People have, since the printing press was invented, always been enthralled by stories of great mysteries and espionage. A thriller is a captivating medium that holds the reader or watcher spellbound, often scared out of their wits but never putting down the novel or encouraged to stop watching. Culture backgrounds and education levels may influence opinions but some popular suspense writers have transcended these boundaries and are universally popular. These writers have for decades enthralled and entertained people with their best spy thrillers.

The popularity of these stories has been further magnified by the filming industry that identified the wide ranging appeal for suspense. Top bestsellers have forever been preserved on celluloid and went on to become blockbuster films in their own right. These top notch movies in turn created new idols and instant mega film stars. Some have never been able to distance themselves from their spying film personality.

Spy novels have experienced popularity for more than a century. Baroness Orczy the author of Scarlet Pimpernel written in 1903 was possible the first to popularize this genre. Since then this fiction has been widely read and there are numerous novels published annually to cater to this demand. The followers of suspenseful spying stories are too many to determine and can be found in every country in the world.

The most famous spy of all time however must be James Bond. Even after the death of Ian Fleming, himself a spy during the war and the creator of Bond, his foundation has regularly commissioned other well known authors to write new novels featuring 007. Billions have been generated by the books, resulting movies and other spin off merchandise.

Although a book may not necessarily make a block buster movie 007, Le Carre's George Smiley and Ludlum's Bourne series have made it in both film and written word. The Thirty-Nine Steps published in 1915 is often seen as the scene setter for later books in this genre. Each and everyone a good story and plot.

Others who have carried the flag and promoted this genre include Len Deighton, Ken Follett, Frederick Forsythe, Graham Greene and Ira Levine. Not all the well known movies of thrilling suspense are based on books. There are a few top notch films that are continually re-screened decades after their first release. Among those are classics like Charade, Ipcress File, North By North West and Three Days of the Condor.

Both genders young and old avidly read suspense novels. Existing authors and amateurs wanting to get a foot in the door write in this vein. Some stories are based on true events and seem almost too far-fetched to be true. This proves that in many instances real life stories are often stranger than fiction.

At the end of the day the best spy thrillers in modern times seem to be 007 and Bourne movies. They are netting more than ever before and with each generation they gather new fans. A number of others are close second but they will have to go a further mile or so to join these elite two.