Richard Martin Stern

Richard Martin Stern (1915-2001) was an American novelist best known for his disaster and suspense fiction, particularly The Tower, which became the basis for the 1974 film The Towering Inferno. A former architectural engineer, Stern drew heavily on his technical knowledge to create detailed, realistic scenarios in his thriller novels. His work frequently centered on disasters involving buildings, fires, and other engineering-related catastrophes. During his writing career spanning from the 1950s to 1990s, Stern authored over 20 novels including Johnny Hazard, Flood, The Kessler Legacy, and Power. He received an Edgar Award nomination for Murdercon, demonstrating his ability to write across multiple genres including mystery and crime fiction. Before becoming a full-time writer, Stern served in World War II as an Army Air Corps officer and worked as an architect in New Mexico. This professional background provided authentic technical details that became a hallmark of his writing style, particularly in his disaster novels.

Readers on Goodreads and Amazon rate Richard Martin Stern's disaster thrillers 3.5-4 stars on average, with most agreeing his technical research and architectural details add authenticity to his stories. Readers appreciated: - Detailed descriptions of building construction and engineering - Fast-paced action sequences - Realistic portrayals of emergency response procedures - Strong technical knowledge displayed in The Tower and other works Common criticisms: - Character development seen as shallow by some - Dialogue can feel stiff or dated - Plot twists called predictable by multiple reviewers - Later works viewed as formulaic retreads The Tower receives the highest ratings of his works (4.1/5 on Goodreads from 500+ ratings, 4.2/5 on Amazon from 200+ reviews). Many readers note its superiority to the film adaptation The Towering Inferno, with one Amazon reviewer stating "Stern's original novel has much better pacing and more compelling technical details than the Hollywood version."

The Tower (1973) A tale of catastrophe at a glass-and-steel skyscraper in New York City where fire breaks out during the building's grand opening celebration.

Flood (1979) A disaster novel about a major dam failure threatening to destroy a city in the American Southwest.

Power (1976) Chronicles events at a nuclear power plant where technical failures and human error lead to a potential meltdown.

The Kessler Legacy (1980) A thriller following the discovery of sensitive World War II documents that could affect modern international relations.

Murdercon (1979) A mystery set at a science fiction convention where a series of murders disrupts the proceedings.

Johnny Hazard (1960) A crime novel about an ex-Air Force pilot who becomes entangled in dangerous smuggling operations.

The Balance of Terror (1971) A Cold War thriller about the threat of nuclear conflict between superpowers.

Snowbound Six (1977) A survival story about six people trapped in a mountain cabin during a severe blizzard.

Arthur Hailey wrote technically detailed disaster and infrastructure-focused thrillers like "Airport" and "Hotel" that mirror Stern's engineering expertise. His novels similarly blend technical accuracy with high-stakes scenarios involving building systems and transportation infrastructure.

Michael Crichton combines scientific/technical detail with disaster scenarios and thriller elements in works like "Jurassic Park" and "The Andromeda Strain." His background as a physician informs his technical writing style similar to how Stern's engineering background shaped his work.

James Patterson creates fast-paced thrillers with detailed procedural elements in series like Alex Cross. His focus on methodical investigation and technical accuracy appeals to readers who appreciate Stern's attention to practical details.

John D. MacDonald wrote suspense novels with technical precision and engineering elements, particularly in his Travis McGee series. His background knowledge of boats and mechanics parallels Stern's use of architectural expertise.

Allen Drury produced political thrillers with meticulous attention to procedural detail and infrastructure elements. His work shares Stern's focus on systems and institutions under pressure during crisis situations.