Summer Is A Hot One For Local Author

By Nancy K. Crevier

It is shaping up to be a good summer for local author Justin Scott, whose collaboration with thriller author Clive Cussler resulted in the June 1 release of a second novel, The Spy, and whose solo novel, The Shipkiller, is included in the anthology Thrillers: 100 Must-Reads, scheduled for release July 9. “I’m extremely excited and absolutely thrilled,” said Mr Scott. The Spy has already found a place in the top ten of The New York Times best sellers list.

Detective Isaac Bell, the protagonist of Mr Cussler’s earlier novel The Chase, and of The Wrecker, co-authored by Mr Scott with Mr Cussler, returns in this tale set in 1908, as the world heads toward war. Possible suicide, murder, international intrigue, and spies vs spies combine in an exciting read for those who love the thriller genre.

Working with Mr Cussler proved once again to be a fruitful experience, said Mr Scott. “It was great fun, of course, and I learned a lot. I finally discovered the pitfalls of an outline,” he laughed. “You get smarter each time you write a book,” said Mr Scott, who has published two dozen books under his name, as well as under the pen names of J.S. Blazer and Paul Garrison.

Thrillers: 100 Must-Reads includes works from Beowulf to The Hunt for Red October, all designated by the International Thriller Writers organization as books that must be read. Mr Scott was pleased to be asked to contribute an essay to the anthology, one of many examining the significance of each work in this collection.

“The Great Impersonation by E. Phillips Oppenheim is a delicious book, really worth reading,” said Mr Scott of the 1920 novel about which he was asked to offer his insight. “He uses an exciting literary trick, and it is a cut above anything else he ever wrote,” Mr Scott divulged.

Edited by award-winning author David Morrell and critic Hank Wagner, Thrillers: 100 Must-Reads offers an historical and personal perspective on the best thriller works over the centuries. The book will be introduced in New York City at a special opening celebration of Thrillerfest, July 9. The festival runs July 7 through 10.