On this 114th " micro-episode " of The Thriller Zone, yours truly gives you a super brief update of where #TheTZ stands as it pertains to the New Year. In short, (1) our guest authors will join us to record on Mondays, (2) then those new shows will now drop on Wednesdays, (3) authors of all ranks, that's self-pub'd, newbies, or New York Times Bestsellers, can now advertise on our podcast! With super reasonable rates, just a very few rules, and lots of exposure, this seems to be a terrific way fo...
Jan 03, 2023•5 min•Season 4Ep. 114
On today's 113th Episode of The Thriller Zone, we celebrate 2022 with THE DAVE & TAMMY TOP 10 YEAR END EXTRAVAGANZA! Today’s show is extra fun because I get to spend it with my beautiful and talented wife, Tammy. By the way, it just so happens we’ll be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary tomorrow; so, there's an extra reason to celebrate. Our show will highlight some of the very best entertainment we’ve enjoyed this past year. That includes our “ Top 10 Favorite Books, TV Series and Movi...
Dec 29, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 113
On today's 112th episode of The Thriller Zone, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Bradley Somer, the talented author of Extinction. You're going to be surprised at how interesting this chat ends up being. Brad is smart, engaging, and perhaps one of the most prepared authors I've had the pleasure of interviewing. Extinction is getting rave reviews from authors from around the world. Tim Lebbon, New York Times bestselling author of Eden, calls it, "A beautiful tale of hope in the face of hopelessnes...
Dec 22, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 112
On today's 111th episode of The Thriller Zone we welcome C. Matthew Smith. His debut thriller is called TWENTY MILE and takes place in the backwoods of the Great Smoky Mountains. Matt's sense of place, cast of characters, and visceral feel of the country where murder and mystery take place is evidence this writer has a lot more gas in his tank. Join us as we talk about life in the South, what it takes to be a writer these days, we'll discover how we both have more than a several "degrees of sepa...
Dec 15, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 111
On today's 110th episode of The Thriller Zone, I'm pleased to welcome W. C. Ryan, to the podcast. William has written a historically rich mystery/thriller that not only engrosses the reader, but impressed the critics. In fact, William has recently seen The Winter Guest place in the Top 100 Books of 2022, as voted by The Globe and Mail. Here are several impressive blurbs I’d like to share: Jane Casey, Sunday Times bestselling & award-winning author, calls it, "A perfectly crafted mystery—and ...
Dec 08, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 110
On today's 109th episode of The Thriller Zone, my special guest is Tom Colgan, VP and Editorial Director at Penguin USA (Berkley). In the interest of learning more about the BUSINESS of writing, I wanted to talk with one of the biggest dudes in the game. And having met and hosted MANY of the rock-star authors he works with (there's a list inside the show), I thought it would be super cool to hang out with him, and learn what he knows. I think you're going to be very impressed with his list of ac...
Dec 01, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 109
On today's 108th episode of the world famous Thriller Zone, we welcome horror thriller writer Philip Fracassi, with his new epic-sized thriller called A Child Alone With Strangers . I say epic because it clocks in just shy of 600 white-knuckler pages. And if you're not familiar with PF, like I wasn't, then you're in for a real treat. Think: Stephen King, but slightly different. Okay, there are other comparisons, but that's the one that gets to the point quickly. Our conversation is vivid, and sw...
Nov 24, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 108
On today's 107th* episode of The Thriller Zone, I'm happy to introduce you to Lisa Ballantyne, author of many psychological thrillers. Today's conversation will be around her latest thriller, The Innocent One, a twisted tale of childhood misery and a murder. Join me as Lisa and I chat about life in Scotland, our writing processes, and what it's like to dive into the dark side of humanity. I'm sure there's something you'll learn, while enjoying a charming conversation between two "normal people" ...
Nov 17, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 107
On today's Surprise Spontaneous On-Location 106th Episode of The Thriller Zone, my guest is Matt Coyle. Matt's latest Rick Cahill Thriller, Doomed Legacy, is available now. I spoke with Matt on location at Warwick's Bookstore in La Jolla, CA, just moments before we went on stage to present to the audience his latest masterpiece. As I said, the moment was spontaneous, the episode is shorter than most, but it was an experiment of sorts to see how interviewing and producing on the fly, but "not exa...
Nov 16, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 106
On today's 105th Episode of The Thriller Zone we welcome the legendary author and screenwriter, Robert Crais. His latest Elvis Cole & Joe Pike thriller is "Racing The Light," and it promises to jump off the shelves, as it packs all the regular punches that fans of Crais have come to admire. This is my first sit-down with Bob, but it was even more enjoyable than I could have imagined, as he offers so many Hollywood insights you can't find most anyplace else. If you like fast moving pages, ful...
Nov 10, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 105
On today's 104th Episode of The Thriller Zone, we kick off the month of November with TV Host of Homicide Hunters, and author of Killer Triggers, the world-renowned Joe Kenda. With 387 murder cases spanning 23 years under his belt, with a success close rate of 92%, it's easy to see why Joe Kenda is more than just an average cop. As a decorated Lieutenant., Joe has seen it all, as you'll hear in this up close and personal podcast. *Please Note: There are a few "offensive words" used in the show, ...
Nov 03, 2022•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 104
On today's 103rd Episode of The Thriller Zone, I'm pleased (and laughing already) to have the super talent Samantha "You Can Call Her Sam" Bailey to talk about her thriller Watch Out For Her. Sam and I have a "hoot'n a half" as we dive into the writing process, crafting "commercial fiction," what it takes and HOW LONG it takes to make a hit, and much more. Several "special mentions" include: Amina Akhtar (if you're watching, you'll enjoy the easter eggs in the video), her sidekick Mr. Beanie, an...
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 103
On today's 102nd Episode of The Thriller Zone, I'm honored to have the lovely and brilliant author Wanda M. Morris behind our microphones for the second time. Wanda is one of those people the minute you meet her, you feel as though you've known her all your life. She's kind, gracious, approachable, and a mad talented writer. Not only that, and besides the fact you'll really learn something listening to this podcast, she makes you feel GOOD. She does that for me, anyway. On today's episode she sh...
Oct 27, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 102
On today's BONUS Episode of The Thriller Zone, I'm happy to welcome Haris Orkin to the podcast. Haris has written a fun book called You Only Live Once. If you're a fan of the Ian Fleming character, James Bond, but also enjoy parody stories, then you're in for a treat with this fun read. Haris and I have less than 6 degrees of separation, as I used to follow his dad, Orkin, "back in the day" when I was on the radio. & Bert, one of the biggest, most well-known duos on the radio for comedy, was...
Oct 24, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 101
Today, we celebrate an epic milestone, as we launch our 100th Episode of The Thriller Zone. Woo-Hoo! Yeah, we're stoked! Who better to help celebrate the " Mighty 100 " but the co-author of one of the most iconic thriller franchises in the world: Jack Reacher . Yes, Andrew Child and brother Lee Child have penned yet another page-turning thriller in NO PLAN B. On today's show, we dig deep on what makes this franchise the success it is. We also learn, thanks to the free-flowing thoughts of Andrew,...
Oct 20, 2022•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 100
We are "this close" to hitting 100 episodes. But until we do, we have the super-talented thriller writer, Simon Gervais on Today's 99th episode of The Thriller Zone. Simon is just one of the latest writers in the Robert Ludlum thriller franchise, and he shows his stuff in this white-knuckle thriller that will keep you turning pages until deep into the night. Or nights. The Blackbriar Genesis is part of the Jason Bourne world, but with a new twist! Listen as Simon and I break down what it takes t...
Oct 13, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 99
On today's 98th episode of The Thriller Zone, we welcome New York Times Bestselling Author, Riley Sager. Riley is the mastermind behind The House Across The Lake, a thriller with "A Hitchcockian premise that is given an exciting new spin," according to NYT Bestselling author, Alex Michaelides, author of The Silent Patient. On today's show, Riley and I dig deep into what makes a thriller such a page-turner, and--without giving away any secrets--discuss some of the tricks to crafting a novel peopl...
Oct 06, 2022•56 min•Season 1Ep. 98
On today's 97th Episode of The Thriller Zone, we welcome a return guest: J Todd Scott, author of The Flock. Todd returns with an off-the-beaten path departure from his ordinary fare, but trust us folks, he has a hit on his hands! If you enjoy wildly-engaging thrillers with multiple viewpoints, simultaneous timelines, and topics ripped from today's headlines, you'll devour Todd's newest thriller, The Flock. Inside the show, Todd introduces me to several prolific artists I wasn't familiar with, bu...
Sep 29, 2022•56 min•Season 1Ep. 97
On today's 96th Episode of The Thriller Zone, I'm 101% jazzed to welcome THE Adam Hamdy, author of many epic thrillers, and the very latest The Other Side of Night. In this show, Adam and I of course chat about the book, we refer to some of his other books, much different than this one, but we also veer off the beaten path. Several times. And for me? Those "off the beaten path" moments are among my very favorite. Why? Because it's "real conversation" from two "dudes" who greatly admire one anoth...
Sep 22, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 96
On today's 95th Episode of The Thriller Zone, we welcome debut author Connor Sullivan. His first thriller, Sleeping Bear, has taken the world by storm. And after nearly 5+ years in the making, the public will soon learn the vast amount of talent this guy from Montana has up his sleeve. We talk about Connor's book, what it was like growing up in beautiful Montana, and what it's like having a famous and bestselling author for a father (and perhaps the challenge of living in that shadow), plus much...
Sep 19, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 95
On today's 94th episode of The Thriller Zone, stellar author and political specialist David Pepper joins the show to talk about his latest thriller A Simple Choice . Hillary Rodham Clinton says, "David Pepper has written another thriller ripped from the headlines." Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, says, "Pepper comes through again with this clever tale of how cyber sabotage of elections, coupled with highly concentrated ownership of traditional media operations, can undermine American...
Sep 15, 2022•59 min•Season 1Ep. 94
Today's 93rd episode of The Thriller Zone is special and slightly off the beaten path. I say this because today we will meet a total of not one, but EIGHT of the world's best mystery & thriller writers. Visiting us today is Andrew Child, Don Bruns, John Gilstrap, Reed Farrel Coleman, Heather Graham, Amanda Flower, Rick Bleiweiss, and Jennifer Graeser Dornbush. Their mystery-thriller short story compilation is themed around one of the most popular bands of all times, and one of their most pop...
Sep 08, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 93
On today's 92nd Episode of The Thriller Zone, we not only celebrate Labor Day Weekend here in the US, but we're providing a Bonus Episode of this podcast. Today, we meet Super Agent Gina Panettieri. It's been fun to branch out in the world of Thriller Fiction, and today we have a special treat as we get the inside scoop on the world of Agenting. Gina is the President of Talcott-Notch Literary, in Milford, CT. I have several friends whom she represents, and they say she's kind, hard-working, and ...
Sep 05, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 92
Today's special guest on the 91st Episode of The Thriller Zone is none other than New York Times Bestselling Author Faye Kellerman, the mastermind behind nearly three dozen bestselling thriller novels. With oodles of hits, over a span of several decades, Faye Kellerman has become synonymous with page-turning, character-driven, plot-twisting novels that keep avid fans reading deep into the night. On today's show, we discuss: having a prolific husband as a NYT Bestselling author, two children, bot...
Sep 01, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 91
On today's 90th Episode of The Thriller Zone, Landon Beach and his audiobook narrator friend, Scott Brick, join me to talk about Landon's latest thriller, Narrator. Landon is known for his Sunrise-Side Private Investigator Mystery Series, and Scott is known as one of the premier audiobook narrators in the world. Together, they've formed both a friendship, and a working relationship where both talents serve one another. To learn more visit: LandonBeachBooks.com and ScottBrick.net. As always, SUBS...
Aug 29, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 90
Today's 89th Episode of The Thriller Zone welcomes New York Times Bestselling Author, David Ellis. As though that superlative title isn't enough, David is also an Edgar-Award Winner. This podcast will go down in my books as one of my favorites. Why? Call it the sharing of similar interests, two guys enjoying chatting about their favorite things, like Chicago, football, good old-fashioned terrestrial radio, and of course, our mutual appreciation for really good books. David has written a whopper ...
Aug 25, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 89
On today's 88th Episode of The Thriller Zone, we welcome Halley Sutton, a relative newcomer to the thriller zone; although you'd never know it by her thriller, The Lady Upstairs. The reason I say that is because this "freshman debut" is anything but naive. Instead, it's rich, propulsive, and so Chandler-esque, I dare you to put it down. Halley lives and writes in Los Angeles, and has such a solid sense of what works that it's easy to see how she'll be one of those writers we'll be hearing from f...
Aug 22, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 88
On today's 87th episode of The Thriller Zone, I'm stoked to welcome national bestselling author Nick Petrie to the show. His runaway hit, The Runaway (sorry, I couldn't help myself) is one of those rare books you just have a hard time putting down. Seriously, I devoured it in record time. The only bad thing? I didn't want it to end. Nick is an accomplished writer of the Peter Ash Series, someone who Lee Child has said, "Lots of characters get compared to my own Jack Reacher, but Peter Ash is the...
Aug 18, 2022•59 min•Season 1Ep. 87
On today's special "squeeze-in bonus episode," it's my pleasure to welcome Shanti Hershenson to The Thriller Zone. Shanti, besides being the youngest author to grace The TZ airwaves, is quite likely one of the most prolific writers I've met...especially when you consider she's only 14. Not only that, she's been writing since she was 6! If you're a fan of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, and enjoy hearing from new & up-and-coming authors, AND you enjoy supporting new talent who is excited about their craf...
Aug 16, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 86
On today's Bonus Episode of The Thriller Zone, Kelly J. Ford visits to talk about her latest Southern Noir Thriller, Read Bad Things. Since we're both from the South, her from Arkansas and me from North Carolina, we instantly slipped into a comfortable spot behind the mic. What I like best about Kelly is what you see is what you get. I've always been drawn to people who are real and don't put on airs. She's the real deal, and I have a very solid feeling that she'll do just fine in this writing w...
Aug 15, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 85
