Spybrary Spy Podcast2 Nov 2025

The Peak - Sam Guthrie In Conversation with Tim Shipman

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.

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👉 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!

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