Rory Clements has established himself as a prominent British author of historical thrillers, seamlessly combining extensive research with engaging storytelling. His works, including the acclaimed John Shakespeare series and gripping wartime espionage novels, demonstrate the captivating potential of history. In a recent piece, Clements revealed his five favourite historical thrillers, reports BritPanorama.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
“One of my all-time favourite novels – but does it qualify as a historical thriller? Well, it’s set in the court of Henry VIII, which means it’s definitely historical, and I found it thrilling, so case closed.
“Together, the books chronicle the rise and terrifying fall of Anne Boleyn. As she and her supposed lovers hurtle towards their doom, the tension is unbearable. We see it all through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell, who raised her up and then betrayed her. In Mantel’s telling, he ranks among the most complex of heroes/villains (take your pick).”
Fourth Estate, £10.99
Marathon Man by William Goldman
“As a child, I hated going to the dentist (I’m still not that keen, truth be told). So to read a book where the villain is a Nazi dentist who tortures the protagonist, Babe, by drilling through his teeth into his gums should have been the stuff of nightmares. In fact, it’s an almost perfect thriller.
“Babe – the would-be marathon man of the title – is the sort of guy any reader could relate to. He’s not particularly strong or brave (he’s not even that good a runner); you’d pass him on the street without noticing him. Yet he is caught up in a murderous plot of terrifying proportions. And guess what? Against all the odds, the little guy comes good.”
Bloomsbury, £10.99
Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith
“You can smell the vodka, the sweat, the corruption and the fear – which is just about everything you need to know about the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War. This fabulous novel has those elements in spades.
“Everyone, from the highest ranks of government to the lowliest cop or KGB agent, seems to be out for themselves, and anyone who stands in their way is liable to get a bullet in their head. It’s the beautiful sables I feel most sorry for.”
Simon & Schuster, £9.99
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
“The ultimate revenge thriller, I first read this when I was 12 or 13 and loved it. The story tells of Edmond Dantès, who is framed for a crime he didn’t commit and is thrown into the notorious Château d’If prison near Marseille. Years later, he escapes, comes into a fortune, styles himself the Count of Monte Cristo and sets about avenging himself.
“I remember being particularly impressed by his taste for hashish (even though I wasn’t quite sure what hashish was!) And the last three words of the book – wait and hope – seemed to be a pretty good philosophy for anyone facing storms in their life.”
Penguin Classics, £10.99
The Day Of The Jackal by Frederick Forsyth
“This novel was rejected by several publishers, and I can just about understand why – because it breaks two of the cardinal rules of thriller writing: 1) the reader has to care about the main character, and 2) you mustn’t give away the ending.
“Why would anyone care about the Jackal? He’s a cold-blooded gun for hire who kills everyone who gets in his way. And we know he fails in his mission to assassinate former French president Charles de Gaulle because the history books tell us he died of natural causes while watching TV years after the book’s setting.
“And yet, somehow, the novel hooks us from the first sentence and the tension never lets up. So what did I learn from this wonderful thriller? Firstly, Freddie Forsyth was a storytelling genius and, secondly, sometimes it’s OK to tear up the rule book.”
Arrow, £9.99
‘Evil in High Places’ by Rory Clements is now out in paperback (Penguin, £9.99). ‘Invitation from a Dictator’ will be published on 13 August (Viking, £16.99)
