Interview With Author Sophy Smythe
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Sophy Smythe and I’m the doctor-turned-author of fast-paced medical thrillers that explore the dark intersection of medicine, technology, and power. Before becoming a full-time novelist, I was a doctor with extensive experience in the medical industry. My work blends emotional depth with scientific accuracy and cinematic tension, creating stories that are as thought-provoking as they are impossible to put down.
My breakout novel, The Medical Code, was praised for its chillingly realistic portrayal of unethical research in healthcare and global pharmaceutical corruption. My upcoming thriller, The Troublemaker (October 9, 2025), follows Dr. Charlie Martens—a whistleblower who believes exposing tainted medicine will save lives, only to trigger a deadly conspiracy that could end hers.
I live in Antwerp with my two dogs and a growing stack of FOIA files, which often inspire my plots. I’m currently working on The Hellraiser, the next installment in my interconnected medical thriller universe. My books are perfect for fans of Dan Brown, Robin Cook, and smart thrillers with a conscience.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Troublemaker, releasing on October 9, 2025. The inspiration came from a real-life medical scandal: the 2012 U.S. fungal meningitis outbreak linked to the New England Compounding Center (NECC). Contaminated methylprednisolone acetate (MPA), an injectable steroid, caused 793 confirmed cases of harm across the country, and tragically, more than 100 people died.
The NECC owner and four employees were later convicted, but for me, the deeper question was—what happens when those responsible for saving lives are the ones endangering them? That seed of truth became the foundation for a fictional conspiracy thriller that’s terrifying precisely because it could happen again.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
People often ask, “Why would a medical doctor write thrillers?”
Here’s the truth:
To paraphrase T.S. Eliot, healthcare is “a wilderness of mirrors.” After decades in medicine, I’ve seen and heard stories I can never share—because of doctor-patient privilege, confidentiality, or simply because some truths are too disturbing.
So I do the next best thing:
I take a real medical scandal.
I dissect it.
I reassemble it into a story that grips, shocks, and makes you think.
Every thriller I write is grounded in fact—but you’ll never quite know where the truth ends and the fiction begins. As Salman Rushdie said: “When a baby is born, the first thing he asks for is love and care and food. When that is provided, he asks: Tell me a story.”
That’s what I do—tell stories that let us face the frightening realities of medicine through the safe lens of fiction.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dan Brown for his intricate conspiracies, Robin Cook for his medical authenticity, and Wilbur Smith for his sweeping, high-stakes adventure.
What are you working on now?
I’m deep into writing The Hellraiser, the third book in the Charlie Martens, MD series—a tense, morally complex medical conspiracy thriller.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I rely on a combination of social media storytelling, targeted email marketing, and securing reviews from respected newspapers and book bloggers. Each channel helps me connect directly with readers who love high-stakes, intelligent thrillers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the story only you can tell. Don’t chase trends—by the time you catch them, they’ll be gone. Instead, focus on mastering your craft, understanding your audience, and being consistent. And most importantly, finish the book—perfectionism kills more novels than writer’s block ever could.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Write the book you want to read, not the book you think will sell.” Authentic passion is contagious, and readers can feel when you’re telling the truth—even in fiction.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading Fire on the Horizon by Wilbur Smith and Imogen Robertson—a gripping historical adventure that blends vivid characters with high-stakes drama.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing The Hellraiser is my top priority. It’s an ambitious story that pushes Dr. Charlie Martens into even darker territory, and I can’t wait to share it with readers.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
• Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown
• Red Notice by Bill Browder
• Cell by Robin Cook
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