Q&A With Christopher Reich

 

Q: Christopher, where did the idea for the novel Matterhorn come from? For those who haven’t read the book would you like to give a brief synopsis?

 

A: I’ve been a climber all my life.  I’ve visited Zermatt and the Matterhorn many times.  For years, I’ve wanted to set a thriller on what is undoubtedly the world’s most recognizable mountain. 

 

The story centers on Mac Dekker, a “retired” CIA operative who is forced out of hiding in the Swiss Alps to avenge the death of his son and stop a terrorist act that will upend the balance of power in Europe and kills untold thousands. 

 

Q: I saw on Amazon there is a sequel to Matterhorn titled The Tourists coming out on May 13, 2025. What can those of us who read Matterhorn expect in the sequel?

 

A: Mac Dekker travels to Paris to propose to the love of his life, Ava Attal, at the famous Jules Verne restaurant in the Eiffel Tower.  Before he can pop the question, Ava mysteriously disappears after leaving the table to take a phone call. Mac sets out to find her and is quickly up to his neck in an international conspiracy that threatens the peace of all Europe. 

 

Q: I know you’ve done different things before becoming an author, did you always know that writing was what you wanted to do?

 

A: Absolutely not.  I had my eyes set on a career in high finance.  I worked in Switzerland and Hong for a large Swiss Bank, then transitioned to the watch industry where I founded and ran a company for six years.  One day at the age of 32, I decided I’d had enough of the corporate world.  For some crazy reason, I thought I could write bestselling thrillers.  That was fifteen books ago!

 

Q: How does it feel knowing your books are on the New York Times Bestseller List? It must be a dream come true!

 

A: I’ll never forget the first time I got a call from my editor at Delacorte, Leslie Schnur, telling me that my debut novel, “Numbered Account” had hit “the list.”  I was over the moon.  I don’t think there are words to describe it.  Luckily, it wasn’t the last time!  It is always a thrill. 

 

Q: Are you currently writing book 3 in the Matterhorn series or is it a different story entirely?

A: Book three goes back in time to the eve of WWII when Mac Dekker’s grandfather, Monty Dekker, is sent by the OSS to Switzerland to prevent the Germans from stealing money from a large Swiss bank and helping finance a deadly weapons system.  It takes place during the week of December 7th, 1941. 

 

Q: You were born in Tokyo Japan, and you’ve been to Switzerland, two of the many places I would love to see one day. What were your favorite places in both Japan and Switzerland?

 

A: In Japan, I love visiting the ancient bathhouses and spas in the town of Atami, where guest don kimonos and take steaming hot baths and enjoy traditional Japanese meals.  Switzerland is my second home. In summer, I love hiking above the resort town of Arosa.  In winter, I enjoy skiing in Zermatt.  A close second is dinner at the famed Kronenhalle restaurant in Zurich!  Beyond delicious!! 

 

Q: When creating characters, do you use bits and pieces of real people you

 

A: It is impossible not to use characteristics of friends, acquaintances, and public figures. 

 

Q: Does Hollywood have the rights to any of your books? The entertainment industry is in desperate need of new material. I could see Matterhorn being a great series. 

 

A: My series of novels featuring Simon Riske is set to begin production any day from Netflix UK & it will directed by Edward Berger, Academy Award winning director of “All Quiet on the Western Front.”  

 

We are in talks with two producers to bring “Matterhorn” to the big screen as a two-hour movie, hopefully filmed in IMAX on the face of the Matterhorn itself.  Just imagine Chris Hemsworth chasing Brad Pitt up the most famous mountain in the world!!