William Diehl

William Diehl (/diːl/; December 4, 1924 – November 24, 2006) was an American novelist and photojournalist.

Biography

Diehl was a successful photographer and journalist, when he began his novel-writing career at 50. His first novel, Sharky's Machine, was made into the 1981 film of the same name, directed and starred Burt Reynolds. Diehl saw it being shot on location in and around his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Its cast included Vittorio Gassman, Brian Keith, Charles Durning, Earl Holliman, Rachel Ward, Bernie Casey, Henry Silva, and Richard Libertini. It was the most successful box-office release of a film directed by Reynolds.

Diehl relocated to St. Simons Island, Georgia, in the early 1980s, and lived there for the next 15 years before returning to Atlanta. While living on St. Simons, he completed eight other novels, including Primal Fear, which was adapted into a 1996 film.

Death

Diehl died of an aortic aneurysm at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta on November 24, 2006, while working on his 10th novel. He was survived by five children, four (Cathy, Bill, Stan, and Melissa) from his first marriage, and one (Temple) from his second marriage.

Bibliography

• Sharky's Machine (1978)
• Chameleon (1981)
• Hooligans (1984)
• Thai Horse (1987)
• The Hunt (27) (1990)
• Primal Fear (1993)†
• Show of Evil (1995)†
• Reign in Hell (1997)†
• Eureka (2002)
• Seven Ways to Die (2012) with Kenneth John Atchity^[1]

†Primal Fear, Show of Evil, and Reign in Hell are all part of the Martin Vail series featuring the character Aaron Stampler.

References

External links

• "'Primal Fear' author Diehl dies at 81", Associated Press, 26 November 2006
• William Diehl at IMDb—links to info on films based on Diehl's novels