Vampirism is time travel.   It’s also tragedy and freedom and Queerness, and sex and death.   We talk about all of these thing... more

The third Let Us Palaver minisode (though this one is not so mini) – in which Nat and I reflect... more

We’re finally on the path of The Beam.   The Dark Tower Readalong reaches the land of wonder and ruination, in Book... more

John Connolly is, in my opinion, the greatest living writer working in the overlap of crime and horror. His long-running... more

It’s a week of sadness and hilarity on Talking Scared.   The happy stuff comes courtesy of Sarah Pinborough, author of Weird... more

Talking Scared goes live!   In April I was invited to chair a conversation between Michelle Paver and Ally Wilkes at the... more

Send in the clowns!   In this Off Book episode I talk to Eli Craig, director of cult-classic Tucker and Dale vs... more

Let’s get grim and dark with Lord Grimdark!   Perhaps the greatest benefit of having a book podcast like mine is the... more

Brian Keene has written so many damn books! …and I had never read any of them.   This absolute horror faux-pas (and my... more

I’ve been looking forward to releasing this one…   Nat Cassidy comes to Talk Scared about When the Wolf Comes Home, his... more

Back to the 80s this week for one of the most singular horror movies of the year – now streaming... more

In the week that the world changed, we’re talking about the last time things got this crazy.   Katherine Arden is the... more

This week we go from Edinburgh, Scotland to Nashville, Tennessee, in the company of crime author Tariq Ashkanani.   Tariq’s The Midnight... more

Time to throw ourselves around. We’re covering Punk Goes Horror.   The anthology of stories inspired by punk and alternative rock songs... more

The second Let Us Palaver minisode – in which Nat Cassidy dig into the things we couldn't say about... more

The Ka-tet picks up exactly where we left off: on the beaches of Midworld, with Roland Deschain. (If none of... more

It’s always great when Stephen Graham Jones comes to Talk Scared with us – but for once we aren’t talking... more

Saddle up for a weird west week on Talking Scared. The start of a loose trilogy of sorts.   This first instalment... more

No one is doing dystopia right now like Agustina Bazterrica.   After Tender is the Flesh made us all consider vegetarianism, now... more

The latest Off Book episode has me facing my demons. My guest is Scott Derrickson, one of the best horror movie... more

Ready to hear a conversation about some devastatingly dark things?   Sophie White and I have got you covered!   In this expansive chat,... more

The title speaks volumes this week. It’s a mission statement.   Kirsty Logan is the master of certain kind of edgy, on-the-margins... more

Time to misbehave.   Virginia Feito’s new novel, Victorian Psycho, is all about good behaviour, positive standards and polite conduct…and what happens... more

Are you hungry?   Depending on your…erm… tastes, the next hour of conversation will do strange things to your appetite. Our guest... more

Here is the first Let Us Palaver minisode – in which Nat Cassidy and I kick Chris off the call,... more

“The man in black fled across the desert, and the podcaster followed…”   Welcome to the start of what is sure to... more

The latest Off Book episode takes you out to the American desert and leaves you there, cold, alone and confused. We’re... more

Tyranny is the key this week on Talking Scared this week. How fitting.   Susan Barker’s Old Soul is a globe-trotting, decade-spanning... more

It’s a collegial week on Talking Scared. ‘Cos I’m talking dark, occult academia with someone very local to me.   Kate van... more

Welcome back and Happy New Year. 2025 looms ahead. Frightening. Uncertain. Crazy!!   Our first guest of the year has written the... more

Send us a text How else to end 2024 than with an entirely subjective list of the best things I’ve read... more

Send us a text It’s that time of year again. When I celebrate the winter solstice by getting some horror authors... more

Send us a text … and we’re back! Just in time for this seasonal tradition. The State of the Horror Nation... more

Send us a text This is the last way-back episode before the show returns with a scream next week.   But this is... more

Send us a text A chance to revisit one of my favourite books and favourite ever conversations this week.   Zakiya Dalila Harris’s... more

Send us a text I’m feeling Gothic this week. Must be the weather.  In lieu of a new episode, I searched the... more

Send us a text This From the Vault episode is not quite so dusty. Gemma and I recorded this in 2022,... more

Send us a text Still on a break – still releasing episodes “From the Vault.”   But this week’s was carefully chosen. In... more

Send us a text I’m on a break – but couldn’t resist releasing something.    Especially on today of all days, when lovers... more

Send us a text Halloween has finally arrived. I’m marking it in grim, macabre style.   For this Off Book Samhain Special, I’m... more

Send us a text Things are heating up as we approach Halloween.   I’m joined by a good friend of Talking Scared –... more

Send us a text As we gear up for Halloween, we get all gussied up in Gothic.   Del Sandeen joins me to... more

Send us a text Things get disinhibited on Talking Scared this week, when CJ Leede joins us for a conversation about... more

Send us a text Hold hands, we need to stick together.   This week’s episode plunges us into the impossible and endless dark,... more

Send us a text I started Off Book so that I could speak to some of the brightest dark stars in... more

Send us a text Release your inner child!    …I mean through reading, not by letting it burst out of your stomach like... more

Send us a text More devilish fun on Talking Scared this week when an old friend returns to talk about god,... more

Send us a text Keith Rosson is our first guest to be personally recommended by Stephen King!    And the praise doesn’t stop... more

Send us a text Laird Barron is on the podcast. This feels like cause for celebration.    Not only is Laird Barron a... more

Send us a text Are you a Weenie? Don’t be offended. I am.    Weenies are the curious-but-nervous. Those of us who love... more

Send us a text Anna Bogutskaya is one of the UK’s most prominent film critics, with a penchant for horror. She... more

Send us a text Send in the clowns. Tell them not to forget their crossbows and chainsaws.   This week our guest is... more

Send us a text Literary or genre fiction? Dumb question.   This week’s guest showcases just how dumb! With her debut collection of... more

Send us a text This week’s guest on Talking Scared: Off Book scares children.   I mean… that’s not his main job or... more

Send us a text Finally, Gabino Iglesias is on the show.    I tried, and failed, to get him for his break-out Stoker-winning... more

Send us a text Remember those books you read in the summer when you were young? Kids fighting evil in their... more

Send us a text Why is Adam Nevill so scary?    I don’t know. Do you? He’s a nice guy – as you’ll... more

Send us a text Part One was epic. Part Two is just as good. In that way, it’s much better than... more

Send us a text What’s your favourite Stephen King story? Everyone has one.   Hot off the back of the recent interview with... more

Send us a text Stephen King is back!   What other intro do you need?   Okay, fine. He talks to me about the stories... more