# RIP: Thomas Perry, Mystery Writer at Age 78

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-thomas-perry-mystery-writer-at-age-78/1023547>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Tags:** books-writing-myths\
**Created:** [October 1, 2025, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-thomas-perry-mystery-writer-at-age-78/1023547 "2025-10-01T00:57:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-thomas-perry-mystery-writer-at-age-78/1023547/1 "2025-10-01T00:57:06Z")

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**Thomas Perry Dies at 78; Writer of Popular, Unconventional Thrillers**

His many novels, including the prizewinning “The Butcher’s Boy” and the Jane Whitefield series, can have readers rooting for both protagonist and antagonist.

[https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/books/thomas-perry-dead.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/books/thomas-perry-dead.html)

> Thomas Perry, a best-selling, critically acclaimed novelist whose 32 inventive thrillers were known for their intricate plots, unexpectedly sympathetic villains and intriguing heroes, among them a Native American woman who helps people take on new identities, died on Sept. 15 in Los Angeles. He was 78.
> 
> His death, in a hospital, was caused by an aortic dissection, a tear in the body’s major blood vessel, said his wife, [Jo Perry](https://www.authorjoperry.com/), who is also a mystery writer.
> 
> Mr. Perry produced gripping stories populated by a singular cast of characters, including a ruthless professional hit man in his prizewinning 1982 debut, “The Butcher’s Boy,” and Jane Whitefield, a member of the Seneca Nation who guides vulnerable individuals to safe havens. (She is scheduled to reappear early next year in the finale to a 10-book series.)

One of my favorite authors.

This is paywalled; perhaps someone can give a gift link.

Strange that he died over two weeks ago and no obituaries until today.

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**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-thomas-perry-mystery-writer-at-age-78/1023547/2 "2025-10-01T01:25:03Z")

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Here you go. Gift link:

[https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/books/thomas-perry-dead.html?unlocked\_article\_code=1.qE8.WOIx.mZn7BxC5ze\_T&smid=url-share](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/books/thomas-perry-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.qE8.WOIx.mZn7BxC5ze_T&smid=url-share)