A great recurring character in a series you love becomes an old friend. You learn about their strange quirks and their haunted pasts and root for t...
read full description
reviews
Aug 27, 2010
Tony
rated it: 
This isn't the kind of book that usually grabs my attention, but it did win a big award last year and it does have a few authors in it I like, so I figured it was worth dipping into. It appears to have had its genesis in a series of essays put out by the Mysterious Bookstore, all of which have been collected into this volume. In skimming the table of contents, I immediately took issue with the book's subtitle of "The World's Greatest Crime Writers Tell the Inside Story of Their Greatest Det
More...
Mar 04, 2010
Wrighty
rated it: 
A great recurring character in a series you love becomes an old friend. You learn about their strange quirks and their haunted pasts and root for them every time they face danger. But where do some of the most fascinating sleuths in the mystery and thriller world really come from?
What was the real-life location that inspired Michael Connelly to make Harry Bosch a Vietnam vet tunnel rat? Why is Jack Reacher a drifter? How did a brief encounter in Botswana inspire Alexander McCall Smit More...
What was the real-life location that inspired Michael Connelly to make Harry Bosch a Vietnam vet tunnel rat? Why is Jack Reacher a drifter? How did a brief encounter in Botswana inspire Alexander McCall Smit More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 02, 2010
judy
rated it: 
What an absolute delight! Twenty-two of our best English speaking mystery writers accepted Penzler's invitation to pen a short piece on his/her most celebrated detective. Do read Penzler's intro to find out why. Some of my favorites made the list but there are others I haven't read. Some of the latter made the cut with me based on their submissions, others didn't. The only entry I thought about skipping entirely turned out to be one of the most interesting--Rambo, no less. The joy of this coll
More...
Nov 10, 2009
Steve
rated it:
Anyone who loves mystery series books will like this. Otto Penzler is not only an author and editor, but also the owner of Mysterious Bookshop in NYC. In his introduction, Mr. Penzler talks candidly about the financial problems his bookstore (as most independent bookstores) was having and how, as a promotional tool to bring clients in, he contacted authors he knew to provide small "profiles" about their signature characters.
The Lineup is the collection of the character sketc More...
The Lineup is the collection of the character sketc More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 17, 2010
Cheryl
rated it:
For mystery thriller fans alike whether it be Ken Bruen and his character, Jack Taylor or Jonathan Kellerman and his character Alex Delaware, then you will enjoy The Lineup. Edited by Otto Penzler. This book lets readers into the minds of crime writers. The authors share the back ground story about how they developed their characters, why they became authors, and even share some about their next book.
I enjoyed reading about Ken Bruen’s Jack Taylor. It made him more interesting to m More...
I enjoyed reading about Ken Bruen’s Jack Taylor. It made him more interesting to m More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 18, 2010
Joanne
rated it:
I didn't read all of these entries, since I'm not familiar with some of the authors, but I did glance at them all and I very much enjoyed the essays I did read. Alexander McCall Smith, as one might expect, is wry and charming about mysteries in general and his Botswanan mysteries in particular. John Lescroart is wittily self-deprecating as he explains how he eventually realized that he was not going to write the Great American Novel, but he was writing very good mystery novels. Laura Lippman
More...
Jul 07, 2010
Alan
rated it:
I'm a sucker for genre and series guides, and editor Otto Penzler previously edited one my favorite books of that type, Detectionary. The Lineup chapters are each written by the author of a well known crime fiction series character (I personally think David Morrell is there only because of name recognition and that is not a comment on the quality of his writing). It is interesting to read about the creative process, and how the characters were created. Some of the writers chose to introduce r
More...
Jul 29, 2011
The idea of having authors talk about their characters (murder mystery authors have th unique situation of having multiple books with the same protagonist)--it seems great, but in actuality, there is alot of variability in the quality and how enjoyable it is to read about. I enjoyed the ones that talked more about the evolution of the character over time, and what the aithor hoped for from the character.
May 26, 2010
Janet
rated it:
I didn't finish every story in the book - I focused on my favorite writers/characters. I will keep it on my Kindle because as I try out new writers - I will read more of the book.
I loved hearing the backstory of the characters - some very creatively written! I also loved the creative way the book came together - basically as a promotion for vising an independent bookshop owned by Otto Penzler. Smart idea - and we all get to benefit by learning more about our favorite hero/heroines.
I loved hearing the backstory of the characters - some very creatively written! I also loved the creative way the book came together - basically as a promotion for vising an independent bookshop owned by Otto Penzler. Smart idea - and we all get to benefit by learning more about our favorite hero/heroines.
Dec 27, 2009
Corny
rated it:
This book is comprised of contributions from approximately 20 different crime writers answering the question, "What is the Inside Story on how your character was Created?" It has been answered in some very imaginative ways.
As with any anthology there are good and bad contributions but on balance The Lineup satisfies more more often than it disappoints. Particularly good contributions by Lee Child, Anne Perry, Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin, David Morrell and fair ones f More...
As with any anthology there are good and bad contributions but on balance The Lineup satisfies more more often than it disappoints. Particularly good contributions by Lee Child, Anne Perry, Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin, David Morrell and fair ones f More...
May 12, 2010
Mike
rated it:
Really enjoyable look into modern fiction cops and detectives and how their authors' developed their characters and backstories.
Personal favorites include Harry Bosch, Agent Pendergast, Jack Reacher and John Rebus and I discovered a few characters and authors that I'd like to spend time with.
One missing detective in the lineup is Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti.
Personal favorites include Harry Bosch, Agent Pendergast, Jack Reacher and John Rebus and I discovered a few characters and authors that I'd like to spend time with.
One missing detective in the lineup is Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti.
Mar 01, 2010
Jonelle
rated it:
How was your favorite detective or police officer created? Learn the scoop on a variety of authors and their main series characters. I loved the chapters by Lee Child on Jack Reacher, Michael Connelly on Harry Bosch, and Colin Dexter on Inspector Morse. I learned all kinds of fascinating things. For example, did you know that as long as Dexter lives, he has a contract clause stipulating that no one but the late John Thaw may portray Inspector Morse? Everyone who enjoys mystery fiction shoul
More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 20, 2010
Vicki
rated it:
I am a big fan of mystery series and this book is a fantastic look into the world of some of my favorite authors. It is very interesting to hear how some of my favorite characters have been developed. I also have a couple new series that I will be checking out now.
Oct 22, 2010
Jim
rated it:
Want to know where Elvis Cole,Spenser,Jack Reacher,Harry Bosch or Joe Pike came from? In this collection of stories & interviews tell the inside story behind their greatest detectives. This is a must have for any fan of detective fiction.
Aug 19, 2011
Jed
rated it:
A good compilation of detective writers and their creations. Some of them write about their character(s), and some actually write short stories starring them, to show what kind of characters they are. Gave me a lot of places to look for new books.
Dec 01, 2009
Chris
rated it:
I read about the detectives I normally read about: Lincoln Rhyme, Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus, Alex Delaware, Lou Boldt & Aloysius X. Pendergast.
Jul 06, 2010
Martha
rated it:
Not quite what I was expecting (thought it'd be stories, and not insights on how author's came up with their ideas) but still enjoyed it.
Nov 18, 2010
I've been waiting to catalog this book. It sounds like a great selection aid when looking for a new author....
Jan 02, 2010
Suzanne
rated it:
Good overview of greatest crime writers; interesting; gave me ideas re:who I would like to read more of in the future; American, British and Scotch authors, male & female. Interesting, but a little long.
Aug 08, 2011
Lesliebasney
rated it:
This book has authors tell how they came up with their heros/antiheros. VERY interesting.
Dec 18, 2010
Mary Kay
rated it:
Really interesting book about fictional detectives told by their creators
Jan 30, 2012
Bobbi
rated it:
I have to say I was really excited to see this come in to my local library. So many of these authors are popular and regularly check out. This really gave me a great review of the author and how they write. I loved this collection and would love to see another collection come out. As a librarian this gave me great insight into some popular mystery authors. Highly recommend this one!
Aug 24, 2010
Joanne
rated it:
Started this last night. The origin of the book is a story in itself. I've made it through 3 authors - 2 I know and 2 I don't. So far, it's a treat! Recommended for any mystery junkies :)
Finished. Lots of fun. Found I could digest only 2 authors at a time. And there are a couple of authors I haven't read yet that I'll now try.
Finished. Lots of fun. Found I could digest only 2 authors at a time. And there are a couple of authors I haven't read yet that I'll now try.
Jan 15, 2011
Kirsten
rated it:
This was a very entertaining collection of biographies. The breadth of different detectives and the style of the bios was wonderful.
Also, it also gave me ideas for new books to read. I had never thought of reading the Judith Kellerman books, for example. It is a lot of fun and I recommend it to any mystery series fan.
Also, it also gave me ideas for new books to read. I had never thought of reading the Judith Kellerman books, for example. It is a lot of fun and I recommend it to any mystery series fan.
Aug 27, 2010
Kathy
rated it:
A must read for any mystery fan. It was fascinating to learn how certain characters came to be. Not only did I learn about several favorites but also have created a list of new mysteries to try based on the intriguing stories of their development
Jan 20, 2010
Tom
rated it:
I did not read all the authors, but of what I did read, this book was well done.
Sep 07, 2010
This is totally intriguing cos it's a chance to hear what inspired some of the best crime writers, how they developed their characters, plots, etc. Kind of a look behind the scenes, as it were, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far!
Jul 04, 2010
Ann
rated it:
Fascinating insights into the stories and background behind the characters in some of my favorite Mystery novels. John Connelly, Robert Crais, Lee Child and Ken Bruen's chapters were particularly interesting to me.
Oct 22, 2010
Kate
rated it:
What a great book! 20 mystery writers talk about their most famous characters. Really loved Anne Perry's and Laura Lippman's stories, and can't wait to read many of these authors for the first time.
