M.P. Woodward recently announced a new three-book series, starting with The Attaché.

On the Ground in Istanbul

Woodward is currently on the ground in Istanbul, immersing himself in the local atmosphere, history, and architecture in order to bring the setting for The Attaché to life.

With his research trip in full swing, Woodward shared a glimpse of his travels, capturing the essence of this historic crossroads:

“Istanbul research trip – where Europe meets Asia at the Bosphorus. A collage of artifacts and sites from Greek, Roman/Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. Every great story begins with a place.” — M.P. Woodward

He also shared some stunning photos from the trip.

In one, Woodward and his wife pose in front of the historic Obelisk of Theodosius, an ancient Egyptian monument re-erected in the Roman-era Hippodrome, with the elegant minarets of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (the Blue Mosque) rising into the sky behind them.

Another photo showcases the breathtaking, gold-patterned vaulted ceilings and historical arches of Hagia Sophia, a legendary structure that has stood as a cathedral, mosque, and museum over the centuries.

This level of physical, boots-on-the-ground exploration is exactly what we expect from Woodward for The Attaché. As a former U.S. Naval Intelligence officer, he knows that to write a truly compelling thriller, the setting cannot simply be a backdrop; it must feel alive, heavy with history and atmosphere.

The Attaché: A Quick Refresher

As a quick reminder, The Attaché represents a fresh chapter for Woodward. The novel kicks off a new thriller series centered on an injured Marine who takes what he assumes will be a quiet, temporary desk job as a Naval attaché at the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul.

However, this is Istanbul, a city where no desk job remains simple, and his temporary assignment quickly plunges him into a complex, chaotic web of modern espionage and danger.

Istanbul: The Ultimate Playground for Espionage

There is a reason Woodward chose this legendary city for his new hero. Istanbul is uniquely suited for tales of shadow players, hidden alliances, and geopolitical tension.

Istanbul physically straddles two continents, divided by the Bosphorus Strait. This narrow waterway is the sole maritime exit for the Black Sea, making it one of the most critical geopolitical choke points on Earth. For thousands of years, whoever controlled this strait controlled the flow of trade, military power, and influence between East and West. This geographic reality served as the foundation for three massive historical eras: the Roman/Byzantine, Greek, and Ottoman empires.

Real-World Shadows: A Nest of Spies

During World War II and the early years of the Cold War, Turkey maintained a delicate, neutral stance. This neutrality transformed Istanbul into a bustling, chaotic haven for refugees, diplomats, and undercover operatives.

• The Pera Palace Hotel: This iconic luxury hotel, originally built to host passengers arriving on the Orient Express, became a notorious meeting place where Allied and Axis agents drank at the same bar and kept tabs on one another.
• The Volkov Affair: In September 1945, the city hosted one of the Cold War’s most dramatic near-misses. Konstantin Volkov, a Soviet NKVD officer stationed in Istanbul, approached the British Consulate offering to unmask key Soviet moles in London in exchange for asylum. The British diplomat tasked with handling the case was none other than Kim Philby, a Soviet double agent. Philby stalled the operation long enough for Moscow to intercept and extract Volkov, a grim reminder of how lethal the Istanbul diplomatic circuit could be.

Fictional Legends: The Literary Tradition

Because of this rich, murky history, the city has long been a favored playground for masters of spy fiction:

• Ian Fleming: In From Russia with Love, James Bond navigates a tense web of Soviet and British intelligence in Istanbul. Fleming memorably staged key moments inside the majestic galleries of Hagia Sophia and the eerie, column-filled waters of the Basilica Cistern.
• Eric Ambler: Often credited with inventing the modern political thriller, Ambler used the city to perfection in classics like A Coffin for Dimitrios, capturing the seedier side of pre-war European intrigue.
• Joseph Kanon: His novel Istanbul Passage expertly depicts the moral compromises of the immediate post-WWII era as an American businessman gets dragged into the emerging Cold War.

M.P. Woodward’s background in military intelligence makes him the perfect author to build on this grand literary heritage. By combining his first-hand operational knowledge with the deep historical weight of Istanbul, The Attaché is looking like an absolute must-read for thriller fans.