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The Peak
Sure to be THE debut thriller of 2025, The Peak is a nailbiting and unputdownable read, a powerfully taut, gripping and fast-moving international thriller that weaves a story of friendship, love and betrayal together with the ruthless geopolitics of China's rise, set in the last 24 hours of the world as we know it.
'Now I'll tell you what happened, as best I can. No spin. No agenda. If I get something wrong, it's not because I'm being evasive. It's simply because I'm still trying to understand what happened today ... It's to explain, as best I can, what Sebastian has done, and why tomorrow when you wake up, it will be the end of the world.'
Political hatchet man Charlie will do anything to protect Sebastian, government minister and his best friend since their brutal private school days. Rising to power and prominence through international diplomatic postings and then the rough and tumble of Australian politics, they are as close as brothers - or so Charlie thinks - while both keep the secret that lies at the very heart of their relationship - a secret that in one way or another will change the world.
But then a single phrase in Mandarin is spoken in Sebastian's ear and he does the unthinkable. As Charlie tries to piece it all together - from their youth spent in Hong Kong to the recent past in Beijing and Washington - things in the outside world start to fall apart too. Planes can't land, the phone lines go down and the power is out. Then the secret intelligence services comes knocking. Charlie wonders, what the hell did Sebastian do?
From the jostling streets of Hong Kong to Beijing's shadowy halls of power and the backstabbing Machiavellian workings of Parliament House in Canberra, The Peak is a powerful, propulsive and nailbitingly tense international thriller. Written with an extraordinary insider knowledge of China, the realities of global power and the inner dealings of the Australian Government, The Peak has the authenticity and moral complexity of a Le Carre novel and the narrative power of an Australian Robert Harris.
'Now I'll tell you what happened, as best I can. No spin. No agenda. If I get something wrong, it's not because I'm being evasive. It's simply because I'm still trying to understand what happened today ... It's to explain, as best I can, what Sebastian has done, and why tomorrow when you wake up, it will be the end of the world.'
Political hatchet man Charlie will do anything to protect Sebastian, government minister and his best friend since their brutal private school days. Rising to power and prominence through international diplomatic postings and then the rough and tumble of Australian politics, they are as close as brothers - or so Charlie thinks - while both keep the secret that lies at the very heart of their relationship - a secret that in one way or another will change the world.
But then a single phrase in Mandarin is spoken in Sebastian's ear and he does the unthinkable. As Charlie tries to piece it all together - from their youth spent in Hong Kong to the recent past in Beijing and Washington - things in the outside world start to fall apart too. Planes can't land, the phone lines go down and the power is out. Then the secret intelligence services comes knocking. Charlie wonders, what the hell did Sebastian do?
From the jostling streets of Hong Kong to Beijing's shadowy halls of power and the backstabbing Machiavellian workings of Parliament House in Canberra, The Peak is a powerful, propulsive and nailbitingly tense international thriller. Written with an extraordinary insider knowledge of China, the realities of global power and the inner dealings of the Australian Government, The Peak has the authenticity and moral complexity of a Le Carre novel and the narrative power of an Australian Robert Harris.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published August 28, 2025
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806 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
August 25, 2025
*3.5 stars*
‘'Now I'll tell you what happened, as best I can. No spin. No agenda. If I get something wrong, it's not because I'm being evasive. It's simply because I'm still trying to understand what happened today ... It's to explain, as best I can, what Sebastian has done, and why tomorrow when you wake up, it will be the end of the world.'’
Charlie is what you would call a political hatchet man, otherwise known as Chief of Staff. Sebastian, on the other hand, is a junior government minister who works closely with Charlie, but they’re also best friends, and have been since their schooldays.
Sebastian has risen through the political ranks via various international diplomatic posting’s, and is now at the centre of Australian politics. Charlie will do whatever it takes to protect Sebastian from any political threats, perceived or real.
The pair share a secret that goes back many years, but as Charlie is about to find out, Sebastian has a much bigger secret.
Just one single phrase in Mandarin is spoken in Sebastian's ear and he does the unthinkable.
Events in the outside world start to fall apart - Planes can't land, the phone lines go down and the power is out, and then the Secret Intelligence Services arrive to interview Charlie, wanting to know every detail about Sebastian’s life. Charlie begins to wonder what exactly it is, that Sebastian has done?
This is Sam Guthrie’s debut novel, and it’s a good one, although I would have enjoyed it more if I had a better understanding of the Australian political system. However, It’s full of suspense and tension, with a backdrop of devious political wheeling and dealing in China, Australia, and Hong Kong, together with espionage, a love story, deep friendship, secrets and betrayal.
*My thanks to the publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
‘'Now I'll tell you what happened, as best I can. No spin. No agenda. If I get something wrong, it's not because I'm being evasive. It's simply because I'm still trying to understand what happened today ... It's to explain, as best I can, what Sebastian has done, and why tomorrow when you wake up, it will be the end of the world.'’
Charlie is what you would call a political hatchet man, otherwise known as Chief of Staff. Sebastian, on the other hand, is a junior government minister who works closely with Charlie, but they’re also best friends, and have been since their schooldays.
Sebastian has risen through the political ranks via various international diplomatic posting’s, and is now at the centre of Australian politics. Charlie will do whatever it takes to protect Sebastian from any political threats, perceived or real.
The pair share a secret that goes back many years, but as Charlie is about to find out, Sebastian has a much bigger secret.
Just one single phrase in Mandarin is spoken in Sebastian's ear and he does the unthinkable.
Events in the outside world start to fall apart - Planes can't land, the phone lines go down and the power is out, and then the Secret Intelligence Services arrive to interview Charlie, wanting to know every detail about Sebastian’s life. Charlie begins to wonder what exactly it is, that Sebastian has done?
This is Sam Guthrie’s debut novel, and it’s a good one, although I would have enjoyed it more if I had a better understanding of the Australian political system. However, It’s full of suspense and tension, with a backdrop of devious political wheeling and dealing in China, Australia, and Hong Kong, together with espionage, a love story, deep friendship, secrets and betrayal.
*My thanks to the publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
August 16, 2025
The Peak - an historic hilltop district of Hong Kong giving stunning panoramic views of the city.
Senator Sebastian Abler is an Australian government minister and his old friend Charlie Westcoff go way back to school days. They are extremely close, as close as brothers. Sebastian’s job is to promote foreign direct investment in Australia and the pair are in Hong Kong for a meeting when a Chinese businessman gives him a message - ‘It’s done’. It transpires this links to Sebastian’s past and Chloe Zheng and what unfolds next is truly horrifying for Charlie. Why? Everything before has seemed so normal and crucially, what does the message mean? There’s a time bomb ticking and least of all is this – does Charlie know Sebastian as well as he thinks he does? Charlie swings into action to try to piece it all together to find out what an earth Sebastian has done because it’s possible tomorrow when you wake up, it could be the end of the world.
Phew. Can I breathe now? This is one cracking, outstanding, excellent political thriller debut and if that’s a genre you like, this is a MUST read. Explosive sums the plot up well as we head into the murky, shadowy and devious underworld of espionage where any methods seem to be on the table in order to obtain information. There’s everything from loyalty to treachery and betrayal although at the heart of it there’s deep love. Politics and power, coverups, cyber power, secrets, manipulation and extreme danger. It’s extremely tense and suspenseful with multiple twists and turns that keep me eagerly reading on, gripped by the action. The plot is very well connected, complex and very believable. The tone it’s written in makes me totally buy into it. It’s very dramatic and real as it builds to a great conclusion.
The backdrop to much of the drama is Hong Kong, which is fantastic as it adds to the atmosphere with its frenetic energy matching the swift pace and intrigue of the plot. It’s obvious the author knows it very well.
Overall, this is an excellent political thriller and one heck of a debut which I have no hesitation in highly recommending.
PS. There are inevitably a lot of acronyms as you would expect in a political thriller. Many are unfamiliar to me as it’s Australian and of course, Chinese but I have no difficulty in figuring out what they mean and it is no way detracts from the plot.
Senator Sebastian Abler is an Australian government minister and his old friend Charlie Westcoff go way back to school days. They are extremely close, as close as brothers. Sebastian’s job is to promote foreign direct investment in Australia and the pair are in Hong Kong for a meeting when a Chinese businessman gives him a message - ‘It’s done’. It transpires this links to Sebastian’s past and Chloe Zheng and what unfolds next is truly horrifying for Charlie. Why? Everything before has seemed so normal and crucially, what does the message mean? There’s a time bomb ticking and least of all is this – does Charlie know Sebastian as well as he thinks he does? Charlie swings into action to try to piece it all together to find out what an earth Sebastian has done because it’s possible tomorrow when you wake up, it could be the end of the world.
Phew. Can I breathe now? This is one cracking, outstanding, excellent political thriller debut and if that’s a genre you like, this is a MUST read. Explosive sums the plot up well as we head into the murky, shadowy and devious underworld of espionage where any methods seem to be on the table in order to obtain information. There’s everything from loyalty to treachery and betrayal although at the heart of it there’s deep love. Politics and power, coverups, cyber power, secrets, manipulation and extreme danger. It’s extremely tense and suspenseful with multiple twists and turns that keep me eagerly reading on, gripped by the action. The plot is very well connected, complex and very believable. The tone it’s written in makes me totally buy into it. It’s very dramatic and real as it builds to a great conclusion.
The backdrop to much of the drama is Hong Kong, which is fantastic as it adds to the atmosphere with its frenetic energy matching the swift pace and intrigue of the plot. It’s obvious the author knows it very well.
Overall, this is an excellent political thriller and one heck of a debut which I have no hesitation in highly recommending.
PS. There are inevitably a lot of acronyms as you would expect in a political thriller. Many are unfamiliar to me as it’s Australian and of course, Chinese but I have no difficulty in figuring out what they mean and it is no way detracts from the plot.
October 12, 2025
Charlie Westcott has known Sebastian Abler since his school days. Sebastian was always going to be successful: good-looking, an excellent sportsman, a top grade student, and hard driven by his high performing father. Charlie, on the other hand, was set up to be a struggler. He’d found his way to this posh school from a working class background. He didn’t have Sebastian’s confidence, looks, or charisma. In fact, he quickly became the target of school bullies. But Sebastian was to become his protector.
Skip forward several decades, and things have changed. Thanks to his friend’s support, Charlie is now chief of staff to a government assistant minister. His boss? Well, that would be Sebastian. The roles have reversed, and now Charlie is the protector. But one morning, things explode in an unexpected and dramatic way. From here we’re forced to peer back in time to identify what caused the events that have now unfolded. But we have to deal with the hear and now, too. Urgently.
Set in Canberra, Australia – where Charlie and Sebastian are based – Hong Kong and Beijing, this tale unfolds in a way that is suspenseful, heart-wrenching, and truly surprising. I quickly found that I literally couldn’t put it down and consequently read late into the night (and early morning), so invested was I in the outcome of this extraordinary tale. I felt for the people directly involved, but also for the wider implications of what unfolds.
It’s a political thriller with a huge punch and, many would say, relevance to today’s geopolitical environment. It took me a little bit of time to unwind the intricacies of the Australian political and law enforcement structures (there are plenty of acronyms here). But really, this was a minor issue. The story itself is well structured and manages to hold on to its secrets deep into the narrative. It had me guessing from the start right through to its dramatic finish.
I was invited to read an early copy of this book by its publisher, HarperCollins UK, and I’m so glad I took the opportunity to do so. The views I’ve expressed here are solely my own.
Skip forward several decades, and things have changed. Thanks to his friend’s support, Charlie is now chief of staff to a government assistant minister. His boss? Well, that would be Sebastian. The roles have reversed, and now Charlie is the protector. But one morning, things explode in an unexpected and dramatic way. From here we’re forced to peer back in time to identify what caused the events that have now unfolded. But we have to deal with the hear and now, too. Urgently.
Set in Canberra, Australia – where Charlie and Sebastian are based – Hong Kong and Beijing, this tale unfolds in a way that is suspenseful, heart-wrenching, and truly surprising. I quickly found that I literally couldn’t put it down and consequently read late into the night (and early morning), so invested was I in the outcome of this extraordinary tale. I felt for the people directly involved, but also for the wider implications of what unfolds.
It’s a political thriller with a huge punch and, many would say, relevance to today’s geopolitical environment. It took me a little bit of time to unwind the intricacies of the Australian political and law enforcement structures (there are plenty of acronyms here). But really, this was a minor issue. The story itself is well structured and manages to hold on to its secrets deep into the narrative. It had me guessing from the start right through to its dramatic finish.
I was invited to read an early copy of this book by its publisher, HarperCollins UK, and I’m so glad I took the opportunity to do so. The views I’ve expressed here are solely my own.
August 4, 2025
As a lover of politics and a lover of thrillers, this was definitely one which I couldn't wait to request and read.
And boy did it deliver..... Do you know one of those books which just draws you in from the initial chapter and you know you won't be able to rest until you know what happened - well this was one of those.
The book tells the story of Sebastian, a handsome politician on the rise, perhaps all the way to Prime Minister if his Chief of Staff and political attack dog has anything to do with it. However, a relatively innocuous meeting ends in disaster with the uttering of three small words in Mandarin... what do these words mean? and, more importantly, why have they caused Sebastian to carry out a devastating act?
Well, read on as Guthrie takes us through the world of politics, spycraft, love, jealousy, betrayal and a million other things as we follow Sebastian and Charlie through Australia, China, Hong Kong to a thrilling dramatic conclusion.
This was everything I loved in a book and I just wish there were more books like this out there. The only thing that I never knew when I picked it up was that it was set in Australian politics which I am not too familiar with however this does not detract from the story at all.
Really loved this one and would recommend to anyone with an interest in politics, thrillers and espionage.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperCollins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
And boy did it deliver..... Do you know one of those books which just draws you in from the initial chapter and you know you won't be able to rest until you know what happened - well this was one of those.
The book tells the story of Sebastian, a handsome politician on the rise, perhaps all the way to Prime Minister if his Chief of Staff and political attack dog has anything to do with it. However, a relatively innocuous meeting ends in disaster with the uttering of three small words in Mandarin... what do these words mean? and, more importantly, why have they caused Sebastian to carry out a devastating act?
Well, read on as Guthrie takes us through the world of politics, spycraft, love, jealousy, betrayal and a million other things as we follow Sebastian and Charlie through Australia, China, Hong Kong to a thrilling dramatic conclusion.
This was everything I loved in a book and I just wish there were more books like this out there. The only thing that I never knew when I picked it up was that it was set in Australian politics which I am not too familiar with however this does not detract from the story at all.
Really loved this one and would recommend to anyone with an interest in politics, thrillers and espionage.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperCollins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
September 12, 2025
For a debut novel, this was absolutely brilliant.
A really enjoyable political thriller that had me hooked right from the start. The fact the story is unfolding over just a few days, also added such an engaging and fast pacing!
The Peak is set across Australia, Hong Kong and mainland China, and you can tell the author is deeply knowledgeable about both the issues and the setting. The writing is immersive and the world is so well detailed. It was also super fascinating to read about the inner workings of government and how international relations actually play out. However, it was also daunting and honestly a little scary to realise how vulnerable Australia is.
One of my big issues with political thrillers is that they often lack anything beyond superficial character building. The Peak however, did not disappoint in this area and the main characters were brilliantly complex and this books exploration of loyalty, betrayal and friendship was done super well!
I received this ARC from work, however this has not affected my review or opinions on the book.
A really enjoyable political thriller that had me hooked right from the start. The fact the story is unfolding over just a few days, also added such an engaging and fast pacing!
The Peak is set across Australia, Hong Kong and mainland China, and you can tell the author is deeply knowledgeable about both the issues and the setting. The writing is immersive and the world is so well detailed. It was also super fascinating to read about the inner workings of government and how international relations actually play out. However, it was also daunting and honestly a little scary to realise how vulnerable Australia is.
One of my big issues with political thrillers is that they often lack anything beyond superficial character building. The Peak however, did not disappoint in this area and the main characters were brilliantly complex and this books exploration of loyalty, betrayal and friendship was done super well!
I received this ARC from work, however this has not affected my review or opinions on the book.
October 14, 2025
An easy read but not at all the political thriller the back of the book suggests. Instead, it's a trawl through angst, jealousy and self-pity from an odious narrator that simply never rings true. No one is likable or sympathetic; the plot isn't clever enough to be engaging and comes off as more soap opera than thriller. The more I read the less I paid attention.
It only took two days, but I should have listened to my wife when she said "why don't you see if the library has a copy rather than buy it?"
It only took two days, but I should have listened to my wife when she said "why don't you see if the library has a copy rather than buy it?"
September 15, 2025
4 ⭐️s
A gripping and hair-raising espionage thriller.
Frightening and terrifyingly real.
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by: Bolinda/HarperCollins audio
Read by Max Brown
Duration: 11 hrs, 28 min. 1.25x Speed
A gripping and hair-raising espionage thriller.
Frightening and terrifyingly real.
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by: Bolinda/HarperCollins audio
Read by Max Brown
Duration: 11 hrs, 28 min. 1.25x Speed
July 18, 2025
The Peak by Sam Guthrie
I first heard about The Peak when Caroline Overington talked about it on her Instagram page, back in... maybe April (?), anyway, it was a while ago. I'm not usually into political thrillers, but when I saw it listed on NetGalley, I remembered Caroline's enthusiasm and requested it.
The Peak is Sam Guthrie's debut novel. It explores the line between right and wrong, where every action has a consequence, and the moral grey areas make for a twisty story, full of suspense and tension. While it's advertised as a geopolitical thriller, The Peak is really about friendships, family, flawed relationships and complicated emotional bonding.
If you are on the fence about reading this one, go to the bookshop (or the library) and read the first chapter. If you aren't hooked by the end of that chapter, just put it down and go home; it's just not for you (and that's OK!). But the chances are good that by the end of the very first chapter, you will be completely riveted.
The blurb suggests that if you enjoy political thrillers by authors like John le Carré, Daniel Silva, and Robert Harris, you might also enjoy this book. The truth is, I haven't read anything by those authors, so I couldn't say. However, if you like a well-paced thriller or a book that centres around complicated people with complicated relationships, then this might be a book you enjoy.
Body Count = 2 'in plain sight' but, seriously, that's a tricky question.
Thumbs up.
@harpercollinsaustralia #harpercollinsaustralia #ThePeak #NetGalley
#AustralianAuthor #AussieAuthor #booksdeevaareads #2025bookshelf #deevaasbookshelf #goreadabook #allthebooks #booknerd #Designer #GraphicDesign #DesignNerd #designdeevaa #CreativeLife #DesignInspiration #ArtAndDesign #Designer #DesignNerd #murdermystery
I first heard about The Peak when Caroline Overington talked about it on her Instagram page, back in... maybe April (?), anyway, it was a while ago. I'm not usually into political thrillers, but when I saw it listed on NetGalley, I remembered Caroline's enthusiasm and requested it.
The Peak is Sam Guthrie's debut novel. It explores the line between right and wrong, where every action has a consequence, and the moral grey areas make for a twisty story, full of suspense and tension. While it's advertised as a geopolitical thriller, The Peak is really about friendships, family, flawed relationships and complicated emotional bonding.
If you are on the fence about reading this one, go to the bookshop (or the library) and read the first chapter. If you aren't hooked by the end of that chapter, just put it down and go home; it's just not for you (and that's OK!). But the chances are good that by the end of the very first chapter, you will be completely riveted.
The blurb suggests that if you enjoy political thrillers by authors like John le Carré, Daniel Silva, and Robert Harris, you might also enjoy this book. The truth is, I haven't read anything by those authors, so I couldn't say. However, if you like a well-paced thriller or a book that centres around complicated people with complicated relationships, then this might be a book you enjoy.
Body Count = 2 'in plain sight' but, seriously, that's a tricky question.
Thumbs up.
@harpercollinsaustralia #harpercollinsaustralia #ThePeak #NetGalley
#AustralianAuthor #AussieAuthor #booksdeevaareads #2025bookshelf #deevaasbookshelf #goreadabook #allthebooks #booknerd #Designer #GraphicDesign #DesignNerd #designdeevaa #CreativeLife #DesignInspiration #ArtAndDesign #Designer #DesignNerd #murdermystery
August 25, 2025
The Peak completely blew me away. From the moment the crisis in Hong Kong triggered a global fallout, I was glued to the page. Guthrie crafts a world of high-stakes espionage and political tension yet keeps the pacing on point and relentless. I received a copy from Harper Collins UK via Netgalley. It comes out on the 28th.
I appreciated the emotional core of the story a lot. Charlie’s struggle after Sebastian’s death added a vulnerability that deepened the suspense of the story. It wasn’t just about spy games or geopolitical chaos. It was also about grief, loyalty, and the cost of silence.
This book is an absolute recommendation as the writing is spot on, the storyline perfectly worked out, and the characters well fleshed out. A must-read!
5/5 ⭐️
I appreciated the emotional core of the story a lot. Charlie’s struggle after Sebastian’s death added a vulnerability that deepened the suspense of the story. It wasn’t just about spy games or geopolitical chaos. It was also about grief, loyalty, and the cost of silence.
This book is an absolute recommendation as the writing is spot on, the storyline perfectly worked out, and the characters well fleshed out. A must-read!
5/5 ⭐️
August 31, 2025
3.5 stars. Political thrillers are not my usual genre. I’m not sure if this fits neatly into that category due to the central love story that morphs into something quite macabre. I was interested to read a story involving political machinations in Canberra and Hong Kong but this story is very specific to the issue of one man’s betrayal and frankly, what an idiot he was throughout his whole adult life. I was intrigued enough to keep reading but would have liked to feel more alignment with Charlie, or anyone really.
July 26, 2025
I just want to start this review by saying that I’m usually not a political thriller fan, but I absolutely loved this book! Sam Guthrie has knocked it out of the park with his debut novel that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
“So now I’ll tell you what happened as best I can. No spin, no agenda. If I get something wrong, it’s not because I’m being evasive or trying to protect Sebastian. It’s simply because I don’t understand what happened today either. I don’t understand why there’s police tape around his office, why his wife has been sedated, or why the lights no longer work.”
With an opening like this one, I knew I was in for a gripping story. Charlie and Sebastian have been like brothers ever since their hellish private school days. They have risen through the political ranks together and now Charlie is the hatchet man who will protect government minister Sebastian from all political threats. However, at the centre of their relationship is a secret that could change the world and when a single word in Mandarin is whispered in Sebastian’s ear, he does the unthinkable, leaving Charlie to try and work out what happened.
Set against the backdrop of China - Australia politics, this novel seamlessly blended the international relations aspect with the implications for Charlie’s own personal and professional life. There was no part that felt like it dragged or became too bogged down in politics instead the pace was set to breakneck throughout.
I loved the way this book took us back to the past and allowed the reader to attempt to piece together what had led to the present day situation. The intrigue and betrayals were monumental and had me gasping in parts as the novel propelled me towards a thrilling conclusion. I highly recommend this to all lovers of heart racing thrillers.
“So now I’ll tell you what happened as best I can. No spin, no agenda. If I get something wrong, it’s not because I’m being evasive or trying to protect Sebastian. It’s simply because I don’t understand what happened today either. I don’t understand why there’s police tape around his office, why his wife has been sedated, or why the lights no longer work.”
With an opening like this one, I knew I was in for a gripping story. Charlie and Sebastian have been like brothers ever since their hellish private school days. They have risen through the political ranks together and now Charlie is the hatchet man who will protect government minister Sebastian from all political threats. However, at the centre of their relationship is a secret that could change the world and when a single word in Mandarin is whispered in Sebastian’s ear, he does the unthinkable, leaving Charlie to try and work out what happened.
Set against the backdrop of China - Australia politics, this novel seamlessly blended the international relations aspect with the implications for Charlie’s own personal and professional life. There was no part that felt like it dragged or became too bogged down in politics instead the pace was set to breakneck throughout.
I loved the way this book took us back to the past and allowed the reader to attempt to piece together what had led to the present day situation. The intrigue and betrayals were monumental and had me gasping in parts as the novel propelled me towards a thrilling conclusion. I highly recommend this to all lovers of heart racing thrillers.
July 10, 2025
awful
I don’t know how this book got rave reviews. It’s badly written, thin and unbelievable plot and frankly, boring. If I could get my money back I would.
I don’t know how this book got rave reviews. It’s badly written, thin and unbelievable plot and frankly, boring. If I could get my money back I would.
September 16, 2025
A good spy novel has to be vaguely believable. This fails that basic step
July 21, 2025
Such a great spy thriller, all the twists and turns, politics and cover ups…I so haven’t actually read that many but this just gave me all the feels. Alliances and loyalties abounded but at no point did I not know what Charlie was feeling or doing. This was so clever. There are lots of worries to be had over Australia’s relationship with China and I really felt that was all reflected back on the page. This isn’t a dated Russian Cold War spy novel. It was all so topical (unfortunately!)
The Peak is also so much more than a spy thriller, I got to reminisce about 90s music in a way I haven’t for ages! There’s the best spotify playlist even!!! It’s also about friendship and first love..growing up and speaking up.
I loved being in Hong Kong, I loved being in Canberra.
I completely loved The Peak and can’t wait to read whatever Sam Guthrie writes next!!!
The Peak is also so much more than a spy thriller, I got to reminisce about 90s music in a way I haven’t for ages! There’s the best spotify playlist even!!! It’s also about friendship and first love..growing up and speaking up.
I loved being in Hong Kong, I loved being in Canberra.
I completely loved The Peak and can’t wait to read whatever Sam Guthrie writes next!!!
June 29, 2025
A three word message. An impetuous suicide. These dramatic events begin Sam Guthrie’s The Peak and the ensuing narrative works to uncover the history that has led to this. Charlie is colleague and ‘best friend’ to Sebastian but comes to realise how little he knows about him, especially as he is himself being suspected of espionage. The political and diplomatic settings are vivid and realistic and the story unfolds with an excellent pace.
November 12, 2025
I love a good spy thriller, and this one set in the Australian political environment is great. A Senator kills himself on his office after receiving a cryptic message. Enter Chinese corruption and blackmail galore.
This is a debut, but the quality of the writing and the way the narrative is woven together is super engaging.
Past and present collide, and while the current event spans one day, the past is over a decade.
I look forward to more from Guthrie.
This is a debut, but the quality of the writing and the way the narrative is woven together is super engaging.
Past and present collide, and while the current event spans one day, the past is over a decade.
I look forward to more from Guthrie.
September 14, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Fiction for an advance reader copy. If you want a synopsis, click on the book.
I enjoyed this well-plotted book. The reader is drip-fed the back story with music references of the time and cassette tapes while the main character sinks deeper into hot water in the present time. The Australian politics was a bit difficult for a UK reader to follow but politics is politics wherever you live so I was able to keep up. This is a very good debut novel and worth reading if you enjoy political thrillers.
I enjoyed this well-plotted book. The reader is drip-fed the back story with music references of the time and cassette tapes while the main character sinks deeper into hot water in the present time. The Australian politics was a bit difficult for a UK reader to follow but politics is politics wherever you live so I was able to keep up. This is a very good debut novel and worth reading if you enjoy political thrillers.
July 9, 2025
The Peak is a high-stakes political thriller that hits the ground running with an opening chapter that blew my mind 👀. From that moment, I couldn’t put the book down.
In today's uncertain world, this story takes a close look at the complex realities of politics, including the behind-the-scenes maneuvers, questionable deals, and the all-too-real threat of foreign influence. It’s both unsettling and relevant.
If political jargon intimidates you, I urge you to look past it, because at its heart, The Peak is a compelling exploration of Charlie and Sebastian’s friendship, reaching all the way back to their teenage years. The layered timeline adds depth and emotional weight that offsets any moments of political overload. As the past crashes into the present, Charlie faces an impossible choice: protect Sebastian’s legacy and long-buried secrets, or save himself and the world burning around him
Drawing on his real life expertise, Guthrie crafts a narrative where political strategies and quiet betrayals feel strikingly authentic. Coming from someone who enjoys watches spy and political espionage tv/film rather than reading it, The Peak more than delivers with its cinematic atmosphere. The only thing that might have elevated it further would’ve been a clearer window into the unrest and chaos erupting in the outside world as the story unfolds.
Still, The Peak immerses you in a web of complex political maneuvering while keeping the tension high and the pages turning right to the very end.
A big thank you to the team at @harpercollinsaustralia for sending me a surprise ARC of The Peak for an honest review. I really enjoyed this and given how it ended, wonder if there may be a second instalment??
4.5 ★
In today's uncertain world, this story takes a close look at the complex realities of politics, including the behind-the-scenes maneuvers, questionable deals, and the all-too-real threat of foreign influence. It’s both unsettling and relevant.
If political jargon intimidates you, I urge you to look past it, because at its heart, The Peak is a compelling exploration of Charlie and Sebastian’s friendship, reaching all the way back to their teenage years. The layered timeline adds depth and emotional weight that offsets any moments of political overload. As the past crashes into the present, Charlie faces an impossible choice: protect Sebastian’s legacy and long-buried secrets, or save himself and the world burning around him
Drawing on his real life expertise, Guthrie crafts a narrative where political strategies and quiet betrayals feel strikingly authentic. Coming from someone who enjoys watches spy and political espionage tv/film rather than reading it, The Peak more than delivers with its cinematic atmosphere. The only thing that might have elevated it further would’ve been a clearer window into the unrest and chaos erupting in the outside world as the story unfolds.
Still, The Peak immerses you in a web of complex political maneuvering while keeping the tension high and the pages turning right to the very end.
A big thank you to the team at @harpercollinsaustralia for sending me a surprise ARC of The Peak for an honest review. I really enjoyed this and given how it ended, wonder if there may be a second instalment??
4.5 ★
August 11, 2025
“A cracking read” is such a cliche, but it also an excellent way to describe the experience of reading this fabulous new Aussie debut! Guthrie has done a brilliant job of telling an intriguing and well paced story of espionage, politics and global tension without ignoring character and the human toll of such shenanigans (as much as the genre allows of course). I absolutely LOVED the sense of place, and while not every twist was unexpected, I didn’t know exactly where it would land until the final pages. This was the kind of book I kept in my bag in case I had the chance to read while filling the car with petrol!
Brilliant debut, brilliant Aussie fiction that refreshingly avoids the “creepy outback town crime” scenario (which I love, but is getting too formulaic for me). I hope Guthrie has more stories to tell because I loved this one!
Brilliant debut, brilliant Aussie fiction that refreshingly avoids the “creepy outback town crime” scenario (which I love, but is getting too formulaic for me). I hope Guthrie has more stories to tell because I loved this one!
September 10, 2025
well. i left it at the hotel....
January 5, 2026
I went into this with high-hopes: in the world of "spy" novels, the usual suspects -- US, UK, Russia, East Germany -- are massively overrepresented. One from the Australian perspective? And the Chinese? This sounds like a spy novel that is actually forward-looking instead of yet more backwards looking navel gazing. Actually, why are (modern) Chinese-centric spy novels so rare?
And The Peak starts out tremendously. A routine meeting with a Hong Kong businessman leads to, moments later, a grisly suicide by the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in his office.
Why? His long-time Chief of Staff and (maybe?) best friend is as confused as anyone else.
From there, the author decides to follow that up with 100 pages of deadly dull backstory from childhood. "Why did the Senator kill himself? Well you see, when I was a child I sat for an exam at a private school and got in. I was bullied because I was common..." yaaaawwwnnnnnnn
It's sucks because there are glimpes of intriguing stuff, when the story can pull itself out of its interminable flashbacks. Sebastian and his wife have been married for years but after the first 12 months they started sleeping separate rooms? What's that all abou...wait, time to get back to our flashbacks and 90s music mixtapes! This girl likes The Smashing Pumpkins, too! She's my soulmate, nobody has ever got me like that before!
To make matters worse ... Charlie is a sad, pathetic little man ... and I'm not sure the author realises that? There are way, way, way too many words spilled about Charlie's ultra-obscure indie tastes that only those with brains can understand....completely unknown bands like The Smashing Pumpkins (Wikipedia tells me: "With 30 million albums sold worldwide, the Smashing Pumpkins were among the most critically and commercially successful bands of the 1990s"), Pearl Jam ("Pearl Jam had sold more than 100 million albums worldwide by 2018, including nearly 32 million albums in the United States by 2012,[4] making them one of the best-selling bands of all time").
We are told his friend "always mocked my musical taste". Who the hell ever got mocked about liking those bands...especially in the 21st century?
Charlie has this completely bizarre fixation on Sebastian. It completely reads like an unrequited gay romance -- but, again, I'm not sure the author intends us the read that way? And it takes about a dozen pages to be obvious Sebastian definitely doesn't feel the same way about Charlie and never has.
Charlie is upset that Sebastian has friends other than himself. Who thinks this way? Sebastian has been living in Hong Kong for 12 months...it would be extremely weird if he didn't have friends other than Charlie! Does Charlie even have a life? There is zero mention of any friendship, relationship, or hobby in his life that isn't about Sebastian. Keep in mind they are both in their 40s!
And then...Charlie's motivations make little sense to the reader; they certainly aren't sympathetic. And again (it keeps coming up, yeah) it isn't clear that the author intends us to read it that way. Are we supposed to see him as just helping protect a mate's reputation? But he is incandescent with fury that someone told ASIO (the Australian equivalent of the CIA) that Sebastian is quite likely being blackmailed by the Chinese. What kind of reaction is that?!
For sharing information with ASIO? What the heck....
But, mostly, the flashbacks were just too much, and too boring, for me.
And The Peak starts out tremendously. A routine meeting with a Hong Kong businessman leads to, moments later, a grisly suicide by the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in his office.
Why? His long-time Chief of Staff and (maybe?) best friend is as confused as anyone else.
From there, the author decides to follow that up with 100 pages of deadly dull backstory from childhood. "Why did the Senator kill himself? Well you see, when I was a child I sat for an exam at a private school and got in. I was bullied because I was common..." yaaaawwwnnnnnnn
It's sucks because there are glimpes of intriguing stuff, when the story can pull itself out of its interminable flashbacks. Sebastian and his wife have been married for years but after the first 12 months they started sleeping separate rooms? What's that all abou...wait, time to get back to our flashbacks and 90s music mixtapes! This girl likes The Smashing Pumpkins, too! She's my soulmate, nobody has ever got me like that before!
To make matters worse ... Charlie is a sad, pathetic little man ... and I'm not sure the author realises that? There are way, way, way too many words spilled about Charlie's ultra-obscure indie tastes that only those with brains can understand....completely unknown bands like The Smashing Pumpkins (Wikipedia tells me: "With 30 million albums sold worldwide, the Smashing Pumpkins were among the most critically and commercially successful bands of the 1990s"), Pearl Jam ("Pearl Jam had sold more than 100 million albums worldwide by 2018, including nearly 32 million albums in the United States by 2012,[4] making them one of the best-selling bands of all time").
We are told his friend "always mocked my musical taste". Who the hell ever got mocked about liking those bands...especially in the 21st century?
Charlie has this completely bizarre fixation on Sebastian. It completely reads like an unrequited gay romance -- but, again, I'm not sure the author intends us the read that way? And it takes about a dozen pages to be obvious Sebastian definitely doesn't feel the same way about Charlie and never has.
So, nothing had changed. I still had to share him with strangers.
Charlie is upset that Sebastian has friends other than himself. Who thinks this way? Sebastian has been living in Hong Kong for 12 months...it would be extremely weird if he didn't have friends other than Charlie! Does Charlie even have a life? There is zero mention of any friendship, relationship, or hobby in his life that isn't about Sebastian. Keep in mind they are both in their 40s!
And then...Charlie's motivations make little sense to the reader; they certainly aren't sympathetic. And again (it keeps coming up, yeah) it isn't clear that the author intends us to read it that way. Are we supposed to see him as just helping protect a mate's reputation? But he is incandescent with fury that someone told ASIO (the Australian equivalent of the CIA) that Sebastian is quite likely being blackmailed by the Chinese. What kind of reaction is that?!
wanted to punch his treacherous red face. He had buckled under the first bit of pressure they’d applied. All that bullshit about protecting the Party. As soon as it got tight, he’d protected himself and told them everything. What had they threatened him with?
‘You are a piece of shit, aren’t you, Ronnie?’
For sharing information with ASIO? What the heck....
But, mostly, the flashbacks were just too much, and too boring, for me.
September 3, 2025
The Peak was my first experience of a sky thriller. I went in expecting James Bond but was pleasantly suprised that this book was nothing like that at all.
At its heart this novel is about relationships and choices, grounded in realism with theatrical flair. The choices you make based on emotions and those around you, how you convince yourself that bad choices are justified and what consequences all those actions cause.
It's an immersive story told through the eyes of our main character and his best friend. As you recount their lives, see how their actions effect now only themselves but those around them and ultimately put entire countries if not the world at risk. It's a complex set of emotions and depth and scarily close to real world situations I have no doubt have occurred.
A really interesting read and great first foray into the sky thriller genre.
At its heart this novel is about relationships and choices, grounded in realism with theatrical flair. The choices you make based on emotions and those around you, how you convince yourself that bad choices are justified and what consequences all those actions cause.
It's an immersive story told through the eyes of our main character and his best friend. As you recount their lives, see how their actions effect now only themselves but those around them and ultimately put entire countries if not the world at risk. It's a complex set of emotions and depth and scarily close to real world situations I have no doubt have occurred.
A really interesting read and great first foray into the sky thriller genre.
October 4, 2025
If you like a great political thriller, this is a must-read! The author's notes at the end further enhance the reading experience, and the depth of knowledge regarding the settings adds to the story's believability.
We have everything we need in this book: friendship, love, obsession, betrayal, secrets, lies, politics, and ultimately power.
What would you do for love? How far would you go to protect the ones you love?
A very well-written story. I can't wait to see what we are going to get next from Sam Guthrie.
We have everything we need in this book: friendship, love, obsession, betrayal, secrets, lies, politics, and ultimately power.
What would you do for love? How far would you go to protect the ones you love?
A very well-written story. I can't wait to see what we are going to get next from Sam Guthrie.
September 6, 2025
8/10 ⭐️. I enjoyed this thriller mainly and most likely because I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was so good, the pacing of the story was immensely fast that I didn’t have any time to analyze the timeline and find plot holes.
The main conclusion here is that it’s always stupid men ruining once again the world. 🙃
The main conclusion here is that it’s always stupid men ruining once again the world. 🙃
August 16, 2025
Book of the year
November 5, 2025
The dialog in this book is stupid and annoying. The female characters are one dimensional puppets to advance the men's stories. The plot is implausible and the characters repellant. Why this is a "hot read" I cannot say. Do better Sam Guthrie. Bleh.
January 18, 2026
The book was good and interesting but I don’t think I’m the target audience for this kind of writing.
January 10, 2026
This is a shallow echo of Secret City, and is often full of wooden dialogue and flimsy characters who are difficult to root for. An ambitious plot that wasn't executed well.
December 18, 2025
Fine, standard spy thriller. Forgettable
September 7, 2025
Didn’t enjoy this. It was overblown and melodramatic. All the not exactly the same subject matter, I think of On Java Road by Lawrence Osborne’s beautifully observed novel. That’s the book to read about Hong Kong
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