{"product_id":"9781460767313_the-peak-an-exciting-and-gripping-new-espionage-thriller-and-debut-novel-perfect-for-fans-of-john-le-carre-daniel-silva-and-robert-harris","title":"The Peak: An exciting and gripping new espionage thriller and debut novel, perfect for fans of John le Carré, Daniel Silva and Robert Harris","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e**NOW A NATIONAL BESTSELLER**\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA nailbiting and unputdownable read, \u003cem\u003eThe Peak \u003c\/em\u003eis 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.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'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.'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePolitical 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut 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?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the jostling streets of Hong Kong to Beijing's shadowy halls of power and the backstabbing Machiavellian workings of Parliament House in Canberra, \u003cem\u003eThe Peak\u003c\/em\u003e 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, \u003cem\u003eThe Peak\u003c\/em\u003e has the authenticity and moral complexity of a Le Carre novel and the narrative power of an Australian Robert Harris.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Rewrites the script for spy fiction in the 21st century' Nigel Inkster, former director for operations and intelligence for MI6\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLonglisted for the CWA John Creasey Debut Dagger Award\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePRAISE FOR \u003cem\u003eTHE PEAK\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eSam Guthrie is a born writer - this is a cracking thriller' Dervla McTiernan, \u003cem\u003eWhat Happened to Nina?\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'In this biting Australian political thriller, a scruffy political operative has his Scheherazade moment - weaving together past and present, trying to make sense of what looks a bit like the end of the world - and a cracking yarn unfolds. Guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.'  Hayley Scrivenor,  \u003cem\u003eGirl Falling\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'\u003cem\u003eThe Peak\u003c\/em\u003e is a classy and very clever contemporary thriller. There's an intriguing global dimension to the plot, which feels particularly apposite and accurate in these troubled and unsettling times.' Alex Gerlis, \u003cem\u003eThe Best of Our Spies\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'\u003c\/em\u003eA fast-moving thriller, weaving a story of friendship and betrayal with ruthless geopolitics.' Adele Parks\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Hands down the best debut of the year, this is a hugely propulsive Australian politico-spy thriller which blends the plot mechanics of a great mystery with interesting and deep characters, snappy dialogue and an espionage conspiracy ... It positively crackles and the pages turn themselves. It would make a sensational Netflix series.' \u003cem\u003espybary.com\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'\u003c\/em\u003eUnputdownable, propulsive, and explosive' Readings\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Will there be a showdown between China and the west? The answer thrills - and chills - in Sam Guthrie's addictive tale of how human passion and geopolitical intrigue might bring doomsday closer.' Professor Rana Mitter, Harvard Kennedy School\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'A twisty political thriller that asks if it's possible to really ever know your friends ... taut and fast' Alma Katsu, \u003cem\u003eRed London\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Gripping and original, a portrait of a friendship, an insight into contemporary espionage and geopolitics, with a tremendous sense of place and a central mystery that kept me turning the pages. A rare combination.' Oliver Harris, \u003cem\u003eA Shadow Intelligence\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'[An] impressive first novel ... illuminating and extremely alarming.' \u003cem\u003eLiterary Review Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Packed with lies, sex and betrayal, a compelling debut'  \u003cem\u003eDaily Mail\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Fast, furious and original' \u003cem\u003eThe Sun\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'True to life ... Sam Guthrie's own diplomatic experience adds a bit of heft to the novel's ominous undertow' \u003cem\u003eThe Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'A confident, explosive debut from an author sure to be the next big thing in the Australian thriller landscape.'  Laura McCluskey, \u003cem\u003eThe Wolf Tree\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Wow! A superb novel ... gripping from the get-go and chillingly real; a must read for fans of Le Carre and a terrifying glimpse into the very near future.' Steve Lewis, \u003cem\u003eSecret City\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReaders love \u003cem\u003eThe Peak\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'A taught and compelling tale recommended for fans of Tom Fletcher and Frederick Forsyth' real reader review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'This was everything I love in a book and I just wish there were more books like this out there' real reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'I absolutely couldn't put it down - even reading well through one night' real reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'An excellent political thriller and one heck of a debut' real reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'A fast-paced and edge-of-the-seat political thriller' real reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'This is one cracking, outstanding, excellent political thriller debut and if that's a genre you like, this is a MUST read' real reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sam Guthrie","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46905575211157,"sku":"9781460767313","price":34.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0484\/3175\/9509\/files\/9781460767313.jpg?v=1776889965","url":"https:\/\/harpercollins.com.au\/products\/9781460767313_the-peak-an-exciting-and-gripping-new-espionage-thriller-and-debut-novel-perfect-for-fans-of-john-le-carre-daniel-silva-and-robert-harris","provider":"HarperCollins AU","version":"1.0","type":"link"}