Thomas Harris

Classic Mystery Literature

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THOMAS HARRIS

Categories:

US Police Procedural,

Serial Killer,

Psychological,

Links
Thomas Harris Official Web Site

Born in Jackson Tennessee in 1940, Thomas Harris worked for the Associated Press in New York from 1968 to 1974. His first novel Black Sunday, a story of a terrorist attack on the Superbowl, was published in 1975 and became a bestseller. It was six years before another book was published, Red Dragon, in which he introduced the character of Doctor Hannibal Lecter (even if in this book he has a minor role). This too was enormously successful just like The Silence of the Lambs where Hannibal the Cannibal has the central role. The latter won an Anthony Award in 1989. The new Lecter book, Hannibal was published in June 1999.

Literary Criticism

Although this may sound as remarks of a fan, one has to admit that Thomas Harris' Lecter series is brilliant. With brief chapters, the reader is immersed into a world of evil even if some sympathy may grow for the evildoer since the frustrations of each serial killer can be fully understood. The story telling ability may also be demonstrated that the two movies that the books have generated so far are almost completely like the books. The character of Hannibal is so interesting that despite being a monster he almost becomes a hero. There is however one major flaw: the ending of Hannibal has absolutely nothing to do not only with the characters but also with the story told so far.

Vote for your favorite book by Thomas Harris:

HANNIBAL LECTER SERIES

Red Dragon

A serial killer is on the loose. He bites, he maims, he murders entire families in hideous ways. The police have no leads. They're afraid they can't stop him. That's why FBI agent Will Graham has come out of retirement. He has a special talent for catching serial murderers. The last one, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, nearly killed him. Maybe you've heard of Dr. Lecter? Even in jail, he's still dangerous. Graham knows that. But he's going to ask for Dr. Lecter's help. And it may be the most terrifying mistake of his life . . .

The Silence of the Lambs

To enter the mind of a killer, she must challenge the mind of a madman. On the loose is a psychotic killer. Locked away is a psychopathic madman. To catch one, the FBI needs the other . . . She is Clarice Starling, young, vulnerable FBI trainee. He is Hannibal Lecter, brilliant, evil genius. Theirs is a mesmerizing struggle between good and evil, designed to stop a killer, and guaranteed to chill your blood.

Hannibal (Read a review by Louise Crawford)

Seven years have passed since Dr. Hannibal Lecter escaped from custody, seven years since FBI Special Agent Clarice Starling interviewed him in a maximum-security hospital for the criminally insane. The doctor is still at large, pursuing his own ineffable interests, savoring the scents, the essences of an unguarded world. But Starling has never forgotten her encounters with Dr. Lecter, and the metallic rasp of his seldom-used voice still sounds in her dreams. Mason Verger remembers Dr. Lecter, too, and is obsessed with revenge. He was Dr. Lecter's sixth victim, and he has survived to rule his own butcher's empire. From his respirator, Verger monitors every twitch in his worldwide web. Soon he sees that to draw the doctor, he must have the most exquisite and innocent-appearing bait; he must have what Dr. Lecter likes best.

OTHER NON SERIES

Black Sunday

Black Sunday is the story of Michael Lander, the most dangerous man in America. He pilots a television blimp over packed football stadiums every weekend. He is fascinated with explosives. And he happens to be very, very crazy. That's why a beautiful PLO operative has seduced him. That's why, on Super Bowl Sunday, the world will witness the bloody assassination of the US President and the worst mass murder in history. Unless someone discovers what Michael Lander plans and can kill him first.