The New York Times—bestselling author discusses the creation of their beloved English police inspector and his long-running mystery series. Scotland Yard's Insp. Ian Rutledge made his debut in 1996 with Charles Todd's historical police procedural “A Test of Wills”. Many years and cases later, the shell-shocked World War I veteran has won over readers far and wide. But how did such a troubled yet wise character come to be? Writing together...

The Boston PI agrees to an interview in this entertaining blend of short story and biographical profile by the legendary mystery author. Spenser and his psychologist girlfriend, Susan, are relaxing in a courtyard on a lovely June afternoon. But accompanying them is Susan's friend Amy, and she's got a project: a book examining the men in risky professions-cops, firemen, special forces soldiers . . . and PIs. Requesting some help in her research,...

The #1 New York Times–bestselling author brings you into the world of the LAPD's Harry Bosch, and the history that shaped him. In this short work, Michael Connelly delves into the origins of his famed police detective,-how he faced down the horrors of his childhood (a background story that was based on the life of another renowned crime writer); his past as a tunnel rat in Vietnam; and why jazz is his soundtrack. Connelly also shares the story...

The New York Times–bestselling author reflects on the life and career of his character, NYPD forensic scientist Lincoln Rhyme, in this short story. The line between the disabled and the non-disabled is shrinking. Computers, video cameras, high-definition monitors, biometric devices and voice recognition software have moved my life closer to that of somebody who's fully able bodied, while the same technology is creating a more sedentary, house-bound...

The New York Times–bestselling author's "engaging cop hero" finds himself on the other side of the interview room in this revealing short story (Publishers Weekly). After twenty-seven years on the force, Lt. Lou Boldt is suddenly seated at a table being grilled as part of an internal investigation. They want him to talk about what happened with ten grand in cash in the evidence room. As the pressure mounts and Boldt leads his interrogators...

The USA Today—bestselling author details how she became a crime novelist and how she created her acclaimed husband-and-wife detective team. In 1986, Faye Kellerman introduced LAPD detective Peter Decker and widowed yeshiva teacher Rina Lazarus in her crime novel, The Ritual Bath. The debut won Kellerman the 1987 Macavity Award for Best First Novel and turned into a long-running bestselling series. But how exactly did it all come about? In this...

The international-bestselling author answers readers' questions and discusses the origins of the Oxford inspector with a penchant for classical music. In 1975, “Inspector Morse” debuted, working to solve the case of a murdered hitchhiker in Colin Dexter's “Last Bus to Woodstock”. The book led to a multimillion-bestselling mystery series and a television show that spawned a spinoff and a prequel. But how did the beloved DCI from Oxford come...

The #1 New York Times—bestselling author discusses his early days as a writer and the creation of his beloved psychologist and sleuth. In 1985, clinical child psychologist Alex Delaware made his debut in the mystery novel When the Bough Breaks by Jonathan Kellerman. But how did Kellerman create a character who would go on to win him Edgar and Anthony Awards for best first novel and make him a number, one New York Times—bestselling author? Discover...

The #1 New York Times–bestselling author invites you into a conversation with his two most popular characters-one well-liked and the other, not so much. In this short piece, Robert Crais brings us into the world of quirky and likable Los Angeles PI Elvis Cole and his friend Joe Pike, a survivor and an enigmatic man of few words. The discussion revolves around the choices they've made, the obstacles they've overcome, the things that drive them...

The #1 New York Times–bestselling author reveals the story behind "one of this century's most original, tantalizing pop-fiction heroes" (The Washington Post). In this short piece, the creator of Jack Reacher shares the origins of the ex-military cop who now makes use of his skills in the civilian world-a place where he never feels quite at home. In addition, Lee Child reflects on writing and his own life story: the importance of character; making...