Customer Reviews

Behind the Mystery: Top Mystery Writers Interviewed by Stuart Kaminsky and Photographed by Laurie Roberts

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Kaminsky is an award-winning mystery writer himself, and is in the perfect position to introduce his fellow mystery writer friends to audiences in BEHIND THE MYSTERY: TOP MYSTERY WRITERS INTERVIEWED. Working with professional photographer Laurie Roberts, who captures images of these writers in their home settings, Kaminsky provides insights into the personal lives and inspirations of Sue Grafton, Donald Westlake, Faye Kellerman, Lisa Scottoline and other modern notable authors who have made major impacts on the genre. Mystery fans will relish the charming black and white shots and Kaminsky's probe into family, friends and perspectives on mystery writing.

This book examines some of my favorite authors' lives as novelists-their views on creativity, inspiration, writer's block and what it means to be a writer. But most striking is its revelation of what really matters to each writer on a personal level-their families, childhoods, insights, politics and spiritual beliefs.

Each page reveals new and surprising details. Did you know Mickey Spillane was a fighter pilor in World War II? Both Ann Rule and Jonathan Kellerman are avid painters, and James Lee Burke was once a forest ranger in Kentucky. Kaminsky's casual interviews are full of unexpected discoveries. And while listening in these telling conversations, readers catch glimpses of the authors at ease in their private homes, with their families and pets and at their typewriters and laptops.

Kaminsky and Roberts bring us the mysteries behind the mystery makers. Often poignant or humorous, but always stunningly honest, Behind the Mystery dares to examine our favorite masters of suspense, not just as writers, but as people.

It is not often that we get a chance to truly delve beyond the prepackaged, for-your-viewing-pleasure, sound byte approved persona of the Famous Person...be they actor, musician, or in this case, writer. Most "behind the scenes"-style biographies or profiles ring false, offering a merely superficial glimpse beneath the mask of fame.

Behind the Mystery changes all that. There is nothing superficial about it. It truly takes you inside these venerable writers' homes and lives. The interviews contain kernels of wisdom and personal philosophy that will delight any mystery fan. But I found the crux of these portraits not in the interviews but in the photographs captured with great elegance by Laurie Roberts. Her subtle and non-judgemental gaze illuminates the personalities of the authors more than any text could.

Once again (probably much to these mystery writers chagrin), a picture is worth a thousand words! Buy this book!

This text presented various facets of these mystery writer's lives and included interesting anecdotes and witty words of wisdom that worked wonders in pulling each writer back into the realm of the norm. The accompanying photographs presented these writers in their most vulnerable environment in a realistic and touching manner and ultimately solidified them as typical people like you and I. The writing or the photographs could stand alone to tell this tale; putting them together was a win-win combination. I recommend picking up a copy.

If you are looking for insights on writing or even on the impact of the giants on modern mystery writers, don't buy this book. Unless you want to know how Sara gardens or how brilliant Jonathan's children are, or how forgetful Tony is, there's not much to be had here.

Maybe my expectations were wrong. I've been re-reading the masters of American noir: Hammett and Chandler to name two. I expected the authors to be more aware of that tradition, and for Kaminsky to spend more time exploring the authors' place in the mystery genre. My mistake.

I picked up 'Behind the Mystery' after listening to Stuart Kaminsky at the Sarasota Creative Writers' Circle. A circle I can highly recommend. I'm not a great mystery fan, especially of the cops and murder kind, but NYPD Blue got me hooked. What was more important then and in "Behind the Mystery' was listening and talking to a real life very successful author.

Kaminsky comes across as a humane person; a clear, relaxed and knowledgeable speaker with a touch of mystery about himself. In "Behind the Mystery", Kaminsky's style is not dissimilar to his speaking style or the dialogue of a novel. The book is very readable. The questions he asks appear to be standard to all the authors he interviews, but his personal friendship with writer draws out the questions most relevant to them.

Kaminsky has taught creative writing. "Behind the Mystery" carries on his teaching. Through interviews it introduces the reader to 17 masters of the art. Kaminsky asks the questions important to every budding writer. Whatever the differing life circumstances or styles, the same message comes across. It was a struggle to get started; whether you succeed or not, its not the end of the world; people who want to write will write. Writing is a job, a job that a writer does every day of the week. Writers' block does not exist, its just an excuse. Writing is a fascinating and very enjoyable job, with dozens of friends and acquaintances acting out a movie in your head.

For a Brit like myself, "Behind the Mystery" is especially useful in getting to know many of the major US mystery writers. Some jump off the page, others were unknown to me. Probably all are well known to US readers. 'Behind the Mystery' makes that assumption, which can be very frustrating. It leaves the reader wondering just who the writer is and what they are known for. However Kaminsky leaves the reader with sufficient liking for each writer, to go find out. That is what research is about and what the INTERNET is for.

Studying the masters is essential to all arts. Kaminsky portrays them as humans, amongst whom one can stand, if one is prepared to work at it.

This book is made up of interviews with 17 mystery authors including Ann Rule (my favorite!), Michael Connelly, Joesph Wambaugh, and Sue Grafton. It contains beautiful black and white photos of the author, their home, the place they write, and sometimes their pets.

It allows the reader a glimpse into the lives of some of their favorite mystery writers and there are some surprises. I loved reading about their writing schedules and how they work. Some like to write all day and others only a few hours.

My only gripe with this book is that I felt that there could have been more to these interviews. I read a fabulous book of this same type called "Jazzwomen" which was so much more detailed and full. This one seems a bit more commercial.

However, all in all, it is an interesting book and definately worth it even if only for the photos!

Considering its potential, this book is almost a total dud. Kaminsky would be right at home in one of those magazines where they grill stars on their favorite color. And while some of the photos are intriguing, many of them are out of focus or poorly-framed.