Classic and Contemporary Thriller Writers Celebrated

June 14, 2011

Daphne du Maurier, John le Carré and Tom Rob Smith all feature on a prestigious list of 20 Core Classic and Contemporary Thriller titles compiled by Library Journal.

Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier’s most famous novel, is hailed as a classic thriller. With its haunting combination of psychological suspense and gothic romance, and its now legendary opening line, “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again…,” du Maurier’s bestseller has captivated readers since its original publication in 1938.

The 1963 publication of John le Carré’s masterpiece The Spy Who Came in From the Cold introduced a new era in spy novels, inspired by the author’s inside knowledge from years of working in British intelligence. Set during the Cold War in 1960s Berlin, this is the story of Alec Leamas, a world-weary agent sent on one last mission—to bring down the head of East German intelligence. While the Iron Curtain may be gone, le Carré’s story remains a classic.

Tom Rob Smith’s debut novel Child 44 is featured on the Contemporary Thrillers list. The first of a trio of novels featuring MGB officer Leo Demidov, Tom Rob’s Smith’s dark and brooding thriller is a compelling tale of one man’s struggle to maintain his beliefs and idealism in the face of the ultimate challenge of having to define where loyalty lies and where redemption can be found.