Henley Literary Festival

Tim Spicer will join the festival on Thursday 8th October with an untold story and subject of his new book An Axe and Four Balloons

A Suspicion of Spies author Lt Col Tim Spicer will join the festival on Thursday 8th October with an untold story and subject of his new book An Axe and Four Balloons featuring Royals, Ian Fleming and Britain’s secret war in Yemen. Largely unknown outside special operations, Brian Franks is credited by David Stirling as a founding father of the SAS. Awarded the Legion d’Honneur for parachuting behind enemy lines to lead Operation LOYTON, after the war he managed the Hyde Park Hotel and fought successfully against the disbandment of the SAS, ultimately becoming Colonel Commandant in 1977.

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Thursday 8th October 2026 | 12pm