Tom Rob Smith on 20 Years Together, Love Stories, Writing Endings and Why This Book Is So Personal

Tom Rob Smith, best known for his gripping spy thrillers like the Child 44 trilogy, makes a bold and deeply personal departure with his new book, 20 Years Together—a love story rooted in his own 13-year relationship and the complex, almost philosophical question of whether to marry when same-sex marriage became legal in the UK. What begins as a quiet exploration of intimacy, identity, and the weight of tradition evolves into a profound meditation on hope, vulnerability, and the emotional labor of long-term love. Smith reveals that writing this book was far more emotionally taxing than any thriller, requiring him to step back and rework it with cold objectivity after a year-long pause. He draws a striking parallel between the suspense in his spy fiction and the quiet tension of a relationship questioning its own future: 'the mystery of who we are' becomes the most compelling narrative engine. Despite the emotional toll, he found catharsis in crafting a story that feels both intimate and universal, one that resonates with readers who’ve experienced love’s quiet, enduring power. The book’s emotional core is anchored in 2012 London—post-recession, pre-Olympics—a time of fragile national hope that mirrors the personal optimism Smith sought to capture. He reflects on how even the most epic stories thrive when they’re grounded in intimate truth, a principle he’s long practiced, whether in Soviet-era thrillers or the real-life trauma behind The Assassination of Gianni Versace.