Picture a British storyteller who swapped boardrooms for breathtaking thrillers—meet Adam Hamdy! A Sunday Times bestselling author and screenwriter, Hamdy crafts high-octane novels that pulse with suspense, blending espionage, action, and intricate plots. From his gripping Pendulum trilogy to the globe-trotting Private series with James Patterson, his stories have hooked readers worldwide, earning acclaim for their relentless pace and thought-provoking depth.
Born in London in 1974, Hamdy’s journey to thriller stardom is as dynamic as his books. With a knack for weaving real-world issues into fiction, he’s become a standout voice in modern crime and espionage, all while living a sun-soaked life in Mauritius with his family.
The Making of Adam Hamdy
Adam Hamdy’s path to writing was anything but ordinary. Armed with a law degree from Oxford University and a philosophy degree from the University of London, he first conquered the corporate world as a strategy consultant, advising global businesses in tech, robotics, and finance. He even launched a startup, raising £7.5 million for an online payment system before selling it. But the pull of storytelling was stronger. A lifelong fan of thrillers, Hamdy left the suits behind to chase his passion, diving into writing novels and screenplays with the same intensity he once brought to boardrooms.
His diverse background—spanning law, business, and even competitive shooting and rock climbing—infuses his work with authenticity. Hamdy’s love for ‘lived research’ means his stories feel ripped from the headlines, grounded in his deep knowledge of finance, technology, and science.
Adam Hamdy’s Unforgettable Stories
Hamdy’s novels are rollercoasters of suspense, blending heart-pounding action with complex characters and global stakes. His debut, Battalion (2010), introduced his knack for futuristic thrillers, following Scott Pierce’s mission to thwart a terrorist plotting anarchy. The Pendulum trilogy (2016–2018) cemented his reputation, with its explosive opener earning praise from James Patterson as ‘one of the best thrillers of the year.’ Centered on photographer John Wallace, the series tackles conspiracy and betrayal, selected for BBC Radio 2’s Book Club and nominated for the Glass Bell Award.
The Scott Pearce series, starting with Black 13 (2020), dives into contemporary espionage, following an ex-MI6 agent battling radical extremists. Critics like Peter James called it a ‘new benchmark for the modern spy thriller.’ Hamdy’s collaboration with James Patterson on the Private series, including Private Moscow (2020) and Private Beijing (2022), showcases his ability to craft blockbuster crime dramas. His standalone novel, The Other Side of Night (2022), a New York Times Best Thriller of 2023, weaves speculative fiction with psychological depth, proving his versatility.
Hamdy’s style is slick and immersive, with tightly plotted narratives that balance breathless action with moral dilemmas. His research-heavy approach—drawing from science, tech, and global politics—gives his stories a chilling realism, while his characters, like the resilient Scott Pearce or haunted John Wallace, resonate with readers.
Why Adam Hamdy Matters
Adam Hamdy’s impact on the thriller genre lies in his ability to mirror our world’s complexities—terrorism, political extremism, and technological disruption—while keeping readers on the edge of their seats. His novels don’t just entertain; they provoke thought, challenging us to question power, loyalty, and truth. As a screenwriter, he’s shaping the future of thriller adaptations, working with studios across the Atlantic. Co-founding Capital Crime, a major UK literary festival, and serving on the International Thriller Writers board, Hamdy champions the genre and its community.
His global perspective, informed by his Mauritius home and Oxford roots, brings a fresh lens to espionage and crime, earning him a devoted following. For fans of Lee Child or John le Carré, Hamdy’s blend of grit and intellect is a must-read.
- Born: March 12, 1974, London, UK
- Key Works: Pendulum, Black 13, The Other Side of Night, Private Moscow
- Notable Awards: New York Times Best Thriller (2023), Glass Bell Award nominee
- Fun Fact: Hamdy’s a skilled rock climber and competitive shooter!
Snag Black 13 or The Other Side of Night and dive into Adam Hamdy’s electrifying world of thrills and intrigue!