Brad Meltzer loves the kind of story that makes people say: How does no one know this story?
It was the largest public execution of its time in all of North America.
Why does no one know about it?
Credit: Michelle Watson/CatchLightgroup; Flatiron Books
The British were literally coming, about to invade.
With headlines like that, the plot to kill Washington became just a footnote, Meltzer says.
He uncovered the story about 10 years ago, while doing historical research into another thriller novel.
Simon & Schuster
I couldnt shake it.
A secret plot to kill George Washington?Cmon.
It stuck with me.
Eric Ogden; Grand Central Publishing
I kept going back to the detail and asking, What else happened?
To answer that, he recruited a top researcher and writer from his TV showLost History.
Josh Mensch was masterful, Meltzer says.
Bruce Birmelin
Entertainment Weeklydecided to excavate some of Meltzers own pop-culture past.
Here are the books, music, movies, and TV shows that shaped him.
My favorite book as a childTakes of the Fourth Grade Nothing, by Judy Blume.Superfudge, by Judy Blume.
Michael Weinstein/Castle Rock Entertainment
Anything by Judy Blume.
It was the first murder mystery Id ever read.
To this day, I still dont know what a vicarage is.
Sony Pictures Animation
And I dont want to.
In fact, if you ever meet me, dont tell me.
Adead body.Howd it get there?
Lynn Johnson/Focus Features
Whyd it happen?And the most vital question of all:Whodunit?
But lately, Ive realized I can watchLogana billion times and never be bored.
If my son is around, same answer forDeadpool.
A classic that Im embarrassed to say Ive never readThe Lord of the Rings.
I picked it up in my 30s, as my first son was born.
And that was the end of it.
Never got past it.
Every nerd has a nerd blindspot.
It is my nerd blindspot.
(And yes, I saw the movies.
A book Ive pretended to have readThe Lord of the Rings.
An illicit book that I had to read in secret as a kidForever, by Judy Blume.
Ooh, those dirty parts were dog-eared.Dog-eared!
A book that people might be surprised to learn that I lovedFlowers for Algernon.
Ive stolen from that time and time again.
I can read that again.
Holds up in every way.
A book I consider to be grossly overratedI got 24 rejection letters on my first novel.
There were only 20 publishers at the time, and I got24rejection letters.
So I never badmouth anyones books.
Every book is for someone.
Every book has a home.
Even the bad ones.
A recent book I wish Id writtenMister Miracle, by Tom King and Mitch Gerads.
I am obsessed with the character.
Its why I createdDr.
And I was worried they wouldnt stick the ending.
But my God, did that ending undo me.
So perfect in every way.
The first non-fiction book I read was…Some book about knights.
I cant remember the title.
It was for an old book report when I was 10 or so.
Favorite literary conspiracy theory?Nothing beats Shakespeare.
Shakespeare was a woman!
He was 17 different people!
He was a blacksmith whos the bastard son of the king!
(That may be fromGame of Thrones.)
Nothing makes me laugh harder than my own jokes.
For cry, watch me readWhat Do You Do With an Idea?to my kids and… TEARS!
The book I think is the gold standard for historical thrillersManhunt, by James Swanson.
We absolutely went for that same goal withThe First Conspiracy.
My favorite fictional appearance by George WashingtonThe Simpsons.
The actor Id want to play me in a movieMurr fromImpractical Jokerskeeps asking.
I keep saying no.
Though I love when people in airports tell me I look like that doctor fromER.
Anthony Edwards, they answer.
The TV show I think doesnt get its dueJack & Bobby.
[Meltzer was co-creator of the 2004-2005 WB drama.]
Would it really kill someone to finally put it on Netflix?
The last TV series I bingedWild Wild Country, on Netflix.
I am a sucker for cults.
I want to believe so badly.
And this documentary just found the perfect voices to tell their story.
The lawyer alone is so brilliantly complicated.
The TV show thats my guiltiest pleasureReality TV with my daughter.
When my mom was dying, Id watch the worst of the worst reality TV shows with her.
My daughter has topped my mother.
Name a show you hate.
Thats the one we watch.
With those people you cant stand.
And I truly love every second of it.
My all-time favorite movieShawshank.
I will watch it forever.
Part of me went to the University of Michigan because Lawrence Kasdan went there.
The last book I gave as a giftHilo, by Judd Winick.
The book I would use to squash a bugMoby Dick.
It is the best way to read that massive tome.
And then, at the end of that class, the professor said, Anyone here watchTwin Peaks?
Come see me to discuss.
I ran to the front, blathering all my amazing theories of who killed Laura Palmer.
The song that always makes me feel betterEverything by Barbra Streisand.
She was my mothers favorite.
When my Mom died, it brought her back.
And I got to dance with my daughter to it.
That alone will lift me up forever.
The last album I listened toSpider-Man: Into the Spider-versesoundtrack.
Sunflower is on permanent repeat around here.
To see pals like Brian Bendis get his deserved credit?
Makes me as happy as Miles in that opening scene.
(I also know the lyrics as well as he does.)
The first album I bought with my own moneyBrother in Arms, by Dire Straits.
It was when CDs first came on the scene and people said, Its recorded SPECIFICALLY for the CD!
No cassette fuzz here.
So I believed them.
Plus, yknow, I want my MTV.
The song people might be surprised I know all the words toThe Devil Went Down to Georgia.
It played all summer at camp.
I am the Eminem of 70s country-ish music when you put that sucker on.
The fictional place Ive dreamed of moving toMister Rogers Neighborhood.
God, I still want to go.Sesame Street(Ive been).
Also,Gilligans Island.
As a kid, I really thought I could get us off that island.
The fictional character Id want on my side in a zombie apocalypseSuperman.
Any other answer is wrong.
Unless zombies are magic, in which case, at least you get the Fortress.
The fictional group of pals Ive always felt I belonged inThe SuperFriends.
I still believe it to my core.
In todays world, weve lost sight of good.
Pure good for goods sake.
Helping people because itsright.
I hear the TroubleAlert, and I come running.
Have I ever bought my own book in a bookstore?I did!
The cashier was laughing the entire time.
