Next came "Shibumi" in 1979, a meta-spy novel, which received the most critical acclaim. In 1983, he published "The Summer of Katya", a psychological horror novel. The wide diversity of genres led to a popular theory that "Trevanian" was a collective pen name for a group of writers working together. Under the name Nicholas Seare, Trevanian also published "1339...or So: Being an Apology for a Pedlar" (1975), a witty medieval tale of love and courage; and "Rude Tales and Glorious" (1983), a bawdy retelling of Arthurian tales.