SSG: Spy/Spec-Ops Group discussion

Desmond Bagley! Another obscure rec for anyone seeking a solid batch of thrillers. This adventure author is said to be on par--or even better--than the likes of Alistair MaClean and Hammond Innes.

We better get cracking.

Yes indeed. I responded to you there. This group has a larger membership, perhaps someone can add to my comments.

Desmond Bagley is a must-read (books like his and Alistair Maclean's are what got me into writing adventure thrillers)! He isn't as good as the early MacClean's, but a lot better than the later, formula-driven books. They're definitely dated, though--they move a bit slowly for modern tastes and some are more mysteries than actual thrillers.

Glad to see a fan of Bagley!

But--what you assert about his pacing--hmmm. Not sure I agree. The best thriller ever written (Day of the Jackal) is still a 'slow' read...thus, I'm not sure if the 'new style thrillers' (Brad Thor, Brad Taylor, Barry Eisner, Lee Childs, Baldacci, etc) mean that anything not written in that style is necessarily 'dated'...

I read a few Bagleys. One of my favourites is Running Blind. I didn't found it particularly slow, but with its lack of modern technology, the books are 'outdated'.

That's exactly the way I prefer my thrillers

Have you read Running Blind?

Flyaway is one of my favorites. Bagley and Maclean are two of my greatest influences as a writer.

That's great! Wow!

The tightrope men is superb. For some reason it is not rated as high as Running Blind. I remember liking former lot more than the latter.

Also High Citadel, Golden Keel are great reads. Snow Tiger is not a thriller, though quite good.