The Craft of Crime: Conversations with Crime Writers

by John C. Carr

Interviews with thirteen mystery writers cover their backgrounds, their major novels and their approach to writing

349 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Victoria & David Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a mixed bag. The author/interviewer is overly pedantic continually showing off his 'literary' knowledge and trying to raise the status of what is after all genre fiction to a 'higher' level. Of the 12 authors interviewed I had read 5 and as a result of this book look forward to reading 3 more: Peter Lovesey, June Thompson, and Janwillem de Wetering. Of the authors I had read, Ed McBain comes across as the most knowledgeable and workmanlike; Gregory McDonald comes across as the most egotistic and unlikable (just like his lead character Fletch). A variety of influences and favorite authors are mentioned but the most widely cited is Raymond Chandler. And rightly so. I'll raise a bottle of cheap bourbon to that.

[Benjamin]

I really enjoyed this, though the interviews are now well over 30 years old. Favorite interviews in the collection, for me: Gregory McDonald, Robert B Parker, and Peter Lovesey. If a favorite author of yours was interviewed in this, you may enjoy a peek behind the curtain. If you're an ambitious wannabe crime writer about to turn 40 (this comes up a lot), this book is for me. I MEAN YOU. This is for you.