The world is less beautiful now. www.thetimes.com/us/news-toda...

This weekend, London! Come join us!

Can't wait for this panel at Chiswick Book Festival in 2 weeks! We'll be talking spies, lies, and killers, and if that doesn't hook you in, I don't know what will. A few tickets are still available. Chiswick is one of my favourite festivals. Come join us! www.ticketsource.co.uk/chiswickbook...

Russia's been doing this for months now, but they're getting much more lazily obvious about it.

My fashion goals going forward are to be just half as glamorous and eccentric as Elisabeth McGovern's Tatler photos.

I say this as a lifelong writer and reader: I did not know about tortuous. Take my pens away.

A letter written by Greta Garbo in 1964. 'I can speak to no one.' 💔 Introverts everywhere would understand.

The house once shared by John Cassavetes and Gina Rowlands looks exactly as you'd think it would. Cool 1950's Hollywood. thespaces.com/an-artefact-...

The Queen of May, 1900, by Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh of the Glasgow School, who pushed the boundaries of Art Nouveau #WomensArt

I hope the man I spotted on the M3 30 minutes ago heading out of London singing and conducting an imaginary orchestra while also driving perfectly is one of you. We should all be this skilled.

Drove across the south of England to Cornwall this week - as did most of you it seemed, given the traffic - and I can report that everything is burned gold from the sun, and it's all quite beautiful. As evidence, this Somerset field of burnished amber.

Stella Rimington broke every glass ceiling she could swing a hammer at. She started working for the government as essentially a secretary in the 1960s, and later became a spy, and then a manager of spies, until she ended up running MI5. Rest in peace, true queen of spies.

This rain. This weather. My hair.

They're back filming the new season of House of the Dragon in the woods near my town, and everyone is genuinely delighted to have fun things to watch on dog walks again.

Discovered a typo in an email I wrote to a book festival and now everyone's trying to comfort me but I am desolate.

Stealing this pose from Muriel Spark circa 1968 for my new author photo. Possibly also stealing the dress.

I'm intrigued by how crime novels have always been marketed as much for the price as for the title or author. In this 1930s edition, the word 'Cheap' is nearly the same size font as 'Sayers'. Imagine that on a book of poetry. CHEAP YEATS.

This book is a stunner! 😍

Having just spent two extra days in Paris because of air traffic control strikes while on what was meant to be a very short visit, I can back this article up. Do pack extra clothes if travelling. You may not be able to get home.

This is your regular reminder that Russia has committed multiple violent attacks inside the UK, and is undoubtedly planning more.

Appropriate and accurate use of quotation marks in that headline.

Hey USA, I'm on sale! Get The Traitor for just 199 pennies. I do love that cover.

On a short flight. Two small children sit on the row in front of me and stare at the seat back in front of them. 'Don't tell me there are no screens!' one says with horror.

Readers do not want to be told what to think or feel. Readers need to want to turn the page otherwise all else is lost. Readers want to learn and feel, not feel scolded or patronised. Readers want to live in someone else's shoes so they can fit into theirs more easily. #writerstips #writerscommunity

FYI: When a group is proscribed as a terror group, the decision is based not only on what they have already done but also on what they are PLANNING to do. And following the money can be very interesting as well.

Just got on a train and the air conditioning was so cold I murmured with pleasure. I may never go home. Wherever this cool train goes is fine with me.

Heatwave news: I just went to the wine shop and bought nothing but ice. It's too hot for anything else.

At least once a day if not more often I imagine Hemingway or Salinger or Hammett or Dorothy Parker having to do modern author promo and in my mind it sounds just like this. www.facebook.com/reel/7546057...

This is genuinely the actual plot of the Apple TV series Tehran. Art and life are crossing lines. Iranian paramilitaries go on the hunt for Mossad agents - on.ft.com/4eeUBjj

Re Iran - Always in these situations, there is so much more going on than we know. Tectonic shifts are underway. The most interesting part is the countries that are not objecting to the attack. Very interesting indeed.

Today is a good day to just sit in your toy box and have a think.

Today is Lillian Hellman's birthday. Best friend of Dorothy Parker, mortal enemy to Mary McCarthy, longtime partner to Dashiell Hammett – love her or hate her, the woman could write. I keep a battered copy of her memoir, 'An Unfinished Woman', always – it's a master class in narrative memoir.

The plot of Alias Emma begins with Emma undercover inside a group of left-wing activists to ascertain whether or not they know they're being funded by Russia. Meanwhile, in real life: www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...

I'm so intrigued to see what Blaise Metreweli does as head of MI6. Thanks so much to @skynewsrss.bsky.social for having me on tonight to discuss the new C!

This article is so fascinating for those wishing to understand MI6 and female spies.

This is such interesting news on multiple fronts. First, that MI6 has finally caught up with MI5 in having female leaders and also that now we know who Q was for the last few years! Plenty to be read into MI6 choosing a tech expert as their new leader as well. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

London, all I'm saying - ALL I'm saying - is that this event on Friday is going to be quite something, and I would really try and be there if I were you. Charles, Nick, and Vaseem are all fascinating, and I'm, well, me. Expect secrets. www.capitalcrime.org/tickets/p/yo...

This is very like the plot of the Apple TV series Tehran. If you haven't watched it yet, I recommend. It's one of the most realistic espionage TV series out there, and very illuminating on the Iran/Israel dynamic.

London, all I'm saying - ALL I'm saying - is that this event on Friday is going to be quite something, and I would really try and be there if I were you. Charles, Nick, and Vaseem are all fascinating, and I'm, well, me. Expect secrets. www.capitalcrime.org/tickets/p/yo...

One of the best things about Posting is you never know what obscure preoccupations your followers have. There will be a guy who has followed you for years and never said anything but then one day you disparage applesauce and he activates like a sleeper agent and dedicates his life to destroying you

Isobelle Ouzman carves intricate 3D illustrations into discarded books found in dumpsters, recycling bins, and local thrift shops #WomensArt

Back at the BBC today to talk spies on Woman's Hour! It's always genuinely exciting to be on the Beeb. And the gorgeous art deco lobby is open again after a refurb. What a morning!

Hello Blue Sky! Tune in to Woman's Hour on Radio 4 tomorrow, to hear me talk about what it takes to be a female spy. All killer no filler, as the kids say.

The world would thank us.

Headed to London at the crack of dawn today to review the papers on BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House. Tim Montgomerie and Siân Berry are both wonderful to share a microphone with, proving that the political divide is not a solid wall. @sianberry.bsky.social

Raise your hand if you also forgot you were reviewing the papers this weekend on BBC Radio 4. Nobody? Just me then. Well, do listen in to BH on Sunday morning because I will (now) be there as promised, with all my papers and thoughts!

I cannot get over how beautiful the weather is in England right now. It's rare and perfect.

God save the king. #StratforduponAvon

How have I never been to Marylebone Station before? It's adorable! So tiny, and the trains seem only to go to towns with sweet names like Princes Risborough, Chalford, Harrow on Hill.

Heading north this weekend to the Stratford-Upon-Avon Literary Festival to chat with Stig Abell about how we ground our plots in reality. I'm passionate about this and I know he is, too, so it's bound to be an interesting discussion. Tickets via the events page linked in my bio.