Writing Thrillers

Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Oct 22: Joe Hart’s Novel Will Make You Question How Well You Know Your Lover

October 22, 2025

I Become Her — A Thriller

I Become Her with author Joe Hart

When Imogen Carmichael’s honeymoon shifts from bliss to a nightmare in the blink of an eye, paranoia builds and trust unravels. Is Imogen going crazy, or is something more sinister going on?

Master of psychological suspense, Joe Hart, joins us to discuss I Become Her.

We explore the story behind a honeymoon gone disastrously wrong. Joe shares how he developed the voice of a strong female protagonist, and some of the most challenging aspects of writing a thriller.

We also look at how memories — factual or dramatized — often shape how we see the truth. And, Joe shares insight into how he’s successfully crossed genres, something many authors struggle to do.

Meet Joe Hart

J oe Hart is an Edgar Award–winning and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of 17 novels, including Or Else, The River Is Dark, Obscura, and The Last Girl. He’s also written several novella’s and dozens of short stories. Known for his taut pacing and psychological depth, Hart crafts stories that keep readers on edge until the final page. He lives in Minnesota with his family and continues to explore the darker side of human nature through fiction.

Jun 25: Ryan Steck with Gone Dark

June 25, 2025

As Montana goes up in flames, former marine raider Matt Redd isn’t looking for trouble, but it sure finds him.

Gone Dark with author Ryan Steck

Join Vicki with bestselling thriller author Ryan Steck, who celebrates the release of Gone Dark, the fourth installment in his exciting Matthew Redd series.

As smoke jumpers brave Montana wildfires, Matt Redd receives an unexpected call that leads him to protect a terrified young witness, confront a medical crisis linked to opioids, and face institutional corruption with a bombshell connection to Big Pharma.

Ryan Steck is known for blending intense action with emotional stakes. We dig into his approach to the writing craft, research, character evolution. And what it takes to write a thriller pulsating with authenticity.

Meet Ryan Steck

Ryan Steck is a freelance editor, author, and founder and editor-in-chief of The Real Book Spy. Ryan has been named an “Online Influencer” by Amazon and is a regular columnist at CrimeReads. He also coauthors with other novelists and continues the late Ted Bell’s legacy by authoring new books in the Alex Hawke series. Gone Dark is the latest in Steck’s Matt Redd Thriller series.