Justin’s Newsletter: March 2026
Vol. 6, Issue 3
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What’s Up With Me
I was interviewed for a documentary about the Eaton Fire, “Going for Home,” by Academy Award-winning director Eric Simonson, which will be screening at the Pasadena International Film Festival in April.
Watch the latest episode of “Well Read with Justin Chapman.” This episode features my deep dive into the six “Danger Man/Secret Agent” novels that were a tie-in to the classic 1960s TV spy show starring Patrick McGoohan as John Drake. Based on my article for Spybrary.com.
We broke ground on our house rebuild on Concha Street! It’s a new day in Altadena.
Watch Pasadena Media’s video about my recent WAVE video award here.
Around Town
Great Reads
Here are some recommendations for interesting books I’ve read recently:
Karla’s Choice—Nick Harkaway
John le Carré’s son, Nick Harkaway, took up his dad’s mantle and wrote this excellent George Smiley continuation novel in 2024. His follow-up novel, The Taper Man, is coming out later this year. I’m a big fan of continuation novels, but le Carré’s style must be one of the hardest acts to follow. Harkaway does a great job of matching his dad’s literary voice. It feels like a le Carré book, and takes place between the events of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, filling in some gaps we didn’t even realize were there. I’m looking forward to his next Smiley book.
Hurricane Room—Kim Sherwood
The third volume in Kim Sherwood’s 007 trilogy is the best one yet. Readers of the first two books (Double or Nothing and A Spy Like Me) complained that there was little to no James Bond in them, but this one’s got plenty of Bond. It’s a fun read throughout, and feels like she was just hitting her stride. In other Bond literary news, Ian Fleming Publications just announced today that Charlie Higson’s brand new Bond continuation novel, King Zero, will come out this September. Higson did an excellent job writing five Young Bond novels and the Bond novella, On His Majesty’s Secret Service. Can’t wait for his new one.
Spotlight on My Past Stories
Since I recently attended the 10th anniversary of the Bombay Beach Biennale in the desert, check out my first story about the renegade art and philosophy festival in Culture Honey Magazine a few years ago. Stay tuned for my follow up article.
And read all of my journalism here.