James Whitfield Thomson

James Whitfield Thomson is an author whose literary career spans fiction and academic scholarship. He debuted with the novel "Lies You Wanted to Hear," a psychological exploration of family and deception. His short stories have appeared in prestigious literary journals such as Agni and The Ledge, and his work has been recognized with a grant from the Massachusetts Council for the Arts.

Thomson's background reflects a diverse professional journey, blending military service, academia, and entrepreneurship. After serving as a Navy navigator off the coast of Vietnam, he pursued a Ph.D. in American Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in detective novelist Raymond Chandler. A brief teaching career preceded his transition into business, where early success allowed him to retire and focus on writing. His fiction often delves into complex human relationships, informed by his academic and life experiences.

Thomson resides with his wife, Elizabeth, in a Victorian farmhouse near Boston. They have five children who live internationally. While "Lies You Wanted to Hear" remains his sole published novel to date, his short stories continue to contribute to contemporary literary discourse.
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 Lies You Wanted to Hear 2013
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 A Better Ending: A Brother's Twenty-Year Quest to Uncover the Truth About His Sister's Death 2025