Oddly, though, the garlanded and prolific thriller writer struggles when his hero sallies out into the field.

To make his baroque plots more believable, he also used brand names on a grand scale - the first thriller writer to do so.

So she was rather taken aback to receive a patronising e-mail from the publisher of an unknown thriller writer, approaching her for a possible endorsement.

So you can see why it's the perfect title for a thriller writer to take and turn to much darker uses.

Downing, also a published thriller writer, drives the narrative forward at breakneck speed.