Former CIA analyst, David McCloskey, joins Simon and Matt to talk about his stunning spy novel, Damascus Station.

It's already one of Matt's books of the year - and has received great praise from across the spectrum.

David talks about his time in the CIA, tells us how much he had to take out of the first draft and why authenticity is so important.

Here comes the science bit...

A CIA officer and his recruit arrive in Damascus to hunt for a killer.

CIA case officer Sam Joseph is dispatched to Paris to recruit Syrian Palace official Mariam Haddad. The two fall into a forbidden relationship, which supercharges Haddad's recruitment and creates unspeakable danger when they enter Damascus to find the man responsible for the disappearance of an American spy.

But the cat and mouse chase for the killer soon leads to a trail of high-profile assassinations and the discovery of a dark secret at the heart of the Syrian regime, bringing the pair under the all-seeing eyes of Assad's spy catcher, Ali Hassan, and his brother Rustum, the head of the feared Republican Guard.

Set against the backdrop of a Syria pulsing with fear and rebellion, Damascus Station is a gripping thriller that offers a textured portrayal of espionage, love, loyalty, and betrayal in one of the most difficult CIA assignments on the planet.

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