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December 10, 2025 67 mins

On today's 248th episode of The Thriller Zone Podcast, join me, Dave Temple, as I chat (aka geek out) with the legendary Robin Cook, who's been whipping up medical thrillers for decades.

Trust me, this conversation is a treasure trove of insights! We dive right into his latest gem, "Spasm," which has hit store shelves and tackles some seriously intriguing themes around health and medicine.

Robin shares his journey from writing "Coma" while hustling through medical residency to becoming a household name with 42 bestsellers under his belt. We also get a peek into his creative process, as he humorously reveals how he keeps his writing fresh and engaging despite the ever-evolving landscape of the publishing world.

So, grab a snack, kick back, and join us for this lively, laughter-filled exploration of storytelling and the medical mysteries that keep us on the edge of our seats with the legendary master of medical thrillers, Robin Cook.

Be sure to visit: RobinCook.com, TheThrillerZone.com and DavideTemple.com.

Takeaways:

  • This episode marks a milestone as we approach 250 episodes of the Thriller Zone podcast, isn't that wild?
  • David Temple shares his excitement about interviewing Robin Cook, a legendary thriller author who has shaped the genre since the 70s.
  • Cook discusses the integral role of lifestyle in health and how it influenced his writing of medical thrillers over the years.
  • The conversation dives deep into how societal fears, like those portrayed in 'Jaws', drive the suspense in Cook's novels, making them relatable and terrifying.
  • They also touch upon the challenges of writing during shifts in the publishing industry and how Cook adapts while maintaining his unique voice.
  • Finally, the episode wraps with Cook sharing his writing advice, emphasizing the importance of having a dedicated space for creativity that fosters focus and inspiration.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

  • Michael Crichton
  • RobinCook.com
  • New York Times

KEYWORDS - thriller podcast, Robin Cook interview, medical thriller author, New York Times bestseller, writing advice, thriller writing tips, author interviews, health and wellness, writing process, medical fiction, storytelling techniques, character development, suspense novels, book recommendations, thriller genre insights, popular thriller authors, David Temple podcast, podcast episodes about writing, publishing industry trends, creative writing strategies

Mentioned in this episode:

LITC New 12-21-25

Life In Two Columns: Shit That Matters. And Everything Else. Get it now for ONLY $.99 in ebook or $9.99 in paperback on Amazon, and you can get in audiobook, read by me, for only $10.99 at DavideTemple.com

LITC New 12-21-25

Life In Two Columns: Shit That Matters. And Everything Else. Get it now for ONLY $.99 in ebook or $9.99 in paperback on Amazon, and you can get in audiobook, read by me, for only $10.99 at DavideTemple.com

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