John verdon

John Verdon is an American novelist best known for the mystery thriller series starring Detective Dave Gurney.. Prior to its literary premiere, Think of a number (Crown / Random House; 2010), the New York author had a long and successful career in the advertising world. However, the writer himself states on his website that "I always wanted to be someone else."

Then, his debut book - marketed in Spanish as I know what you're thinking- meant a perfect irruption high into the world of letters. It is a text that evidences many of the master lines created by the literati with the greatest influence on Verdon: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ross McDonald and Reginald Hill.

Verdon's life: the american dream

According to his biography, Verdon, in his own way, has been the protagonist of a version of the American Dream. Born in New York on January 1, 1942, he spent nearly 30 years writing advertising texts for New York agencies. Once retired from the world of spotsHe focused his energies on the construction of furniture and carpentry in general.

After 10 years working with wooden objects, his wife received retirement (she is a teacher). So, after being untethered to the Bronx and the Big Apple, the couple decides to settle comfortably in a cabin in the Catskill Mountains. It is a rural county, still in the state of New York, with a peaceful and quiet environment.

Mysteries on the mountain

Life in retirement took Verdon a lot of time to read. Actually, Literature has always been a latent passion in him, but hidden by his old daily occupations ... The detective novel became his favorite genre, with the detective icon at the fore: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Holmes.

His wife, seeing the enthusiasm of the future writer to devour police intrigues one after another, managed to persuade him to write his own story. After two years of arduous effort, the world met David Gurney, in his first appearance I know what you're thinking (2010)

Instant best seller

You can buy the novel here: I will control your dreams

While Think of a number did not go on to formally swell the category of Best Seller, John Verdon's debut was a success. What's more, few authors can boast a number one in sales with their "first work." I know what you're thinking He "hijacked" readers' interest in the intrigues.

According to the review, this title managed to refresh the always attractive mysteries of "closed rooms", thus causing an avalanche of readers. Although Verdon - somewhat naive and carefree - began to understand the dimension of his creation when his editor called him shortly after. The request: another story with the same protagonist.

Late, but prolific writer. Some of his works.

The wishes of the public were immediate. Of course, the great merit of the editor was to bet on an (apparently) inexhaustible "universe". Just a year later, the second of the Gurney-starring adventures hit bookstores: Shut Your Eyes Tight (marketed in Spanish as Don't open your eyes).

The result: a best seller in every sense of the word. Number one for several weeks in various countries, on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Likewise, Verdon's second title evidenced a clear evolution on the road to literary maturity and greater security in plotting.

The endless formula?

Dave Gurney's second installment was considered better than the first. Consequently, the arrival of more deliveries from Verdon's detective was a matter of time. A year later the third chapter of the saga was released: Let the devil sleep -Leave the devil alone (2012)

However, unlike what happened with the previous delivery, this time the construction of the framework was more mechanistic and less fluid. In fact, the author dispensed with originality, probably resorting to proven formulas to successfully fulfill the assignment. In any case, his fans were happy and, of course, the publisher too.

A little calm

Dedicated full time to his new job, used to touring, press conferences and jet lag, Verdon took a couple of years to publish a new novel. With Don't trust Peter Pan (2014) -Peter Pan Must Die, original title in English - the American author recovered the freshness of his lines, as well as demonstrated a less simplistic and more creative formula.

The next book, I will control your dreams (2015) -Wolf lake, original title in English - it differed from its predecessors by its closer to fantasy plot. Still, Verdon managed to keep readers together with his characters in the real world, despite frequent dream strokes.

You will burn in the storm The best of John Verdon?

You can buy the book here: You will burn in the storm

The author's tireless fans had to wait until 2018 to savor the next investigation by retired detective David Gurney. White river burning (original title in English) is a policeman in all the norm. But with a context worthy of a truly transcendental work due to its X-ray of the United States of Donald Trump.

The book uncovers the American paradox: racism, police brutality, a contaminated judicial system, officials who abuse their power ... In the midst of a society unable to look at itself and immersed in a spiral of vengeance and endless violence. The author ends everything with a surprising ending.

Sales Vs Quality: The Endless Debate

Verdon's first two titles were enthusiastically received (not just by fans of crime novels). Later, the mechanical writing of Leave the devil alone, the third of the seven (in 2020 the seventh was published, The black angel), He put on the table a debate that sooner or later was going to come. What are the merits of John Verdon as a writer?

The New York author takes everything that has happened since the launch of I know what you're thinking very naturally. He certainly thanks his readers for allowing him to engage in an enriching activity (in every sense of the term) and to pass the old age without worry. There are those who refuse to read his books because they consider him a commercial writer.

And the same question always arises: is there something wrong with that?