John R. Hoffman is a Professor of Biology, public speaker and a scientist examining the recovery of the nervous system after injury. Since 2006 he has written several unpublished manuscripts and he is currently working on the first Nathaniel Smythe novel and short story collection. He spends his spare time with his family and running.

Nathaniel Smythe Thrillers

Nathaniel “Nate” Smythe is a stereotypic all-American male, although he didn’t live in the United States until going to college.  Nate is a varsity athlete, Harvard graduate, and navy veteran who joins the Philadelphia Police Department as a rookie detective.

Nate is the only son of John Adams Smythe, a prominent U.S. State Department diplomat and Madeline “Maddie” Argonne.  As a child, Nate lived on the grounds of a number of embassies throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.  His formal schooling was conducted at the American schools provided by the embassy for expatriates, but informally he learned through an adventurous process of exploring the area on his own.  His father moved extensively in as a diplomat, so Nate seldom went to a particular school for more than a year.  His exposure to a range of cultures and languages during his formative years provided Nate with valuable language skills and he is proficient in a number of languages.

At his father’s behest, Nate settled down in Boston as an undergraduate student at Harvard University (1994 – 1997).  While in the Boston area, he developed a love for American muscle cars and racing.  He graduated ahead of schedule while completing two majors.  The first in international affairs as directed by his father and a second in psychology, because he discovered an interest in the field.  While a student, Nate competed on the cross-country, fencing, and track teams.

In 1998, Nate moved to Philadelphia to enter a Ph.D. Program in abnormal psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. By 2001, he was nearing completion of his degree.  However, after the events of 9-11 he dropped out of the program and joined the navy.

Nate’s language skills and ability to easily adjust to the customs of new locales resulted in his assignment to naval intelligence and rapid promotion to the rank of lieutenant commander.  He worked closely with special operation teams working covertly in Iraq and Afghanistan. during this time he completed his doctoral degree, but his dissertation research is classified and not publicly available. While in Iraq on a mission the Humvee he was driving struck an IED and he was seriously injured.  After an extended recovery at Walter Reed Medical Hospital, Nate received an honorable discharge and a job with the Philadelphia Police Department.

He wants to return to active duty in the navy, but in the meantime, can he survive as a rookie detective?

Summer of Phear: A Nathaniel Smythe Thriller. A rookie police detective struggles for acceptance as a serial killer seeks to become the ultimate predator during a hot Philadelphia summer.