The Thriller Zone

Hello and welcome to Episode #224 with host Dave Temple. It's your #1 Thriller Fiction, Film & TV Podcast where Dave interviews the giants of thriller fiction. And today, we’re happy to have #1 New York Times bestselling author, the legendary David Baldacci. David is here to chat about his latest book, "Strangers in Time!" This isn’t another legal thriller; instead, Baldacci has taken a deligh...

Get ready to dive into a whirlwind of listener love on this episode of the Thriller Zone! I’m David Temple, your trusty host, and today, we’re flipping the script a bit – instead of chatting with an author, I’m pouring over some fantastic emails from you lovely folks. Whether it’s your favorite moments from past episodes or insights from our thrilling guests, I’m here to share it all. Like, Tammy’...

On today's 222nd episode of the world-famous Thriller Zone, host Dave Temple sits down with New York Times bestselling author Adrian McKinty, creator of the Sean Duffy Series. Together, they’re diving deep into the thrilling world of storytelling and chatting about the magic of writing first drafts and how every aspiring author should just finish that story, no matter how messy it gets. Adrian, a...

On today's 221st and BONUS episode of The Thriller Zone, I dive into the nitty-gritty of the publishing world with my good friend Mark Gottlieb, Senior VP and top literary agent at Trident Media Group. I'm your host Dave Temple, and Mark is back to drop some serious knowledge bombs about what it takes to make it as an author in today’s thriller-happy market. We chat about the importance of having...

Join host Dave Temple for episode #220 as he takes us on a wild and thrilling ride in the world of crime fiction as we chat with the incredibly talented Nick Kolakowski! Nick has a new book out, "Where the Bones Lie," that’s packed with dark humor and gripping storytelling. He shares his journey from travel journalist to novelist, revealing how his experiences shape his characters and plots—like a...

On today's 219th episode of The Thriller Zone with host Dave Temple, we dive into the world of thrillers with New York Times bestselling author Eric Rickstad. This show is like a rollercoaster ride through the dark alleys of crime fiction, and Eric’s latest book, 'Remote the Six', isn't just another run-of-the-mill serial killer tale; it’s a captivating blend of FBI drama and the uncanny world of...

On today's 218th episode of The Thriller Zone with Dave Temple, we're diving into the heart of thriller fiction as we chat with Ryan Steck, The Real Book Spy, and Byrdie Bell, the daughter of the late Ted Bell, a New York Times Bestselling author. We launch discussing "Monarch," the new thriller penned by Steck which respects the legacy of Ted’s iconic Alex Hawke series. I for one, feel it's a dee...

On today's 217th episode, we’re diving into the mind of the legendary Marshall Karp, a true master of the thriller genre and co-author with the great James Patterson. You’re in for a genuine treat as we unpack Karp's latest book, "Don't Tell Me How to Die," a gripping tale about a woman on a mission to secure her family’s future after receiving a terminal diagnosis. Karp is known for his sharp sto...

Thriller writer Tess Gerritsen, the brilliant mind behind over 30 award-winning novels, is back on our podcast, and we're diving headfirst into her latest gem, "The Summer Guest," here on our 216th episode of Season 8; perhaps our best season yet! Right off the bat, Tess shares her magical writing process, where her characters practically write themselves—talk about a fun twist on the typical writ...

On today's 215th episode, host Dave Temple is diving into the wild world of C.J. Box's latest thrill ride, Battle Mountain, the 25th installment in his Joe Pickett series. Can you believe it? Twenty-five! That’s like a silver anniversary for books! In a conversational style that feels like eavesdropping on a couple of good friends catching up, this episode of the Thriller Zone podcast takes us beh...

On today's 214th episode of The Thriller Zone with Dave Temple, we're diving deep into the thrilling world of writing with none other than Mark Greaney, the mastermind behind the Gray Man series, and his latest page-turner, "Midnight Black." I'm so pleased that Mark carved out time for a fourth appearance on the Thriller Zone, and let me tell you, it’s a blast! As you can imagine, his new book Mid...

On today's 213th episode of The Thriller Zone, we're doing something just a little bit differently. You see I recorded this episode with the lovely and talented Ashley Erwin nearly three years ago...April 2022, to be exact. Long story short, I pushed it aside to edit it, while waiting for the book to drop, and, well, the book got delayed, I misplaced the show file, and wouldn't you know I found th...

This 212th episode of the Thriller Zone hosted by Dave Temple, features a captivating interview with Scott Turow, the legendary author known for his contributions to the legal thriller genre. Scott, known as the pioneering author of legal thrillers, discusses his latest novel, "Presumed Guilty," which continues the story of Rusty Savage from his ground-breaking bestseller, "Presumed Innocent." The...

On today's 211th episode of the #1 thriller podcast, The Thriller Zone, host Dave Temple welcomes the literary titan James Patterson, marking a significant highlight in the podcast's eighth season. The two scribes dive into the world of thriller fiction, discussing Patterson's illustrious career, which includes a staggering number of bestsellers and a unique blend of characters like Holmes, Marple...

Welcome to the 3rd annual Dave & Tammy Year-End Extravaganza! This special episode features our favorite Top Ten lists, where we dive into the best books, audiobooks, films, and television series of the year. Join us as we celebrate the stories that captivated us, from thrilling novels to heartwarming films, all while sharing our personal insights and experiences. Tammy, my wonderful wife and...

On today's 209th episode of The Thriller Zone, the conversation unfolds with host David Temple welcoming back Adam Hamdy, an acclaimed author whose latest work, 'Deadbeat', is the focal point of their engaging dialogue. As they reminisce about their previous interactions, Temple expresses his admiration for Hamdy's unique storytelling abilities and narrates how much he has grown as a writer since...

From CIA to Novelist: David McCloskey & The Art of Espionage On today’s 208th episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple welcomes back former CIA analyst and author David McCloskey to discuss his latest thriller, The Seventh Floor.  The conversation explores the intersection of social media and author branding, the development of McCloskey's protagonist Artemis Proctor, and the balan...

On today's 207th episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple interviews New York Times bestselling author Danielle Trussoni about her latest thriller, 'The Puzzle Box.' Together, their engaging conversation covers the inspiration behind the book, the unique character of Mike Brink, and the cultural influences from Trussoni's time in Japan. The dialogue explores themes of power, gender, and the...

On today’s 206th episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple welcomes back author Jack Stewart to discuss his latest work in the Battleborn series, particularly the third book, Bogey Spades.  The conversation delves into Jack's experiences as a military pilot, insights from the Top Gun movies, and the realities of aviation training. They also explore Jack's writing process, his aspiration...

On today’s 205th episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple welcomes back author Steve Urszenyi to discuss his latest book, 'Out in the Cold.'  The conversation explores Steve's journey as a writer, the development of his female protagonist Alex Martel, and the themes of isolation and resilience in his work.  Temple and Urszenyi also delve into the importance of research in writing, Steve's l...

On today’s 204th episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple engages with bestselling author Robert Dugoni, exploring his journey as a writer, the intricacies of storytelling, and the challenges of adapting books for Hollywood.  With 4 different series, 6 complete stand-alone novels, and a couple of short stories to boot, Bob is a critically acclaimed New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washi...

On today’s 203rd episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple welcomes author Taylor Moore to discuss his latest book, Cold Trail.  The conversation covers Taylor's experiences at BoucherCon, family updates, and insights into the writing process. Taylor also shares the journey of creating Garrett Kohl’s character and the intertwining themes of adventure and heart in his storytelling.  Their dis...

On today’s 202nd episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple welcomes Andrew Child, who discusses his writing process, the appeal of the Jack Reacher character, and the collaborative effort with his brother, Lee Child.  They delve into the simplicity of Reacher's adventures, the importance of reader engagement, and the significance of cover design in storytelling. Andrew also shares insights i...

On today’s 201st episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple welcomes debut author Ryan C. Coleman to discuss his novel 'Billy the Kid.'  Together, Dave and Ryan explore Ryan's journey from Chicago to Los Angeles, his transition from television writing to novel writing, and the inspiration behind his book.  The conversation delves into the blending of fact and fiction in storytelling, the them...

In this celebratory 200th episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple engages in a lively conversation with Ryan Steck, widely known as the Real Book Spy. They reflect on the evolution of the thriller genre, the impact of influential authors like Ted Bell, and the challenges of navigating the publishing landscape.  The discussion also highlights the importance of passion in writing, the realit...