''The Old Man'' is a stand-alone thriller novel by Thomas Perry, published by the

Mysterious Press The Mysterious Press is an American publishing company specializing in mystery fiction based in New York City. The company, founded in 1975 by Otto Penzler, has been associated with various publishing companies over the years, most recently with Gr ...

imprint of

Grove Atlantic Grove Atlantic, Inc. is an American independent publisher, based in New York City. Formerly styled "Grove/Atlantic, Inc.", it was created in 1993 by the merger of Grove Press and Atlantic Monthly Press. As of 2018 Grove Atlantic calls itself "An ...

in January 2017.

Synopsis

Former army intelligence officer Michael Kohler, who now goes by the name Dan Chase, lives in

Norwich, Vermont Norwich is a town in Windsor County, in the U.S. state of Vermont. The population was 3,612 at the 2020 census. Home to some of the state of Vermont's wealthiest residents, the municipality is a commuter town for nearby Hanover, New Hampshir ...

with his two dogs. However, he has been in hiding for most of his adult life after absconding with $20 million during a mission in Libya.

Reception

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...

'' called it an "engrossing if not flawless thriller." They also praised the "refreshing" unconventionality of an older action protagonist and the novel's "palpable" tension. However, they criticized the "contrived and unnecessary" backstory of a secondary character. ''

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...

'' called it "Swift, unsentimental, and deeply satisfying." The novel was nominated for the 2018 Barry Award for Best Thriller.

Television adaptation

The novel was developed into a television series of the same name by

Jonathan E. Steinberg Jonathan E. Steinberg is an American television producer, screenwriter, and director. Along with Josh Schaer and Stephen Chbosky, he co-created the television series ''Jericho (2006 TV series), Jericho'', where he served as writer, producer and e ...

and Robert Levine, with

Jeff Bridges Jeffrey Leon Bridges (born December 4, 1949) is an American actor. He has received various accolades throughout his career spanning over seven decades, including an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. Bridges comes from a prominent a ...

starring as the lead. The series premiered in the U.S. on

FX on Hulu FX Networks, LLC, is a company consisting of a network of cable channels plus a production company and a subsidiary of the Disney General Entertainment Content segment of The Walt Disney Company. Originally a part of 21st Century Fox, the comp ...

on June 16, 2022.

Synopsis

Reception

Television adaptation

References

Further reading