James Hadley Chase was a pseudonym of Rene Brabazon Raymond (1906-1985), one of the most successful thriller writers of all time. Born in England, Raymond worked as a book salesman and an executive before publishing his first novel in 1939. He joined the RAF during the second World War, rising to the rank of Squadron Leader before resuming his writing career. In the post-war years, Chase became immensely successful, eventually publishing ninety books, thirty of which were made into feature films.