Friday 15 February 2013

Enjoying The Best Spy Thrillers Again And Again

By Paula Barron


People have, since the printing press was invented, always been enthralled by stories of great mysteries and espionage. A thriller is a captivating medium that holds the reader or watcher spellbound, often scared out of their wits but never putting down the novel or encouraged to stop watching. Culture backgrounds and education levels may influence opinions but some popular suspense writers have transcended these boundaries and are universally popular. These writers have for decades enthralled and entertained people with their best spy thrillers.

The film industry has played a big role in boosting and promoting interest in spies and suspense. Many world bestselling books have forever been commemorated through block buster movie renditions. In some instances playing a leading role in one of these movies has been the making of an actor. In the case of Sean Connery it took him a long time to shake off the 007 type casting.

The list of authors quoted by various publications as the most popular and famous for this type of genre is wide and varied. It ranges from the Baroness Orczy who wrote the Scarlet Pimpernel in 1903 to Jeffery Deaver who has written the latest James Bond novel Carte Blanche published in 2011. Annually there is a multitude of spy novels published. World-wide these prolific authors have millions of faithful followers who slavishly follow the exploits, antics and lives of their favorite spies.

But the trend setter and in a class of his own must surely be Bond, James Bond. The death of the creator of this suave menacing spy of note did little to prevent other famous authors being commissioned to write further stories involving Ian Fleming's 007. Bond continues to enthrall even more than 50 years after the first book and movie Dr No.

The list may vary from the written word to film but spies such as Bond, Bourne and George Smilely remain popular with both mediums. John Buchan's The Thirty-Nine Steps was a thrilling tale. It has been accorded the honor of being one of the forerunners on which the later famous spies were based.

Others who have carried the flag and promoted this genre include Len Deighton, Ken Follett, Frederick Forsythe, Graham Greene and Ira Levine. Not all the well known movies of thrilling suspense are based on books. There are a few top notch films that are continually re-screened decades after their first release. Among those are classics like Charade, Ipcress File, North By North West and Three Days of the Condor.

Men and women of all ages find this type of book a must read on a regular basis. Authors both new and established cater to this demand and the annual launches of newly published books are awaited with baited breathe. The plots and counter plots at times become extremely involved and this is one mystery genre where the butler is not the guilty party.

But the best spy thrillers most often listed in surveys remain that of James Bond and Jason Bourne. Interesting to note that they both have initials JB. Coincidence or is there a possible suspense tale in that. As each generation become readers of suspense fiction suspense they draw new followers. Judging by the wealth of choice available this style of writing and movie is alive and well.




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