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Richard Neely

リチャード・ニーリイ

Richard Neely

Aliases: リチャード・ニーリィ / リチャード・ニーリー

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1920-04-18 （New York, USA）
Died
1999-10-04 age 79
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
New York, USA → California, USA

Career

Occupations
novelist, journalist, advertising creative director, vice president
Active Years
1969-1983

Awards

MWA Paperback Award
Work: The Smith Conspiracy
Category: ペイパーバック賞
Organization: Mystery Writers of America (MWA)
Result: 受賞
MWA Best Novel (nomination)
1976
Work: A Madness at the Heart
Category: 長編小説賞
Organization: Mystery Writers of America (MWA)
Result: ノミネート

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Death to My Beloved

1969 Mystery/Thriller

A suspense novel exploring abnormal psychology and fractured relationships. Debut novel published in 1969.

psychological suspensebetrayal

The Plastic Nightmare (Shattered)

1969 Mystery/Thriller

A suspense story centered on mental disorientation and deception. Later adapted into the film Shattered directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

identitydeception
Adaptations
  • [Film] Shattered (1991) / Wolfgang Petersen (1991)

While Love Lay Sleeping

1969 Mystery

A mystery about love and loss. Detailed information is limited.

lossrevenge

The Walter Syndrome

1970 Mystery

A suspense-heavy novel. Specific plot details are limited.

criminal psychology

The Damned Innocents (Dirty Hands)

1971 Mystery/Thriller

A work depicting corruption, conspiracy and morally complex situations. Adapted into a film by Claude Chabrol.

conspiracymoral dilemma
Adaptations
  • [Film] Les innocents aux mains sales / Claude Chabrol (1975)

The Japanese Mistress

1972 Mystery/Romance

A novel about cross-cultural relationships and entanglements. Detailed information is limited.

cross-culturalaffair

The Sexton Woman

1972 Mystery/Thriller

A suspense involving family and past secrets. Adapted as a TV drama in Japan ("Father Killing's Reward").

familysecrets
Adaptations
  • [Television drama] Father Killing's Reward / 今野勉 (1982)

The Smith Conspiracy

1972 Mystery/Conspiracy

A conspiracy-themed novel. Recognized by the MWA in its paperback category.

conspiracypolitical undercurrents

The Ridgway Women

1973 Mystery

A story entwining family relations and secrets. Detailed information scarce.

family drama

A Madness at the Heart

1974 Mystery/Psychological suspense

Considered one of the author's major works, notable for psychological detail and twist endings.

psychological breakdowntwist ending

Lies

1978 Mystery

A work exploring the boundary between lies and truth. Specifics are limited.

liestruth

No Certain Life

1978 Fiction

A work about life's uncertainties and human relationships. Details limited.

uncertainty

The Obligation

1979 Mystery

A novel centered on obligation and responsibility. Limited details available.

responsibilityduty

An Accidental Woman

1981 Fiction/Mystery

A story about a person whose life is changed by accidental events. Details limited.

chancefate

Shadows from the Past

1983 Mystery

A story where past shadows affect the present. Detailed information limited.

the pastmemory

Bibliography

  • Death to My Beloved - 1969
  • The Plastic Nightmare (Shattered) - 1969
  • While Love Lay Sleeping - 1969
  • The Walter Syndrome - 1970
  • The Damned Innocents (Dirty Hands) - 1971
  • The Japanese Mistress - 1972
  • The Sexton Woman - 1972
  • The Smith Conspiracy - 1972
  • The Ridgway Women - 1973
  • A Madness at the Heart - 1974
  • Lies - 1978
  • No Certain Life - 1978
  • The Obligation - 1979
  • An Accidental Woman - 1981
  • Shadows from the Past - 1983

Adaptations

  • Les innocents aux mains sales (The Damned Innocents) - 1975 film (dir. Claude Chabrol)
  • Shattered (The Plastic Nightmare) - 1991 film (dir. Wolfgang Petersen)
  • Father Killing's Reward - 1982 TV drama (TBS)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
psychologically driven suspensenarrative tricks and frequent twist endings
Recurring Motifs
betrayalfamily secretsidentity confusion

Legacy

Richard Neely is regarded as an American mystery writer skilled in psychological suspense and narrative tricks. Several of his works were adapted for film and television and gained recognition overseas, including in Japan. Notable work includes A Madness at the Heart.

Academic Societies

  • Mystery Writers of America (MWA)

Archives

  • Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) record

In Popular Culture

  • Several works adapted into films and TV dramas (e.g., Les innocents aux mains sales, Shattered).

Trivia

  • Born in New York; later moved to California.
  • Worked as a journalist and in advertising before becoming a novelist.
  • Several works were adapted for film and television.
  • Debuted as a novelist in 1969. Died in 1999 at age 79.