Jim’s Comments (group member since May 09, 2013)

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

The closest to me would probably be Jim Rockford of the Rockford Files. I'm a bit of a chicken when it comes to violence. I prefer to trick or talk my way out of conflicts with burly thugs. (Not that my current line of work brings me into a lot of situations involving burly thugs, but some helicopter parents do get intense.) I'm in business for myself, usually broke, and my voice mail greeting is, "This is Jim Snowden. At the tone, leave your name and message and I'll get back to you."

Of course, I drive a Volvo, not a Firebird. And I've never learned to J-Turn.

Thanks, Julie and Sara.

What's always worked for me is the combination of a protagonist with a flaw struggling against an antagonist with a point.

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..."

I've been meaning to grab a copy of White Noise. Thanks for reminding me.

Melissa wrote: "I've recently become hooked on "Leverage" - not sure if it's exactly a thriller, but has some thrilling moments :) I don't think it's been on free to air TV here in Australia, but it's on DVD."

I don't have cable, so I haven't watched too much of it, but I did catch an episode at someone else's home once. Fun show.

I've seen only one episode of Game of Thrones--I don't have cable service--so I'm not sure of its thriller bona fides. It struck me more as a combination of heroic fantasy and political drama. Of course, genres can be fluid things.

I grew up on, and frequently revisit, The Saint and The Rockford Files, and I also appreciate the classic Mission Impossible series. And of course there was The X-Files and Wiseguy. This is not an exhaustive list, just what I could think of off the top of my head.

Hey, Sarah,

I hope you enjoy the DTS chapter you downloaded, and the rest of the book for that matter.

I've never been to Picolino's. It's on the other side of town from us and in a neighborhood that's kind of a pain to get to. I did check out their website, though, and it looks tempting. My girlfriend and I might give it a try, and if we do, I'll send some pictures your way.

I am curious what led your husband to use it as a location in his book.

Sarah wrote: "Hi Jim, how's the weather in California at this time of year? We've got spectacular Autumnal blue skies mostly in Sydney - very mild - but I wonder if you have similarly mild trans-seasonal / all year weather?

Meanwhile I will check out your books some time - will look you up.

The weather in Santa Monica is very pleasant, according to the internet. Santa Monica is where I was born and did some of my growing up, but I currently live in Bellevue, WA.

The weather's pleasant here too, and will be for at least ten more hours.

1. Yes. The Spy Who Came In from the Cold
2. The 1965 version captures one of the best performances of Richard Burton's film career. So I liked it quite a lot.
3. Strange. After seeing Richard Burton play it, I can't remember what I originally pictured.
4. I know Hitchcock did an adaptation in 1936, but I'd love to see someone else tackle Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent.

Hi,

I'm Jim Snowden. I've written a couple of books (one's out, the other'll be out soon) and some short fiction.

Let's see.

1. I'm from Santa Monica, California.
2. I've valued work from a wide range of writers: Walpole, Poe, Stendahl, LeCarre, McEwan, Wilhelm, Sallis.
3. I'm not sure I'd define it as a thriller, but I'm reading Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita right now.