The Thriller Zone

The Thriller Zone

If you enjoy thriller books, films & TV series and the writers who create them, then you’ll enjoy the #1 thriller fiction podcast in the world, The Thriller Zone. Now in their 8th season, former radio host & current author Dave Temple talks with the best creative minds in the business for STORIES THAT THRILL!

Episodes

July 23, 2025 37 mins

Hello and welcome to the 236th episode of The Thriller Zone with Dave Temple, Your #1 Thriller FIction Film & TV Podcast in the world!

Today we dive into the thrilling world of Steve Berry, the mastermind behind the gripping new book, "The List."

Spoiler alert: this episode reveals how the book was almost completely destroyed, and trust me, you’ll want to hear the wild tale behind that! We’ll also chat about the intricacies of w...

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Welcome to the 235th episode of The Thriller Zone with Dave Temple. Get ready to dive into the thrilling world of Adam Plantinga, whose latest book, *Hard Town*, promises to keep you on the edge of your seat!

Right off the bat, we’re unpacking the gritty reality of policing, which Plantinga knows all too well after 24 years on the job. He shares some surprising insights about human nature and the hectic life of a street cop that’ll...

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On today's 234th episode of The Thriller Zone, host Dave Temple sits down with Rachel Howzell Hall for a return performance to discuss her latest thriller FOG AND FURY.

As always, Rachel is a superb guest, and she provides insights and instincts like few other writers. There's a reason she's atop the best-selling charts!

Fog and Fury is the star of today’s show, and trust me, you won’t want to miss this conversation! Rachel our fant...

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Today, host Dave Temple is diving into the nitty-gritty of the publishing world with the legendary Robert Gottlieb, the chairman of Trident Media Group.

Robert has the inside scoop on how books go from mere words on a page to bestsellers that everyone’s talking about. We’re pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to run a top-tier talent agency and what separates a good writer from a great one.

As we chat, Robert shares hi...

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Welcome to not only the 232nd episode of The Thriller Zone, but we are also celebrating our 4-YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!! Can you believe it? Four years of thrilling stories, incredible guests, and a whole lot of banter.

Who better to celebrate with than #1 New York Times Bestselling author Megan Abbott, author of The Turnout.

Today's chat is all about celebrating our fabulous four-year anniversary of the podcast...but perhaps as equally ...

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Get ready to dive into the wild world of “Dark Neon Dirt,” because today's 231st episode with Dave Temple, the host of The Thriller Zone, we’re hanging out with debut author Thomas Trang.

Let me tell you, this cat knows how to spin a tale, and we kick things off by gushing over his book that’s got all the thrilling vibes you’d expect—think crime, grit, and a dash of clever banter.

Thomas shares his journey from the shipping industry...

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On today's 230th episode of The Thriller Zone with Dave Temple, get ready to dive into the thrilling world of book publishing with the fabulous Emily Bestler, a true rock star in the industry!

We’re talking about her journey from studying English at Columbia to being the Senior VP and Editor-in-Chief at Emily Bestler Books.

With a resume that boasts 79 New York Times bestsellers, she's not just any editor; she’s a literary wizard m...

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On today's 229th episode of The Thriller Zone, host Dave Temple dives into the thrilling world of indie authorship with the debut of Josh Mendoza and his book, *Shadow of the Eternal Watcher*.

Right off the bat, this title has got some serious flair! Not only does it have a cover that could make even the grumpiest bookworm smile, but it’s also packed with enough tension and excitement to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Josh, who...

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The 228th episode of The Thriller Zone is a laid-back, celebratory throwback as host Dave Temple takes a breather for Memorial Day weekend. He’s treating us to a thrilling two-for-one special with interviews from two heavyweights in the thriller genre, Jon Katzenbach and Matthew Quirk.

First up is Jon Katzenbach, who shares insights about his riveting work, *Jack's Boys*, while reminiscing about his journey from a crime reporter to...

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Get ready to dive into Episode #227 when host Dave Temple leads The Thriller Zone with an electrifying conversation in the world of Silent Horizons with his pal Jack Stewart!

We’re kicking off this chat by unpacking the thrilling journey of co-authoring this new gem, blending Jack's storytelling magic with Chad Robichaux's real-life experiences.

Expect some juicy tales about the creative process, the ups and downs of writing alongs...

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Welcome to our 226th episode of The Thriller Zone, as host Dave Temple welcomes Wes Browne, the mastermind behind the gripping novel 'They All Fall the Same,' for an enjoyable conversation. We chat about everything from the gritty reality of rural noir to the culinary chaos of running pizza joints and crafting beers.

Wes spills the beans on how his background as a criminal defense attorney spices up his storytelling, making us pond...

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Today's Bonus Episode of The Thriller Zone with Dave Temple dives into a thrilling discussion with new author Gary Quesenberry, who's just dropped his debut book, *Homecoming*.

We kick things off by exploring the gripping world of his main character, Case Younger, an air marshal who's trying to escape a violent past but soon finds himself in a small town where chaos reigns.

Gary’s got a unique perspective on this, having been an a...

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Hello and welcome to Episode #224 with host Dave Temple. It's your #1 Thriller Fiction, Film & TV Podcast where Dave interviews the giants of thriller fiction. And today, we’re happy to have #1 New York Times bestselling author, the legendary David Baldacci.

David is here to chat about his latest book, "Strangers in Time!" This isn’t another legal thriller; instead, Baldacci has taken a delightful detour into historical fiction,...

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Get ready to dive into a whirlwind of listener love on this episode of the Thriller Zone! I’m David Temple, your trusty host, and today, we’re flipping the script a bit – instead of chatting with an author, I’m pouring over some fantastic emails from you lovely folks.

Whether it’s your favorite moments from past episodes or insights from our thrilling guests, I’m here to share it all. Like, Tammy’s got a soft spot for Adrian McKint...

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On today's 222nd episode of the world-famous Thriller Zone, host Dave Temple sits down with New York Times bestselling author Adrian McKinty, creator of the Sean Duffy Series.

Together, they’re diving deep into the thrilling world of storytelling and chatting about the magic of writing first drafts and how every aspiring author should just finish that story, no matter how messy it gets.

Adrian, a multiple New York Times bestselling ...

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On today's 221st and BONUS episode of The Thriller Zone, I dive into the nitty-gritty of the publishing world with my good friend Mark Gottlieb, Senior VP and top literary agent at Trident Media Group.

I'm your host Dave Temple, and Mark is back to drop some serious knowledge bombs about what it takes to make it as an author in today’s thriller-happy market. We chat about the importance of having a killer query letter—because let’s...

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Join host Dave Temple for episode #220 as he takes us on a wild and thrilling ride in the world of crime fiction as we chat with the incredibly talented Nick Kolakowski!

Nick has a new book out, "Where the Bones Lie," that’s packed with dark humor and gripping storytelling. He shares his journey from travel journalist to novelist, revealing how his experiences shape his characters and plots—like a master chef whipping up a deliciou...

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On today's 219th episode of The Thriller Zone with host Dave Temple, we dive into the world of thrillers with New York Times bestselling author Eric Rickstad.

This show is like a rollercoaster ride through the dark alleys of crime fiction, and Eric’s latest book, 'Remote the Six', isn't just another run-of-the-mill serial killer tale; it’s a captivating blend of FBI drama and the uncanny world of remote viewing, where the line betw...

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On today's 218th episode of The Thriller Zone with Dave Temple, we're diving into the heart of thriller fiction as we chat with Ryan Steck, The Real Book Spy, and Byrdie Bell, the daughter of the late Ted Bell, a New York Times Bestselling author.

We launch discussing "Monarch," the new thriller penned by Steck which respects the legacy of Ted’s iconic Alex Hawke series. I for one, feel it's a deeply emotional ride filled with hear...

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On today's 217th episode, we’re diving into the mind of the legendary Marshall Karp, a true master of the thriller genre and co-author with the great James Patterson.

You’re in for a genuine treat as we unpack Karp's latest book, "Don't Tell Me How to Die," a gripping tale about a woman on a mission to secure her family’s future after receiving a terminal diagnosis.

Karp is known for his sharp storytelling and knack for creating co...

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