Christopher Brookmyre, a guide to Thomas Pynchon, and a New Biography of Arthur Ransome

Christopher Brookmyre, best known for his satirical crime novels, joins Muriel Gray to talk about Pandaemonium, his first excursion into horror. He explains why this tale of a group of children beset by demons real and imagined explores his fascination with the relationship between science and religion.

As the reclusive American author Thomas Pynchon publishes his seventh novel, John Freeman offers a reader's guide to the work of this cult figure.

Muriel talks to Catherine Neilan of the Bookseller about the zombies currently invading classic fiction, in what seems to be publishing's latest fad.

And a new biography of Arthur Ransome, the children's writer responsible for Swallows and Amazons, looks at the years he spent in Russia working as a journalist and for the intelligence services. Roland Chambers joins Muriel to discuss Ransome's secret life as a spy.