Jake Raymond Needham is an American novelist and screenwriter. He is a frequent speaker at schools and universities throughout Asia and guest on Asian television[1] and radio networks.[citation needed] His award-winning English-language crime and espionage novels are set in Asia where he has lived for over thirty-five years, which brings realism and authenticity to his narratives.[2][3]Bangkok Post called Needham "Michael Connelly with steamed rice."[4]Asia Business[clarification needed] magazine said that "Needham certainly knows where some bodies are buried,"[5] and Matt Crook] said on CNN Travel that "Needham's stories have a 'ripped from the headlines' feel."[6]
Since 1981, Needham has lived and worked in Asia. He is married to Pintuporn Sawamiphakdi,[7][9] a graduate of Oxford University. She is the former editor of the Thai edition of Tatler magazine and a columnist with the Bangkok Post.[8] They have two sons and have lived in Thailand since 1993.[10]
Professional background
Needham is a novelist and screenwriter. Since 1999, he has published fifteen popular mystery and thriller novels. In 2024, he was presented with the Barry Award at Bouchercon 24, the world’s largest convention of mystery and thriller readers, for Best Paperback Original Novel of 2024. He has been a three-time nominee for the Barry Award. He has been the owner of a small television production studio, which allowed him to produce and write television programming. He began writing screenplays, in an effort to improve the profitability of the organization. While he lacked direct experience, his film scripts were often purchased and released on cable network television.[7][11]
Film
In 1994, he served as the screenwriter and producer of the film Natural Causes, starring Linda Purl, Ali MacGraw, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. Prior to his death, actor James Gandolfini expressed interest in purchasing the film rights to Needham's book, The Big Mango. Gandolfini wanted HBO Films to produce the work,[8] desiring to star in the film, alongside Demi Moore.[9] When HBO failed to step forward and act on their assertion that they wanted to purchase the rights to the film, the French production house of Canal+ made an offer, which Needham accepted. While Canal+ verbally agreed to retain Gandolfini as the star of the film, they later reneged on their agreement, stating their desire to bring on Tom Cruise as the lead. When Cruise declined, the licensing deal fell through.[8]
Print
Needham is known as one of the best-selling English-language authors in Asia.[7] Until 2012, the print editions of books have been published by Marshall Cavendish Editions in Singapore.[12] While Marshall Cavendish distributed his novels in Asia, Europe, Australia, and the United Kingdom, they are not available in North America.[13] Needham's publishing contract with Marshall Cavendish ended over a disagreement pertaining to the content of his novel, The Umbrella Man. Needham chose to end the contract when his publisher expressed concern that the Singapore government would be offended by the content.[14] Following the termination of their publishing relationship, Needham's work has been published digitally and in paperback editions by Half Penny Ltd. Hong Kong.[10]
Published works
1999. The Big Mango, Asia Books Ltd, Bangkok, 378 pages. ISBN978-9748237367
