Nov 2, 2025
What happens when a former
diplomat turns spy-thriller author? In this episode, Sam
Guthrie, ex-Australian trade envoy and senior government official,
sits down with award-winning journalist Tim Shipman to discuss
The Peak — a gripping, character-driven espionage novel
set across Hong Kong, Beijing and Canberra.
Join the Spybrary Community Today!
👉 The story begins with a shocking act inside Australia’s Parliament House — and unravels a 30-year-old secret from the 1997 Hong Kong handover. A love triangle, a mysterious mixtape, betrayal, and a looming global crisis all collide in this explosive debut.
Sam shares behind-the-scenes insights from his time as Deputy Consul General in Hong Kong, reflects on the growing tensions between China, Australia and the West, and explains why fiction must confront the geopolitical risks of the 21st century.
📌 Topics include:
- The real risks of espionage in Asia-Pacific
- Why politicians and business leaders told Sam that this topic is 'too raw' for him to write about.
- Why Australia is caught between China and the US
- Why Sam Guthrie is determined to shift the focus of espionage fiction from Europe to Asia
- Writing flawed characters with emotional depth
- Using mixtapes and music in spy fiction
(Check out Sam Guthrie's Spotify playlist featuring tracks mentioned in The Peak.) - Why more thrillers should focus on China and Australia.
- Why Sam Guthrie loves Spybrary!
- And Much More!