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this essay, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child discuss how the character, Special Agent Aloysius X, came to be created, his enigmatic backstory, and the history of their own wildly successful writing partnership.

Retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. Bob Lee Swagger debuted in Stephen Hunter's military action thriller Point of Impact in 1993. The book was the first of many adventures for the fictional sniper and inspired a hit-movie, as well as a television series. But what led to the invention of such a character? In this quick read, Hunter shares how "the Nailer" came to his kitchen table and subsequently sprang to life. Hunter discusses the real-life hero who served...

The bestselling author shares how he developed his celebrated sleuth, a Nottingham detective akin to Jim Rockford but dressed like Columbo. In 1989, Lonely Hearts, a police procedural by John Harvey, introduced Det. Insp. Charlie Resnick to the world. The book was followed by a series and went on to be named one of the 100 Best Crime Novels of the Last Century by the Times. But how did the sandwich-loving policeman and jazz aficionado come to be? In...

The New York Times—bestselling author tells the story of how he created his popular San Francisco sleuth. In 1989, everyman “Dismas Hardy” debuted in John Lescroart's mystery, “Dead Irish”. It's a story millions of readers have enjoyed, along with other entries in the New York Times—bestselling series. But a tale they may not know is how Lescroat invented the ex-Marine, ex-cop, and ex-lawyer turned sleuth. In this brief autobiographical...

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 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...

Get the backstory on an amazing heroine in this suspenseful kidnapping tale from the bestselling author of Vanishing Act and The Left-Handed Twin. A Native American of Seneca descent, Jane Whitefield helps people in harm's way disappear without a trace and take on entirely new lives with new identities. Of course, not everyone is a fan of Jane's work . . . There is a group of men who would like to speak with the elusive woman. That's why they've...

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...

Four fictional characters are interviewed in this profile of the adventurous sleuth, by the New York Times–bestselling author of A Sunlit Weapon.
 
The historical mystery Maisie Dobbs was first published in 2003, introducing readers to an inquisitive, young, English, working-class woman as she opens her own London detective agency following World War I. Jacqueline Winspear’s debut won her the...

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...