Thrillers that make you think, feel, and hold your breath.
Discover Doug Richardson’s Offbeat Thriller Series
Librarian Resource Page
📘 Down Wind and Out of Sight
Publisher: Archway Publishing
ISBNs: Hardcover: 978-1-6657-1346-7 | Softcover: 978-1-6657-1348-1
Available through Ingram and major library distributors
Perfect for readers seeking diverse literary thrillers with neurodivergent representation and complex psychological depth.
Winner of seven literary awards, Down Wind and Out of Sight is Douglas Richardson's remarkable debut novel, written at age 75. This genre-bending thriller follows an emotionally-damaged Aboriginal financial wizard from the Australian outback to northern Chesapeake Bay, where he's hired to manage a vast estate and discovers a hidden "found family" of misfits—including an autistic teenage savant conducting groundbreaking electronics experiments.
Why Librarians Recommend This Book:
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Authentic diverse representation: Aboriginal protagonist, neurodivergent characters
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Cross-cultural appeal: Australian outback to American East Coast settings
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Neurodiversity focus: Thoughtful portrayal of autism and different ways of thinking
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Literary merit: Seven awards, including a Literary Titan Award, demonstrate exceptional quality
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Genre flexibility: Appeals to crime, techno-thriller, and literary fiction readers
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Found family themes: Universal appeal across age groups
Reader Advisory:
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Pacing: Complex psychological development with technological intrigue
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Themes: Trust, collaboration, human connection, cultural identity, neurodiversity
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Comparable titles: Appeals to readers of literary crime fiction, diverse voices
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Book club potential: Rich discussion topics around family, identity, and belonging
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Cross-genre appeal: Satisfies both literary and thriller readers
Collection Notes: Richardson's debut at age 75 showcases masterful storytelling with authentic Indigenous and neurodivergent representation. Contains mild violence; appropriate for adult collections. Strong appeal for readers seeking diverse voices and complex character studies.
Awards & Recognition:
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📖 Literary Titan Book Award – Gold
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🥉 Reader Views Reviewers Choice – Bronze
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🏅 American Fiction Awards – Finalist (Three Categories)
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🏆 National Indie Excellence Award – Finalist (Two Categories)
“An amazing novel full of complexities… a masterpiece.” – Reader Views
“Riveting and compelling… full of twists and turns… edge-of-your-seat suspense.” – Literary Titan
📕 Old Dogs, New Tricks
Publisher: Torchflame Books
ISBN: 978-1-61153-525-9
Available through Ingram and major library distributors
Perfect for readers seeking sophisticated thrillers with mature protagonists.
The first in the acclaimed Victor Harding Adventures series, Old Dogs, New Tricks is a smart and stylish psychological thriller featuring a retired architect in his 70s, Victor Harding, who becomes unexpectedly drawn into criminal activity after financial setbacks threaten the loss of his beloved Wisconsin lakeside home. As he navigates this dangerous new reality, he struggles to reunite his eccentric family while uncovering decades-old secrets that could destroy them all.
Why Librarians Recommend This Series:
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Authentic mature protagonists: Fills the gap for readers 50+ seeking relatable thriller heroes
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Educational entertainment: Readers consistently praise the seamless integration of criminal law, auto restoration, 1920s Chicago gang history, and investigative techniques—a raft of details that enhance rather than interrupt the thriller experience
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Multigenerational appeal: Character-driven story resonates across age groups
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Award-winning quality: 2025 American Fiction Awards Finalist demonstrates literary merit
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Series strength: First in acclaimed trilogy with strong reader following
Reader Advisory:
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Pacing: Fast-moving plot balanced with character development and wit
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Themes: Aging, family loyalty, second chances, moral complexity
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Comparable titles: Appeals to readers of Louise Penny, Tana French, John le Carré, Elizabeth George
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Book club potential: Discussion-worthy themes, sophisticated writing
Collection Notes: Written by Douglas Richardson at age 76, this novel brings authentic perspective to stories about finding purpose and adventure in later life. Contains mild violence and criminal activity; appropriate for adult collections.
Awards & Recognition:
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🏅 2025 American Fiction Awards – Finalist – Thriller: Crime
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⭐ 5-Star Review – Reader Views: “A gold standard for character-driven crime fiction.”
“A gold standard for character-driven crime fiction… a smart, engrossing start to what promises to be a memorable series.” – Reader Views, 5-Star Review
"A refreshingly original thriller that proves adventure doesn't end at retirement—it just gets more interesting.”
📗 Sea Cruise
Publisher: Dog Stars Press
ISBN: 979-8-218-60315-1
Available through Amazon expanded distribution including library networks
Perfect for readers seeking international thrillers with authentic multicultural perspectives and mature romance.
The second in the acclaimed Victor Harding Adventures series, Sea Cruise is a sophisticated psychological thriller. Victor Harding, a retired architect in his 70s, and his family journey to Cape Verde to visit his eccentric sister-in-law's mother. There he begins a late-life romance with Alva Batek, a brilliant Sri Lankan money launderer. After they plan a luxury sailboat cruise in the Caribbean, they are hijacked by a Venezuelan drug cartel.
Why Librarians Recommend This Series:
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Authentic multicultural representation: Sri Lankan, Venezuelan, and diverse international characters
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Late-life romance: Explores love and partnership beyond traditional young adult focus
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International settings: Cape Verde, Caribbean, Venezuela offer global perspectives
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Dual award recognition: Excellence in both adventure and multicultural storytelling
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Series continuity: Builds on the first Victor Harding Adventure, while remaining accessible to new readers
Reader Advisory:
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Pacing: High-stakes maritime adventure with character development
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Themes: Late-life reinvention, cross-cultural relationships, survival, moral complexity
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Comparable titles: Appeals to readers of international thrillers, Louise Penny, John le Carré
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Book club potential: Rich discussion topics around aging, diversity, second chances
Collection Notes: Written by Douglas Richardson at age 78, bringing authentic perspective to stories about adventure and romance in later life. Contains moderate violence and criminal activity; appropriate for adult collections.
Awards & Recognition:
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🏅 2025 American Fiction Award – Finalist – Adventure: General
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🏅 2025 American Fiction Awards – Finalist – Mystery/Suspense: Multicultural & Diverse
“This tremendously gifted author has done it again. Sea Cruise is in a class by itself… full of zigs and even bigger zags.” – David Richter, Former FBI Agent
"A thrilling blend of international intrigue and authentic multicultural storytelling—proves that adventure and romance don't end at 70."
About the Author
Douglas Richardson is an award-winning author who began his thriller-writing career at age 75, proving that creative reinvention knows no age limits. After retiring from a distinguished career as a federal prosecutor, mental health lawyer, executive coach and award-winning Dow Jones columnist, Richardson turned his decades of legal and psychological expertise into compelling fiction.
His experience as legal counsel for Pennsylvania's mental hospitals informs the deep psychological realism that has earned his Victor Harding Adventures series multiple American Fiction Awards recognition. In his mid-70s, Richardson wrote the first two books in the trilogy, bringing authentic lived experience to stories about adventure, crime, purpose, and second chances in later life.
A graduate of Harvard Law School, Doug has written for The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, The New York Times, and numerous other publications. His unique perspective as both a seasoned legal professional and late-blooming novelist creates thrillers that resonate powerfully with mature readers seeking sophisticated storytelling and relatable protagonists.
He lives outside Philadelphia with his wife and their three gonzo dogs.