Ross Thomas (author) facts for kids

Ross Thomas (born February 19, 1926, in Oklahoma City; died December 18, 1995, in Santa Monica, California) was an American writer. He was famous for writing exciting thriller novels. These books often showed the hidden ways that politics and power work.

He also wrote five books using a different name, called a pseudonym. His pseudonym was Oliver Bleeck. These books were about a character named Philip St. Ives, who was a professional "go-between." A go-between helps people solve problems or make deals, often in secret.

Who Was Ross Thomas?

Ross Thomas was a talented author known for his smart and often funny stories. His books usually involved mysteries, spies, and political secrets. He wrote many novels that were popular with readers.

What Did Ross Thomas Do Before Writing?

Before he became a full-time writer, Ross Thomas had many interesting jobs. He served in the army in the Philippines during World War II. After the war, he worked as a public relations expert. He also worked as a reporter for the Armed Forces Network.

He was a spokesman for a union, which is a group that helps workers. He also worked as a political strategist, helping politicians plan their campaigns. He did these jobs in the USA, Germany, and Nigeria.

Ross Thomas's Writing Career

Ross Thomas started his writing career with a bang! His very first novel, The Cold War Swap, was written super fast, in just six weeks. This book introduced two of his popular characters, McCorkle and Padillo.

What Awards Did Ross Thomas Win?

The Cold War Swap won a special award in 1967. It received the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Novel. This award is given to the best first mystery novel of the year.

Later, his book Briarpatch won another Edgar Award in 1985. This time, it was for Best Novel overall. In 2002, he was given a special Gumshoe Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honored his amazing career in crime fiction.

Did Ross Thomas Write for Movies?

Yes, Ross Thomas also wrote for the big screen! He wrote the original story for the 1995 movie Bad Company. This film was about a secret spy group connected to the CIA.

He also wrote a movie script called Jimmy the Rumour. This story was about a man who stole from other thieves. However, this movie was never actually made.

How Were His Stories Told?

Ross Thomas used different ways to tell his stories. The first three books about McCorkle and Padillo were told in the "first person." This means the story is told by one of the characters, using "I" or "we."

Many of his other books, especially after 1976, used an "omniscient narrator." This means the storyteller knows everything about all the characters and events. However, all five of the Philip St. Ives stories were told in the first person.

When Did Ross Thomas Pass Away?

Ross Thomas passed away on December 18, 1995. He was 69 years old. He died in Santa Monica, California.

Ross Thomas's Books

Ross Thomas wrote many exciting novels throughout his career.

Novels by Ross Thomas

Novels Written as Oliver Bleeck

These five books feature the character Philip St. Ives.

Non-Fiction Books

Ross Thomas also wrote a few non-fiction books, which means they were based on facts and real events.

• Warriors for the Poor: The Story of VISTA, Volunteers In Service to America (with William H. Crook, 1969)
• Spies, Thumbsuckers, Etc. (1989)

Characters Who Appear in More Than One Book

Ross Thomas often brought back characters in different novels, making his fictional world feel connected.

McCorkle and Padillo Series

• Cyril "Mac" McCorkle was a former army officer. He owned a bar and restaurant called Mac's Place, first in Bonn, Germany, and then in Washington, DC.
• Michael Padillo was Mac's business partner and friend. He was a spy and sometimes worked for a secret government agency.
• These two characters appeared in The Cold War Swap, Cast a Yellow Shadow, The Backup Men, and Twilight at Mac's Place. Padillo also had a small part in The Seersucker Whipsaw.
  • Fredl Arndt was McCorkle's wife.
  • Herr Horst was the head waiter at Mac's Place.
  • Karl Triller was the main bartender at Mac's Place.
  • Stan Burmser was Padillo's contact person. He appeared in several books, including Cold War Swap, Cast a Yellow Shadow, The Backup Men, and Mac's Place.

Artie Wu and Quincy Durant Series

• Artie Wu and Quincy Durant were con men and adventurers.
• Their friend Maurice "Otherguy" Overby often joined them.
• These characters appeared in Chinaman's Chance, Out on the Rim, and Voodoo, Ltd.
• Later, Booth Stallings, an expert on terrorism, and Georgia Blue, a former Secret Service agent, joined them in Out on the Rim and Voodoo, Ltd.
  • "Boy" Howdy, an adventurer from Australia, was a key character in Out on the Rim. He was also mentioned in Missionary Stew.
  • Howard Mott was a lawyer from Washington. He appeared or was mentioned in several novels, including a significant role in Twilight at Mac's Place.

Other Recurring Characters

• Ione Gamble, an actress and director, was important in Voodoo, Ltd. and briefly seen in Ah, Treachery!.
• Draper Haere, a political fundraiser, was a main character in Missionary Stew and mentioned in Ah, Treachery.
• Minor Jackson and Nicolae Ploscaru, main characters in The Eighth Dwarf, were mentioned in Ah, Treachery.
• Chubb Dunjee was the main character of The Mordida Man and mentioned in Voodoo, Ltd.

Characters in Philip St. Ives Novels

• Myron Greene was a lawyer from New York. He was St. Ives's friend and helped him with legal and business matters in all five books.
• Eddie the bellhop and Sid the bartender were minor characters. They worked at the Manhattan hotel where St. Ives lived.
• Sergeant Herbert Fastnaught was a police officer from Washington, D.C. He had a role in The Brass Go-Between and No Questions Asked, where he had been promoted to lieutenant.