The Lineup: The World’s Greatest Crime Writers Tell the Inside Story of Their Greatest Detectives

by: Otto Penzler, Editor

Published by: Little Brown (November 10 release)

Reviewed by Sharron Stockhausen, MMA

Imagine having tea or coffee one-on-one with star mystery authors Ken Bruen, Lee Child, Lincoln Child, Michael Connelly, John Connolly, Robert Crais, Jeffery Deaver, Colin Dexter, John Harvey, Stephen Hunter, Fay Kellerman, Jonathan Kellerman, John Lescroart, Laura Lippman, David Morrell, Carol O’Connell, Robert B. Parker, Ridley Pearson, Anne Perry, Douglas Preston, Ian Rankin, and Alexander McCall Smith.

Imagine asking them how they started their writing careers and how they created their memorable main characters. And, even better, imagine them actually telling you!
You don’t have to imagine any longer. You get to experience each writer listed above when you read Otto Penzler’s latest book, The Lineup. Of course, the tea and coffee are optional.

Penzler owns The Mysterious Bookshop in New York and shares the path he took to bring this fabulous book together. He asked some powerhouse authors to write character sketches for this compilation and you can see by the list of author above that they responded.

Reading each offering from these stellar authors creates a feeling of being an insider, one who knows stuff only those closest to the author knows. Each of these authors recognizes the importance of character development and they share how they developed some of the most memorable characters in mystery.

You may not know every author listed, and thus you won’t know every character covered. But you will enjoy every character sketch in this book and find yourself looking for the books written by these authors. You may even go back and re-read some mysteries and see how your new insights add to the enjoyment.

Every mystery lover needs to get this book and savor it as the special experience with special individuals that it is. The Lineup belongs on the reference shelf of aspiring mystery writers working on creating new protagonists. Every one of these authors awaits spending time with you. Get the book, get a cup of coffee, and enjoy your personal visit with your favorite mystery author!

Armchair Interviews says: Plan on many sleepless nights until you turn the last page. This is THAT good.