall impressions and thoughts, without explicitly revealing anything about the plot which isn’t in the marketing of King Zero.

“Is this a faithful version of James Bond?”

I suspect this is the question most James Bond fans will ask. The answer is yes, and no.

Literary Bond is my favorite version of James Bond. I say this because I think any faithful adaptation or continuation of Ian Fleming’s James Bond on the page is going to be a different version than the cinematic hero a reader or fan may expect.

With this in mind, I think Charlie Higson captures most of the image and attitude of Ian Fleming’s James Bond perfectly on the page. Continuing from his work on On His Majesty’s Secret Service, I feel like Higson’s Bond is best described as a disinterested observer. He’s not passive and maintains an active role in the plot, but it feels like there’s a world of distance between Bond’s attitude and the activity of the modern characters he encounters.

The best James Bond novels know they are not a standard thriller. King Zero manages to maintain a kinetic pace and larger than life plot. The scheme manages to be unique but similar at the same time. It has a video game like feel, where James Bond moves through “levels,” in the plot getting closer to the ultimate climax of the novel. This is how most books work, but I feel the mechanics in King Zero.

There’s plenty of globetrotting and exotic locations. Intriguing characters and gorgeous set pieces for the actions sequences.

The supporting cast was brilliantly written, with the MI6 characters creating some of my favorite moments in the story.

Some of the villains of the story are very unique and entertaining, while others are generic. As mentioned by Barbara Broccoli when describing the time it takes to create a Bond script, it is a challenge to create anything truly unique for James Bond to face. Within the scope of the books and films over the decades, James Bond has fought almost every permutation of adversary. That said, Higson still keeps it mostly fresh yet familiar.

The women of the book I think would be best represented as, “Bond Women,” instead of “Bond Girls.” The difference will either improve or distract from your reading experience depending on your preference.

Higson recognizes and handles the use of AI and a digital landscape deftly, both integrating it into the story and forcing the characters to use physical and tactile means to solve problems.

Summary

This is the first truly contemporary James Bond novel since 2011’s Carte Blanche by Jeffery Deaver, and the world has changed a lot in that time. I went into the book curious if a contemporary James Bond adventure could still work.

King Zero not only surpassed my expectations, it entertained my thoroughly. I read it in three nights, which may be the highest compliment I can give.

King Zero is a great addition to the James Bond novels. Charlie Higson understands how to write James Bond on a thrilling spy adventure, I hope this is the first of many James Bond adventures to come from him.

Thank you Ian Fleming Publications and Blackstone Publishing (the publishing partner in the US) for providing a copy of King Zero by Charlie Higson from NetGalley.

King Zero will be available in the UK on September 24th, 2026 and in the US on November 17th, 2026.

The post A new James Bond? A review of King Zero appeared first on Terrance Layhew.

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Published on August 30, 2026 11:46

With James R. Benn and The Ninth Circle

“To solve a double murder in Cuba, US Army Captain Billy Boyle will need to build unlikely alliances with Havana’s underworld and British intelligence, including Lieutenant Commander Ian Fleming, whose naval wartime service would later inspire the James Bond novels.”

Terrance Layhew interviews author James R. Benn about the 21st Billy Boyle WWII mystery novel, The Ninth Circle, set in Cuba. The conversation covers the research behind the book’s historical elements, the portrayal of Ian Fleming as a character, and the evolution of the series over 20+ years.

Order The Ninth Circle – https://a.co/d/0gcMIm2H

Order my medieval swashbuckler, Thorn https://a.co/d/04i4kDUi

Order my crime adventure, Diamonds in Denver https://a.co/d/aHi7p9z

Order my 1920’s Aviator novella, Unwanted Passenger https://a.co/d/5FVQJWU

Order my pulp treasure hunt novel, One Man’s Treasure https://a.co/d/i19YMn7

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https://authorwinteraustin.com

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Published on August 29, 2026 23:00

With Winter Austin and Bait the Devil

Winter Austin, an Iowa-based thriller author, discusses her Bounty of Shadows series — anchored by protagonist Dot Ybarra, a female bounty hunter with Basque heritage set in modern Idaho. The conversation covers the series’ origins, her publishing journey with Tule Publishing, craft philosophy around authentic voice and lean storytelling, and personal influences including family oral tradition and Western literature.

Order Bait the Devil – https://a.co/d/0eMBlMnu

Order my medieval swashbuckler, Thorn https://a.co/d/04i4kDUi

Order my crime adventure, Diamonds in Denver https://a.co/d/aHi7p9z

Order my 1920’s Aviator novella, Unwanted Passenger https://a.co/d/5FVQJWU

Order my pulp treasure hunt novel, One Man’s Treasure https://a.co/d/i19YMn7

Follow Winter

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The post With Winter Austin and Bait the Devil appeared first on Terrance Layhew.

https://www.instagram.com/agoodsqueeze

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Published on August 22, 2026 23:00

With Castle in The Sky and A Good Squeeze

Terrance Layhew hosted August and Margaux of A Good Squeeze to discuss Castle in the Sky (1986). This was Terrance’s first Studio Ghibli film; both guests consider it their all-time favorite movie and shared deeply personal connections to it. The conversation covered the film’s themes, influences, voice cast, score, and its broader place in Ghibli’s legacy.

Check out A Good Squeeze – https://open.spotify.com/show/6MWtf8W8NWVGDd10EldMAV?si=343de0802fda43ad

Order my medieval swashbuckler, Thorn https://a.co/d/04i4kDUi

Order my crime adventure, Diamonds in Denver https://a.co/d/aHi7p9z

Order my 1920’s Aviator novella, Unwanted Passenger https://a.co/d/5FVQJWU

Order my pulp treasure hunt novel, One Man’s Treasure https://a.co/d/i19YMn7 Follow A Good Squeeze:

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The post With Castle in The Sky and A Good Squeeze appeared first on Terrance Layhew.