#1 New York Times–bestselling authors: Get to know the ruthless, mysterious FBI agent, “one of thrillerdom’s most exciting and intriguing series leads” (Booklist).
 
Acclaimed as “a modern-day Sherlock Holmes” (Associated Press) with a brilliant mind, a cultured manner, and a dark edge, Special Agent Aloysius X. L. Pendergast has calmly looked evil in the face throughout the...

The Pulitzer Prize–winning, New York Times–bestselling author describes how he created his popular veteran sniper.
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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

The #1 New York Times–bestselling author tells the origin story of LA defense attorney Mickey Haller.
 
In this concise, absorbing account, Michael Connelly reveals the work—and the strokes of luck—that contributed to his creation of the character Mickey Haller, the subject of multiple bestselling novels as well as the hit Netflix series. He reveals the lawyers, both fictional and real-life, who played...

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....

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...