BEST-SELLING Welsh thriller writer Craig Thomas – whose hit books included Firefox, which was made into a Clint Eastwood movie – has died at the age of 68.
The Cardiff-born author was regarded by many as the man who invented the “techno-thriller”.
The writer rose to prominence with the publication of second novel Firefox in 1977, featuring US fighter pilot and spy Mitchell Gant, the character played by Eastwood who also directed the film.
The son of the legendary Western Mail rugby writer JBG Thomas, he had a successful career spanning 30 years.
His novels included Snow Falcon, Sea Leopard, Jade Tiger and Firefox Down.
They were widely regarded as being meticulously researched, with cutting-edge technology, superior plots and political intrigue, and made him an international bestseller.
Born in Cardiff, the former English teacher was educated at Cardiff High School and at University College Cardiff.
When once asked why he was drawn in to the thriller world, he said: “Because of its evident sense of tension and danger, the deliberate structure of the plots, and perhaps the emphatic moral framework – just as many writers of detective fiction are drawn to the sense of justice their books demonstrate towards good and evil.
“There is an attraction in the thriller or adventure story, for both the writer and reader, in knowing which side one is supposed to be on. And thrillers are optimistic. Their problems are soluble, and they are resolved by individuals.”
Thomas had recently finished a two-volume commentary on the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche.
Peter Finch of Academi, the Welsh literature promotion agency, said Thomas’ books had been plotted to perfection.
“He never ignored his Welsh connections and was only too willing to take part in activities. It would have been great to embrace him in the new literary Wales that exists right now. It is very sad to hear that he has died,” he said. “I met him a long time ago when he came to launch one of his books. Craig was very old school. He was formal but there would always be a knowing smile and a joke.
“His books were not revolutionary but they were placed in the same field as Ken Follett, as both writers’ plots were written to absolute perfection and were read by people around the world. They were good thrillers and they were a cracking read.”
Thomas and his wife and editor, Jill, lived for many years in Staffordshire, but had recently moved to Somerset.
Jill said: “We had a fantastic life together and I am sorry that it is not going on now. We were extremely lucky to find each other.
“He was a very loving person and a very honest person. He would say what he thought and he hated political correctness. He always did what he thought was right and he would not be pressured to do things.
“He had great passion for his writing and for music. His passion for his writing remained up until the end.
“Even when he was in hospital undergoing chemotherapy he was still scribbling away until it just got too much for him.”
Close friend Tony Mulliken said the heroes in Thomas’ novels would have been impressed with the dignity he maintained during his illness.
He said: “He was an intelligent man with a big and generous spirit and a great enjoyment of life.”
Thomas died on Monday from pneumonia after a short, but intensive battle with acute myeloid leukaemia.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-north-wales-news/cardiff-news/2011/04/09/welsh-thriller-writer-craig-thomas-dies-55578-28488480/
The Cardiff-born author was regarded by many as the man who invented the “techno-thriller”.
The writer rose to prominence with the publication of second novel Firefox in 1977, featuring US fighter pilot and spy Mitchell Gant, the character played by Eastwood who also directed the film.
The son of the legendary Western Mail rugby writer JBG Thomas, he had a successful career spanning 30 years.
They were widely regarded as being meticulously researched, with cutting-edge technology, superior plots and political intrigue, and made him an international bestseller.
Born in Cardiff, the former English teacher was educated at Cardiff High School and at University College Cardiff.
When once asked why he was drawn in to the thriller world, he said: “Because of its evident sense of tension and danger, the deliberate structure of the plots, and perhaps the emphatic moral framework – just as many writers of detective fiction are drawn to the sense of justice their books demonstrate towards good and evil.
“There is an attraction in the thriller or adventure story, for both the writer and reader, in knowing which side one is supposed to be on. And thrillers are optimistic. Their problems are soluble, and they are resolved by individuals.”
Thomas had recently finished a two-volume commentary on the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche.
Peter Finch of Academi, the Welsh literature promotion agency, said Thomas’ books had been plotted to perfection.
“He never ignored his Welsh connections and was only too willing to take part in activities. It would have been great to embrace him in the new literary Wales that exists right now. It is very sad to hear that he has died,” he said. “I met him a long time ago when he came to launch one of his books. Craig was very old school. He was formal but there would always be a knowing smile and a joke.
“His books were not revolutionary but they were placed in the same field as Ken Follett, as both writers’ plots were written to absolute perfection and were read by people around the world. They were good thrillers and they were a cracking read.”
Thomas and his wife and editor, Jill, lived for many years in Staffordshire, but had recently moved to Somerset.
Jill said: “We had a fantastic life together and I am sorry that it is not going on now. We were extremely lucky to find each other.
“He was a very loving person and a very honest person. He would say what he thought and he hated political correctness. He always did what he thought was right and he would not be pressured to do things.
“He had great passion for his writing and for music. His passion for his writing remained up until the end.
“Even when he was in hospital undergoing chemotherapy he was still scribbling away until it just got too much for him.”
Close friend Tony Mulliken said the heroes in Thomas’ novels would have been impressed with the dignity he maintained during his illness.
He said: “He was an intelligent man with a big and generous spirit and a great enjoyment of life.”
Thomas died on Monday from pneumonia after a short, but intensive battle with acute myeloid leukaemia.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-north-wales-news/cardiff-news/2011/04/09/welsh-thriller-writer-craig-thomas-dies-55578-28488480/
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