Picture a storyteller who spins tales of assassins disguised as interns, blending cinematic thrills with razor-sharp wit—meet Shane Kuhn! This American author, with roots in film and advertising, crafts edge-of-your-seat thrillers that pulse with suspense and dark humor. From his breakout John Lago series to the gripping standalone The Asset, Kuhn’s unique voice captivates readers worldwide.
Kuhn’s stories aren’t just page-turners; they’re rollercoasters that merge high-stakes action with insightful commentary on corporate culture and human nature. Ready to dive into his world? Let’s explore the man behind the mayhem.
The Making of Shane Kuhn
Born with a knack for storytelling, Shane Kuhn’s journey to thriller stardom began far from the page. A former college baseball player with a fastball in the low 90s, his athletic dreams were sidelined by injury, pushing him toward creative pursuits. Kuhn carved a niche in the entertainment industry, co-founding the Slamdance Film Festival and working as a writer, director, and producer for major studios like Universal and Sony. His advertising career, where he honed his copywriting chops, sharpened his ability to craft compelling narratives for mass audiences.
This eclectic background—blending film, advertising, and a love for hard-hitting stories—set the stage for Kuhn’s pivot to novels. Living in Colorado with his family, he channels his diverse experiences into thrillers that feel like blockbuster movies, earning him a spot in the Writer’s Guild of America and a loyal readership.
Shane Kuhn’s Unforgettable Stories
Kuhn burst onto the literary scene in 2014 with The Intern’s Handbook, the first in his John Lago Thriller series. This darkly comic novel follows John Lago, an elite assassin posing as an unpaid intern to infiltrate top-tier companies and eliminate high-profile targets. Praised as “Dexter working in The Office” by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, it blends brutal efficiency with corporate satire, earning international bestseller status and a Sony Pictures film deal.
The series continued with Hostile Takeover (2015), where Lago faces his deadliest foe—his own wife—in a thrilling mix of action and wit. Kuhn also penned a prequel novella, Casual Friday (2014), fleshing out Lago’s early missions. His standalone novel, The Asset (2016), shifts gears to follow Kennedy, a private airport security contractor haunted by his sister’s death on 9/11, recruited into a CIA operation to thwart a catastrophic terrorist plot. Critics lauded its “exhilarating” pace and unexpected twists, cementing Kuhn’s knack for reinventing thriller tropes.
Kuhn’s style is unmistakably cinematic, with vivid settings, whip-smart dialogue, and characters that linger long after the final page. His stories tackle themes like corporate greed, personal redemption, and the cost of vengeance, all wrapped in a playful, irreverent tone that keeps readers hooked.
Why Shane Kuhn Matters
Shane Kuhn’s impact lies in his ability to blend entertainment with substance. His novels don’t just thrill; they critique the absurdities of modern life, from soul-crushing office jobs to the shadowy world of espionage. By infusing humor and heart into high-octane plots, he’s carved a niche in the thriller genre, appealing to fans of Lee Child and Brad Thor while offering a fresh, irreverent perspective.
His influence extends beyond books. As a Slamdance co-founder, Kuhn has championed independent filmmakers, and his screenwriting experience ensures his stories resonate visually, making them ripe for adaptation. With The Intern’s Handbook slated for the big screen, Kuhn’s star continues to rise, proving that his brand of storytelling—bold, witty, and unapologetic—is here to stay.
- Born: United States
- Key Works: The Intern’s Handbook, Hostile Takeover, The Asset, Casual Friday
- Notable Achievement: Co-founder of Slamdance Film Festival
Snag The Intern’s Handbook and dive into Shane Kuhn’s thrilling world of assassins and intrigue—you won’t put it down!