Tribute to Ross Thomas
In 2002 Ross Thomas was given the Gumshoe Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Ross Thomas wrote twenty-five wonderful novels in his twenty-nine year writing career, which ended with his death in 1995. Nearly a book a year for a quarter of a century is prodigious output, to be certain; but it is regrettably small when the writer possessed the brilliance and skill of a writer such as Thomas. I have read and savored each of his books at least twice, and some more than that. He is the writer I suggest to people most often, for in his works lie countless undiscovered gems that too many readers have missed.
Thomas spent his first twenty years of adulthood working as a reporter, PR flack, and political strategist. He then wrote his first novel, The Cold War Swap, in six weeks at the age of forty. It won an Edgar, the most prestigious award for mystery fiction. (He won another Edgar for Briarpatch in 1985.)
Thomas wrote "political thrillers," but that label is too limiting. His books were smart, witty, original, suspenseful, and engrossing. He could make you laugh out loud one chapter, sweat with anxiety the next, and shake your head at the folly of it all come the end. The phrase "couldn't put it down" might have been coined for his books; you might have to put them down because you've got work in the morning, but you definitely won't stop thinking about his quirky, inventive plots.
The settings of Thomas' books are as varied as the characters: Hong Kong, DC, Germany, the Deep South; Congressmen, Writers, Union Organizers, Historians, Advertising Men. Thomas wrote about the kind of people behind the headlines; the men and women who keep the games of politics and commerce moving. They are ordinary people who participate in extraordinary events. They aren't that different from the rest of us, which makes them all the more enjoyable and fascinating to observe.
One of the things that Thomas did probably better than anyone else was lead his readers through the labyrinthine world of Washington politics, treachery, and deceit, all while keeping us entertained and perched at the edge of our seats. The power brokers, the intelligence community, the military-industrial complex, the shadowy world of mercenaries and guns-for-hire all come alive in an interwoven tapestry of intrigue that stretches throughout Thomas' books.
In lesser hands such plots would become tedious, confusing, and improbable; flowing from the pen of the master they are uncommonly fine and always enthralling. I had the pleasure to correspond periodically with Mr. Thomas for a few years before his death. He was uncommonly gracious, and just as bright and witty as you would imagine from reading his books.
When he died, the world lost a great writer and all the wonderful works he had yet to produce. It was a personal blow to me as well, as I felt as if I'd lost a friend. Ross Thomas will live on, however, in the joy of his books. Find them wherever you can. Read and savor them. I promise that you won't be disappointed.
Posted by David J. Montgomery in Awards | Permalink
Comments
My introduction to the work of Ross Thomas was happenstance. I was living in Poland in 1992 and spent much time looking for English Language books. A Polish friend I made named Piotr palmed me a copy of a novel with the silly title Missionary Stew. For want of anything else to read, I started it. I haven't stopped reading Ross Thomas since.
Having now read them all, my method is to lay off for a while and then re-read. They are surprising fresh on the second, third, and subsequent readings. I don't know of any author who can continue to surprise in
multiple readings. I only wish I had brought some of my books with me here to Taiwan. But that's o.k. They'll be extra enjoyable when I get home and tear into them.
Posted by: neil keller | Dec 5, 2005 1:07:52 PM
I have most of his books. I love the way he could write and spin a yarn. I visited a second hand book shop in LA near Venice beach where I picked up "Out on the Rim" on a trip to the USA from my home in Brisbane, Australia in 1994. One of my greatest shopping trips ever I reckon! It got me hooked on his unique style and the way he easily weaves intrigue into his writing. I wish we had more of "Artie Wu and that fucking Durant" novels. He died so young. I read all of his novels every year. RIP Ross.
Posted by: Robert Lengyel | Sep 30, 2007 5:24:37 AM
Ross Thomas was a brilliant wirter, who happened to write thrillers. He was a keen judge of human character, especially the deficiences or lack thereof. I can thank Ron Rosenbaum for introducing him to me, via a reference to Otherguy Overby in one of his article. I, too, find his books endlessly re-readable, and can only wish he was still here to comment on the antics and actions of our present government...
I was very pleased to see St. Martin's Minotaur re-release his books as trade paperbacks, but unfortunately they stopped due to lack of take up. Time for a petition maybe?
Posted by: Robert Swartz | Oct 22, 2007 3:05:27 PM
I have a question. I have been a Ross Thomas fan since The Cold War Swap.... In Twilight at mac's Place(1990), Isabelle Gelinet had been living with the late Steady Haynes. Was she not killed off as a journalist working with Durant, as revealed in Chinaman's Chance(1978)? Just curious. Susanne Page
Posted by: susanne Page | May 3, 2008 9:25:11 PM
