Shaun Goldsmith Unveils The Spire And His Mastery Of Crafting Intelligent Thrillers

Award-winning author Shaun Goldsmith, creator of The Spire, whose intelligent thrillers captivate readers with suspenseful twists and authentic detail.

Award-Winning Author Shares Inspirations, Writing Process, And The Secrets Behind His Gripping Mystery

Shaun Goldsmith discusses his acclaimed thriller The Spire, blending mystery, suspense, and realism. He reflects on influences, character creation, screenwriting, and offers invaluable advice for aspiring writers in his Reader’s House interview.

Shaun Goldsmith has swiftly established himself as a leading name in detective fiction and espionage thrillers. His acclaimed novel The Spire combines mystery, suspense, and meticulous storytelling, earning praise from Kirkus as “a fine whodunit full of satisfying twists.” Known for his intricate plots and compelling characters, Goldsmith creates intelligent thrillers that are as thought-provoking as they are page-turning. His unique background, from military service with top-secret clearance to teaching English in the Middle East, adds depth and authenticity to his writing.

“Knowing the rules allows you to break them.” – Shaun Goldsmith

Building Intricate Plots
Goldsmith revealed that The Spire drew inspiration from Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, though he set his locked-room style mystery in a luxury skyscraper. His aim was not a traditional whodunit but rather a howcatchem, carefully crafted through techniques such as step outlines and reverse plotting. Determined to ground the story in realism, Goldsmith infused it with the paranoia of All the President’s Men and the haunting authenticity of In Cold Blood. The result is a thriller that balances sharp suspense with gritty realism.

Balancing Genres and Suspense
Blending elements of mystery, thriller, and police procedural required a precise understanding of genre rules. Goldsmith emphasises that writers must know conventions in order to bend or break them. Pacing, he explained, is critical, citing the “Fleming sweep” used by Ian Fleming to propel readers forward with relentless tension. Yet, Goldsmith insists that mystery writing must remain fair—authors must equip readers with the clues necessary to solve the crime, ensuring genuine engagement rather than deception.

Creating Realistic Characters
The protagonist of The Spire, ‘Diamond’ Mike Vogel, was crafted to avoid clichés. Goldsmith drew on both real detectives and literary figures to shape his character but steered away from making him a superhuman sleuth in the mould of Sherlock Holmes. Instead, he wanted an authentic detective, flawed yet human, someone readers could connect with beyond the archetype of the all-knowing investigator.

From Page to Screen
Goldsmith’s creative reach extends beyond novels. His screenplay Cold Autumn is currently in development, and he sees both forms as equally valid but distinct. “A screenplay is a blueprint,” he explained, bound by brevity and visual storytelling, while novels allow exploration of a character’s inner world. Regardless of medium, Goldsmith insists that rhythm and flow are paramount—boring the reader is the ultimate sin of writing.

Advice for Aspiring Writers
For those looking to follow in his footsteps, Goldsmith advises careful planning. Echoing Agatha Christie, he suggests starting with the murder and building the story around the villain’s motives. Preparation, perseverance, and passion are essential. Most of all, he encourages writers to enjoy the process: “Love the writing you do. In the end, whatever fiction we write, we’re all writing some sort of fairytale.”

Originally published in Reader’s House Magazine.