The Peak

"The Peak, for me, is the standout debut of the year. It’s an Australian political-spy thriller that moves at real pace, but never at the expense of character or credibility. It combines the narrative pull of a first-rate mystery with sharp dialogue, a well-drawn cast and an espionage conspiracy that feels uncomfortably plausible. Written by former diplomat Sam Guthrie, the novel unfolds over a 24-hour period and is brilliantly told in the first person by Charlie Westcott through his interrogation by the Australian secret service. A political fixer, he finds himself scrambling to protect the reputation of his lifelong friend, government minister Sebastian Adler, who has apparently taken his own life. At the same time, Australia is hit by a severe national security crisis as a coordinated blackout brings parts of Australia to a standstill — and Chinese intelligence begins to move. As Westcott tries to untangle Adler’s political ambitions, personal relationships, and increasingly dangerous international entanglements, he finds himself up against forces far more powerful than he anticipated. It’s a story about loyalty, reputation, and the uncomfortable realities of how power could operate when the pressure is on. The Peak moves between Beijing, Hong Kong, and Canberra, tracing events from Sam and Charlie’s childhoods, through the handover of Hong Kong, and into the present day. It works on several levels: a coming-of-age story shaped by a complicated love triangle, a tightly plotted spy thriller, and a genuine race against time. The book crackles with energy and is very hard to put down. It’s smart, timely, and hugely confident for a debut. I agree with my honourable friend and spy nerd, the political journalist Tim Shipman, who believes The Peak has the makings for an excellent, gripping Netflix thriller. TV execs take note! I must comment on the music tracks that are referenced throughout: Guthrie is clearly a fan of The Smashing Pumpkins and mixtapes. (Search The Peak on Spotify for the accompanying playlist). Based on recent news headlines, China will prove fertile ground for writers, and I expect we will see many more spy thrillers involving China in the future."