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Unpacking M.P. Woodward’s Latest Newsletter: The Attaché Mystery Solved

M.P. Woodward kneeling in the Egyptian sands.

M.P. Woodward’s recent research activities have sparked plenty of curiosity—not least here at The Campus Files. Recent photos shared by Woodward on X hinted at research for his upcoming novel The Attaché. But as his trip progressed it was less clear whether it was all for The Attaché.

He first visited Istanbul and then Alexandria, the latter raising the question as to whether he was venturing further afield than Istanbul for The Attaché or for a new Ryanverse novel.

The Attaché: M.P. Woodward shares two photos from his Istanbul research trip

From Istanbul to Alexandria: M.P. Woodward’s Egypt Research Trip Sparks Intense Thriller Speculation

In his latest newsletter, Woodward provides more details about his research trip and finally settles the debate.

Be sure to sign-up for Woodward’s newsletter.

Woodward stated that the first book of The Attaché three-book series is heading into production, possibly indicating at an earlier, rather than later, 2027 publication date.

Woodward reveals in his newsletter that the protagonist in The Attaché is called Jackson Mayne. Likely a nod to Paddy Mayne, one of the original members of the SAS. I have it on good authority that Woodward has been watching SAS Rogue Heroes. Paddy Mayne was the primary focus in the most recent and second season of the show.

Woodward goes on to provide quite the insight into the background of his protagonist, Jackson Mayne.

Jackson Mayne, is a classical historian who left academia for the military, preferring to make history rather than teach it. He’s now a Marine captain turned reluctant naval attaché in Istanbul—a soldier, diplomat, and intelligence officer moving through the shadow world where history, power, money, and loyalty collide. Given his background, Mayne can’t help but pay attention to the past. He knows that today’s intelligence gray wars are often driven by the same ambitions, grievances, and rivalries that shaped empires centuries ago. — M.P. Woodward

The research trip was Woodward’s attempt to get deep into Mayne’s head. Woodward and his wife, Stacia, took the path of Alexander the Great, with Woodward noting it was one of history’s most remarkable journeys.

We crossed the Hellespont into Turkey, then traveled south to Egypt, where Alexander founded Alexandria and linked his legacy to one of the world’s oldest civilizations. From there, continuing along Alexander’s route, we journeyed through the desert to Siwa, a Saharan oasis near the Libyan border. It was among Siwa’s palm groves and natural springs that Alexander consulted the famed oracle whose pronouncements helped secure his position as both conqueror and pharaoh. More than two thousand years later, his influence can still be felt across the region. — M.P. Woodward

The Attaché seems set to draw on all of this history, with Woodward noting that Jackson Mayne is both drawn to it and the type of man that ends up contributing to the historical record.

Describing the journey as very humbling, Woodward makes an astute observation:

While we are bombarded with a nonstop info-feed on our phones, looking around at the various landscapes made me think that we’re not quite as modern as we think we are. We inherit more than we invent. We walk through the ruins of older ambitions while their consequences continue to shape borders, wars, alliances, and the stories we tell about who we are. — M.P. Woodward

Quite honestly, The Attaché sounds like it is shaping up to be the hottest read of 2027. Jackson Mayne sounds like he has the military background to make individual action scenes very compelling but we also know that Woodward is a master at writing bigger geopolitical plots. With the sort of espionage we saw in his Handler series, plus the deeper historical angle Jackson Mayne is going to bring, I can’t image a better foundation for a thrilling ride.

It’s clear from the additional photos that Woodward shared that he scouted several distinct operational environments across Egypt. I’m quite excited for how each location might bring a unique set of tactical challenges and atmosphere to the narrative in The Attaché.

Woodward’s photos below with his original captions:

Istanbul's iconic Hagia Sophia. Beneath its Ottoman identity lie Christian mosaics from the Byzantine era—and even Viking graffiti carved more than a thousand years ago.
Istanbul’s iconic Hagia Sophia. Beneath its Ottoman identity lie Christian mosaics from the Byzantine era—and even Viking graffiti carved more than a thousand years ago.
Roman cisterns beneath Istanbul, fed by aqueducts from lakes more than 10 miles away. This unforgettable site was featured in the Bond movie, From Russia with Love.
Roman cisterns beneath Istanbul, fed by aqueducts from lakes more than 10 miles away. This unforgettable site was featured in the Bond movie, From Russia with Love.
The Citadel of Qaitbay in Alexandria. Built by a Mamluk sultan in the 15th century atop the ruins of the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the lighthouse was erected by the successors of Alexander the Great after his conquest of Egypt.
The Citadel of Qaitbay in Alexandria. Built by a Mamluk sultan in the 15th century atop the ruins of the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the lighthouse was erected by the successors of Alexander the Great after his conquest of Egypt.
The Luxor Temple in Egypt. For nearly two thousand years, one ruler after another expanded the complex, from Egypt's great pharaohs to the Greek successors of Alexander and the Roman emperors who followed. Traces of later civilizations—including Christian and Islamic communities—can still be found among its stones. When Julius Caesar came to Egypt, Cleopatra took him here. Seeking an ally, she would later give birth to Caesar’s son, Caesarion.
The Luxor Temple in Egypt. For nearly two thousand years, one ruler after another expanded the complex, from Egypt’s great pharaohs to the Greek successors of Alexander and the Roman emperors who followed. Traces of later civilizations—including Christian and Islamic communities—can still be found among its stones. When Julius Caesar came to Egypt, Cleopatra took him here. Seeking an ally, she would later give birth to Caesar’s son, Caesarion.
The archaeological remains from the temple of the Oracle of Amun at Siwa. Today it sits quietly in the desert, far from Egypt's crowded tourist routes. But in 331 BC, Alexander the Great journeyed here seeking divine legitimacy. The oracle's pronouncement helped cement his rule over Egypt and laid the foundation for nearly three centuries of Greek rule that lasted until Cleopatra.
The archaeological remains from the temple of the Oracle of Amun at Siwa. Today it sits quietly in the desert, far from Egypt’s crowded tourist routes. But in 331 BC, Alexander the Great journeyed here seeking divine legitimacy. The oracle’s pronouncement helped cement his rule over Egypt and laid the foundation for nearly three centuries of Greek rule that lasted until Cleopatra.
Near the Libyan border, our guide led us to an unmarked site containing prehistoric footprints and drawings. The civilizations of Alexander, Cleopatra, Rome, and the Ottomans often dominate our histories, but human stories in this region stretch back much farther than any empire.
Near the Libyan border, our guide led us to an unmarked site containing prehistoric footprints and drawings. The civilizations of Alexander, Cleopatra, Rome, and the Ottomans often dominate our histories, but human stories in this region stretch back much farther than any empire.
Deep in Egypt's Western Desert. This was the quietest place I have ever stood. According to Herodotus, a Persian army of 50,000 men disappeared somewhere in this desert while attempting to reach the Oracle at Siwa—a mystery that remains unsolved more than 2,500 years later. (The movie The English Patient was filmed on these dunes).
Deep in Egypt’s Western Desert. This was the quietest place I have ever stood. According to Herodotus, a Persian army of 50,000 men disappeared somewhere in this desert while attempting to reach the Oracle at Siwa—a mystery that remains unsolved more than 2,500 years later. (The movie The English Patient was filmed on these dunes).
A felucca sail on the peaceful southern Nile.
A felucca sail on the peaceful southern Nile.
Looking across the courtyards of Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, seat of the Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries. From here, they governed an empire that stretched across three continents, linking Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Looking across the courtyards of Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, seat of the Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries. From here, they governed an empire that stretched across three continents, linking Europe, Asia, and Africa.
A fantastically ornate Roman tomb, more than 100 feet below the busy streets of Alexandria, Egypt—discovered in the 20th century when a donkey cart fell through the tomb’s air shaft near a market.
A fantastically ornate Roman tomb, more than 100 feet below the busy streets of Alexandria, Egypt—discovered in the 20th century when a donkey cart fell through the tomb’s air shaft near a market.
A view from inside the Citadel of Qaitbay toward modern Alexandria. The harbor at right follows the path of the ancient Heptastadion, the engineering project that connected the island of Pharos to the mainland during Alexandria's earliest years and helped transform the city into one of the ancient world's great ports.
A view from inside the Citadel of Qaitbay toward modern Alexandria. The harbor at right follows the path of the ancient Heptastadion, the engineering project that connected the island of Pharos to the mainland during Alexandria’s earliest years and helped transform the city into one of the ancient world’s great ports.
The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut near Luxor, carved into a mountain. Built nearly 3,500 years ago, it stood long before Alexander, Caesar, or Cleopatra—and remains standing today, having outlasted every empire that followed.
The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut near Luxor, carved into a mountain. Built nearly 3,500 years ago, it stood long before Alexander, Caesar, or Cleopatra—and remains standing today, having outlasted every empire that followed.
A natural salt pool near the Siwa Oasis, 150 feet below sea level. Standing at the water's edge, with the desert stretching to the horizon, it was easy to imagine the oasis had barely changed in the past 2,000 years.
A natural salt pool near the Siwa Oasis, 150 feet below sea level. Standing at the water’s edge, with the desert stretching to the horizon, it was easy to imagine the oasis had barely changed in the past 2,000 years.
The Spring of Juba, where Cleopatra bathed in Siwa. It still makes for a refreshing swim for travelers.
The Spring of Juba, where Cleopatra bathed in Siwa. It still makes for a refreshing swim for travelers.
The timeless, incomparable pyramids at Giza under a punishing July sun.
The timeless, incomparable pyramids at Giza under a punishing July sun.
A lively dinner spot on the Nile in Cairo.
A lively dinner spot on the Nile in Cairo.
Back in Istanbul for a traditional scrub at the Hürrem Sultan Hamamı. Built during the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent, located between Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace, it offered a welcome reminder that not every historic experience requires walking through a desert.
Back in Istanbul for a traditional scrub at the Hürrem Sultan Hamamı. Built during the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent, located between Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace, it offered a welcome reminder that not every historic experience requires walking through a desert.
M.P. Woodward and wife Stacia.
Near the end of our journey. Yours truly with Stacia—the world’s best trip planner, traveling companion, and first-read editor!
Sam Hunter Avatar
Sam Hunter
…is busy reviewing the hottest books in the genre and keeping track of the latest news in the Ryanverse. He’s writing his debut thriller.
Sam Hunter

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