All Entries Tagged With: "Richard Neer"
David Baldacci – The Hit
David Baldacci’s latest is The Hit, revisiting his Will Robie character, who is tasked to eliminate a rogue CIA agent. As is usually the case in David’s novels, nothing is as it first appears. In our chat, he talks about his new film and TV series, and how he feels about America’s use of drones. This thoughtful and prolific writer also reveals plans for his next project.
Robert Crais – Suspect
Robert Crais’ editors were dismayed when he informed them that his latest work, Suspect, would not be an episode in the continuing Elvis Cole/Joe Pike line but a story about a damaged cop and his rescue dog. The publishers were pleasantly surprised when the early reviews and sales exceeded those of anything Crais had done previously. The author tells his story from the wounded cop’s perspective and in a clever turn, how that brave bomb-sniffing dog sees (or should we say, smells) matters. Dog lovers and thriller fans alike are loving this book.
Harlan Coben – Six Years
Exciting news for Harlan Coben – his new book Six Years will be made into a major motion picture starring Hugh Jackman. In our conversation, Coben discusses the book’s unique structure and how he sees it translating to film. He also shares news of his next project, as well as a couple of nuggets about his stylistic preferences.
Lee Child – One Shot
One Shot was orginally released in 1997, the ninth in Child’s Jack Reacher series. It’s been re-released in paperback to celebrate the opening of the first Reacher film— starring Tom Cruise. We discuss the controversial casting of Cruise, tentative sequel plans and Lee’s thoughts on his next book, to be issued next fall.
Doug Preston and Lincoln Child – Two Graves
The latest in Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston’s series involving rogue FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast begins with the shocking revelation that his wife Helen, long believed to be dead, has resurfaced and has contacted him. From there, it’s a rollicking adventure from Child and Preston, through the twists and turns of a globetrotting hunt for neo-Nazis. The authors discuss the manner in which they collaborate, if they ever disagree on their plot-lines and how they resolve their differences. They also reveal the title of their next effort, and plans for Preston’s The Monster of Florence to be made into a motion picture starring George Clooney.
David Baldacci – The Forgotten
In The Forgotten, the prolific David Baldacci explores modern day human slavery, a practice he asserts is currently a highly profitable criminal enterprise in certain areas of the United States. His continuing protagonist this time is army CID officer John Puller, a mountain of a man who stumbles onto the slave trade while investigating the death of a beloved aunt who resided in a fictional upscale village called Paradise on the gulf coast of the Florida panhandle. In our conversation, Baldacci reveals his future writing plans, plus some news about a film and a new TV series pilot he is working on.
Nelson DeMille – The Panther
Demille’s latest John Corey adventure is The Panther. The wisecracking former NYC cop is dispatched to Yemen with his wife to arrest or kill the terrorist behind the attack on the USS Cole. Although much of the book is set in that Middle Eastern nation, DeMille reveals that he never actually visited the country during his research period, amazing, given the way he details the geography and unwinds the baffling culture of this supposed ally in the region. The book is a real eye opener as it shows how deeply divided the Yemenis are, and how dealing with them is next to impossible by Western standards. Nelson DeMille is always on the cutting edge of intrigue involving terrorism, and emerges from our interview pessimistic about achieving long term solutions.
Harlan Coben – Seconds Away
Seconds Away is Coben’s second young adult novel, featuring Myron Bolitar’s nephew Mickey. Along with fellow outcasts Ema and Spoon, the precocious sixteen year old has found trouble again, The younger Bolitar navigates his way through a complex maze of clues, often leading him to the wrong conclusions, without involving his experienced detective uncle. In our talk, Coben discusses the pressure of turning out a book a year and how he has never reached the point where it diminishes his work, which he says he will not allow. A book that can be enjoyed by teen and adult readers alike, Coben delivers the goods to Bolitar fans.
Lee Child – A Wanted Man
A Wanted Man is the 17th novel in Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series. Lee talks about how he keeps the character fresh, and how some unconventional sources inspire his plotlines. With the December release of the film Jack Reacher starring Tom Cruise coming soon, Child opines that the controversial actor has absolutely nailed the role, and believes that Reacher fans will agree if they give it a fair viewing. He hints at the storyline for next book in the series, due next fall.
Dean Koontz – Odd Apocalypse
The prolific Dean Koontz joins us again to talk about the latest entry in his Odd Thomas series, Odd Apocalypse. Dean discusses his writing technique and how it differs from most novelists. He also reveals that an Odd Thomas film is coming soon, and how he really likes the way it has turned out, as opposed to some of his other works that have made the transition to cinema less successfully. And importantly, he reveals why, given all his success, he still writes eighty hours a week and turns out new material every few months. Interesting insights about writing always come from this gracious guest.