Roderick Mayne Thorp, Jr. was a notable American novelist, best known for his thriller and mystery fiction. He was born in the Bronx in September 1936. Thorp had a unique background that influenced his writing career. After graduating from college, he worked at a detective agency owned by his father, which provided him with a firsthand look into the world of crime and detective work. This experience would later be reflected in his novels.\n \n Thorp's writing career spanned several decades, and he became an accomplished author in the field of crime novels. In addition to writing, he also taught literature and creative writing at various schools and universities in New Jersey and California. Thorp was also a prolific writer of articles for newspapers and magazines. His work as a writer and educator established him as a respected figure in the literary world.
Two of Thorp's most famous novels, "The Detective" and "Nothing Lasts Forever," were adapted into popular films. "The Detective," which was published in 1966, was made into a film of the same name in 1968, starring Frank Sinatra as Detective Joe Leland. "Nothing Lasts Forever," a sequel to "The Detective," was released in 1979 and was adapted into the blockbuster film "Die Hard" in 1988, starring Bruce Willis as John McClane. The film was relatively faithful to the novel, but it was not marketed as a sequel to the film version of "The Detective." Thorp's other novels, "Rainbow Drive" and "Devlin," were also adapted into TV movies.
Thorp's successful career as a novelist was cut short by his untimely death. He passed away from a heart attack in Oxnard, California. Despite his passing, Thorp's work continues to be celebrated and enjoyed by readers and viewers around the world. His contributions to the thriller and mystery genre have left a lasting impact on the literary world.