A view inside Ridley Pearson's new Killer View
"Write what you know." -- Ridley Pearson
Ridley Pearson certainly knows how to write top notch thrillers. No stranger to best seller lists, Ridley Pearson is the author of more than twenty novels, including the Lou Boldt series. But with his most recent thriller, Killer View, Pearson shows us that he can write what he knows too. In Killer View, Pearson takes us back to his adopted hometown of Sun Valley Idaho in this follow-up to last year's best-seller, Killer Weekend.
"Write what you know. I have lived, full or part time in the Sun Valley area for over twenty years. When I looked for a setting for a new series, my agent, Amy Berkhower, happened to be reading about a lavish business conference that takes place each year in Sun Valley, and she proposed it as a story idea. It dawned on both of us how Sun Valley has changed, how policing it has changed, and that it was a rich backdrop for, of all things, a crime series. What's fun for me: I know all the players (many of the characters are based on real life individuals I've known for twenty years) and I know the crimes that have happened there over the years."
Ridley Pearson certainly knows how to write top notch thrillers. No stranger to best seller lists, Ridley Pearson is the author of more than twenty novels, including the Lou Boldt series. But with his most recent thriller, Killer View, Pearson shows us that he can write what he knows too. In Killer View, Pearson takes us back to his adopted hometown of Sun Valley Idaho in this follow-up to last year's best-seller, Killer Weekend."Write what you know. I have lived, full or part time in the Sun Valley area for over twenty years. When I looked for a setting for a new series, my agent, Amy Berkhower, happened to be reading about a lavish business conference that takes place each year in Sun Valley, and she proposed it as a story idea. It dawned on both of us how Sun Valley has changed, how policing it has changed, and that it was a rich backdrop for, of all things, a crime series. What's fun for me: I know all the players (many of the characters are based on real life individuals I've known for twenty years) and I know the crimes that have happened there over the years."
In Killer View, Sun Valley sheriff Walt Fleming is forced out into a bitter winter storm to search for a missing skier. Walt assembles his crack search-and-rescue team, including deputy Tommy Brandon and Walt's best friend, Mark Aker, and they head out into the snowy night. But within minutes, something goes horribly wrong: one of their team is found dead. By morning, Mark Aker has also disappeared.
Torn between professional responsibility and the desperate urge to find his friend, Walt follows threads of questionable evidence through the glitter of Sun Valley leading him to an unlikely--and darker--source of the crime that is playing out on a much larger scale than he originally envisioned. Walt finds himself waist-deep in snow and knee-deep in lies, with the life of his friend in the balance.
And lately, your kids are probably reading Pearson as often as you are. Along with fellow Rock Bottom Remainders band mate Dave Barry, Pearson has written several best selling young adult adventure books - and more than a few by himself - and now is as recognized for his young adult fiction as he is for his adult thrillers. That distinction didn't come about by accident. And that passion for the young protagonist plays out in Killer View.
"Starting with Beyond Recognition, nearly 10 years ago, I began occasionally writing younger characters into my novels. Then I had kids of my own. The perspective of a young character is a wonderful tool -- the innocence, the naivety, the (often unfounded) bravado. I love that perspective to help balance the calloused and hard-bitten cop or sheriff. We don't live in a strictly adult world, although we can often allow ourselves to think we do. In Killer View, the plot turns around a young juvie who everyone takes for worthless. When you have kids of your own you realize the value of the young perspective."
But no matter the perspective, you are assured of getting a thrilling ride with Pearson. Because as we all know, Pearson writes what he knows - edge-of-your-seat thrillers.
Contributing editor Mark Combes is an avid
sailor and Scuba diver and travels extensively in the Caribbean
pursuing his passions. He works in book publishing and RUNNING WRECKED
is his first novel.
Torn between professional responsibility and the desperate urge to find his friend, Walt follows threads of questionable evidence through the glitter of Sun Valley leading him to an unlikely--and darker--source of the crime that is playing out on a much larger scale than he originally envisioned. Walt finds himself waist-deep in snow and knee-deep in lies, with the life of his friend in the balance.And lately, your kids are probably reading Pearson as often as you are. Along with fellow Rock Bottom Remainders band mate Dave Barry, Pearson has written several best selling young adult adventure books - and more than a few by himself - and now is as recognized for his young adult fiction as he is for his adult thrillers. That distinction didn't come about by accident. And that passion for the young protagonist plays out in Killer View.
"Starting with Beyond Recognition, nearly 10 years ago, I began occasionally writing younger characters into my novels. Then I had kids of my own. The perspective of a young character is a wonderful tool -- the innocence, the naivety, the (often unfounded) bravado. I love that perspective to help balance the calloused and hard-bitten cop or sheriff. We don't live in a strictly adult world, although we can often allow ourselves to think we do. In Killer View, the plot turns around a young juvie who everyone takes for worthless. When you have kids of your own you realize the value of the young perspective."
But no matter the perspective, you are assured of getting a thrilling ride with Pearson. Because as we all know, Pearson writes what he knows - edge-of-your-seat thrillers.
Contributing editor Mark Combes is an avid
sailor and Scuba diver and travels extensively in the Caribbean
pursuing his passions. He works in book publishing and RUNNING WRECKED
is his first novel.ThrillerFest
ITW's annual celebration of the thriller world is the largest event of its kind, a meeting place for authors, readers, budding writers, and publishing industry professionals.
For 2011, we’ll be back in the heart of New York in July with the ThrillerFest conference including CraftFest and AgentFest.
ThrillerFest VI will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City.
The dates will be July 6-9, 2011.
More information to follow.
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