Thomas, a renowned writer of suspense thrillers, captivated audiences with his intricate plots, crisp writing, and pointed dialogue. His 25 books, set in a Washington D.C. backdrop of scheming, subterfuge, and sudden death, were highly praised by critics for their wit, realism, and complexity.
A combat infantryman in WWII, former newspaperman, and political consultant, Thomas's diverse background heavily influenced his writing. His first novel, "A Cold War Swap", was published in 1966, and his last, "Ah, Treachery!", in 1994. Throughout his career, his work was lauded for its ability to balance wit and realism.
Thomas's writing often featured a hint of cynicism towards people and institutions, a trait that could be attributed to his background, personality, and experiences. In addition to novels, he wrote screenplays, including original works and adaptations. One of his original screenplays became the movie "Bad Company", while another book was adapted into the film "St. Ives", starring Charles Bronson.
Despite the subtleties and ambiguities of his plots and characters, which made his books challenging to adapt into movies, Thomas didn't mind. His wife noted that what entertained him and his readers didn't always translate to the screen, and Thomas was content with his work being appreciated in its written form.
