Chris’s Comments (group member since May 06, 2013)

Chris’s comments from the Thriller Chat with Chris Allen group.

Steve, please let me know if I can assist. I'd be more than happy to try to connect you with the right people. Cheers, Chris

Hi guys, thanks so much for joining in. I believe a share your views that everyone's journey is very different and personal, and I absolutely agree that military service is not a prerequisite for writing action thrillers. One thing I would like to point out though is that two of the authors you've mentioned Samuel, did in fact have military experience. I believe Frederick Forsyth served as an RAF Jet fighter pilot and Robert Ludlum served as a US Marine.

Steve wrote: "Thanks Sarah - I've been forced to consume almost a quarter of it just today! If Interpol can send an agent or two from REHAB, that might help ;)"

LIKE

Steve wrote: "Thanks Sarah - I've been forced to consume almost a quarter of it just today! If Interpol can send an agent or two from REHAB, that might help ;)"

Hi Steve, in all seriousness, I can't tell you how pleased I am that you're enjoying it so much! Now finish the book - food & sleep await!

Good luck in the latest Hunter giveaway! Don't miss out!

Spot on Jim! Would only add 'expectation coupled with anxiety' adds to your equation for me - you know what you want from a thriller, but you also bed that feeling in your gut as you're reading!

Hey thanks Julie and Steve, it was a fun online event and I have to say, if anyone around the globe ever wants to do a book Club and Facebook Chat I'm up for it!!

Here's a blog round up of the Q&A from the night via @thatbookyoulike on Twitter:

“@thatbookyoulike: Sharing our Meet Chris Allen event if you missed it Monday, take a look! @IntrepidAllen @brightsea @momentumbooks http://wp.me/p1iQpY-20v”

Good question Steve, it's often the case when rights to books are sold into film, the author loses control over the end version of the film (unless they are JK Rowling) and there can be a disconnect between the book version and screen version of the book. Many of the Bond films barely even resemble the stories Fleming wrote. The only denominator was character names and titles! So for real fans of the books like myself that is a disappointment not to see his mastery of the language and storytelling taken to the big screen. You Only Live Twice is a great example where villainous spaceships and a hollowed out volcano doubling as the baddies hideout bear zero resemblance to the Garden of Death so cleverly described in the original novel. Don't even talk to me about Octopussy. That's my two cents worth!! Chris

Madeline wrote: "Julie wrote: "Madeline wrote: "Hi! My name (as you can see) is Madeline, but you may call me Maddie if you wish. I have always loved reading scary stories and watching scary movies, so I am happy t..."

Hi Maddie, Chris here. Thanks so much for sharing your favourite thrillers. It's a great list with many of my own favourites, including Conan Doyle, Brown and Grisham. I absolutely agree with you on Bram Stoker's Dracula. His use of journal entries and personal letters to convey the fear and terror underpinning the titular character was masterful. Very best, Chris

Hi all,

While I'm in London for a week of meetings, and off to LA next week, I'd like to hear which of your favourite thriller / crime / action novels would make great serialised TV. So it could be a series character, or a stand alone novel that you think could be developed into a series.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Best, Chris

I'll look up Leverage too Melissa... and Game of Thrones has been required watching since the beginning of time, it now feels like. Could be a good breather I can take between writing chapters?

I'm in London at the moment and (said with Cockney accent) I got no tee vee connection in the flat. So I'm not enjoyin nuffin. Howzat for a frilla, Guv?

No seriously, the other one I'd have to nominate is Elementary. I love the US take on the UK classic, the quirky weirdness of the main characters, and the contemporary feel brought to the thriller / crime stories.

I'd like to know what you're enjoying on the small screen with a thriller bent.

For me, Hawaii-50 has recently been put on the backburner in Australia which is a shame, as I really enjoyed watching Alex O'Loughlin playing Steve McGarrett. He did a good job and he could even play Alex Morgan one day soon!

What are you watching?

Best, Chris

Hi Jim,

I have friends who live in Sunset Hill in Seattle, overlooking the Olympic Mountain and Puget Sound. As a consequence of using Google Earth to research the area I thought the area fitted the Hunter storyline ie for Judge Madeleine Clancy (from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia) to live there. The cafe then came into the picture via online research. Pretty cool what you can visualize from a writing cave in Sydney with thanks to high speed Internet!

If you ever venture that way a picture of you at the venue would be very cool.

Best, Chris

Hi Jim,

I couldn't agree more re Burton's performance. I saw the film many years ago and then recently found it again via iTunes. I enjoyed it even more this time around. i think the fact that it was in Black & White added to the undercurrent bleakness. Re Conrad's 'The Secret Agent', I bought the book in a second hand store years ago and, I'm ashamed to admit, have yet to read it. You've now prompted me to make a priority over the coming months. Nice chatting with you. Chris

Julie wrote: "Chris wrote: "The first thriller I ever read was The Wooden Horse -- I was about 12-13 at the time.

At that age, I was really interested in a lot of stories of WWII, particularly the stories that..."

No, not recently Julie but it is well worth a read.

Hi Jim, nice to meet you. Look forward to sharing thoughts. LeCarre is a favourite of mine. Cheers, Chris

G'day Jerry and Alan, great to have you aboard. It looks like we all enjoy many of the same authors. I look forward to chatting with you. Cheers, Chris

G'day Alan, I read the Biggles books. They were fantastic. Real old school adventure. In fact, I've been buying old Biggles books as I find them for my boys. I also recently managed to find a new imprint Biggles omnibus and it now sits on my 3 year old son Morgan's book shelf. I'm a huge fan of Ludlum & Clancy too, and I read The Miko by Van Lustbader many years ago.

Melissa, I think it's great that you're introducing your kids to stuff that you loved to read as a child. Keep those bookshelves stocked!

That's great Steve. Thank you. The non fiction book sounds worth a read - I will look it up? Fantastic hearing from you mate. All the best.