Fun to find this reprint at NetGalley. Otto Penzler presents essays written by the authors who created crime fiction characters we readers of mystery novels love.

Original published by LittleBrown in 1978, Penzler offers mystery readers a book of essays titled The Great Detectives. Mysterious Press/Open Road reprinted this popular nonfiction title just for us mystery buffs. I personally do not consider a book of essays as dated. This reprint is a wonderful way to learn more about past mystery writers. Characters I never heard of are now a part of my wish list. Lucky for us mystery readers the world of ebooks are flourishing and this makes it possible to experience the writings of earlier popular authors and their characters. As mystery fans we have to admit popular sleuths never really retire or fade away, our passion for this genre just won’t allow it.

The Great Detectives brings a renewed interest in past popular sleuths – and I for one am excited about that.

Rodrick Alleyn by Dame Ngaio Marsh
In her essay, Marsh explains how Alleyn was created on a wet afternoon in a London flat, how he got his name, and how he became three-dimensional – to the point of traveling with her... She was proud he was referred to as “that nice chap Alleyn.”

John Appleby by Michael Innes
Appleby of Scotland Yard was created during a long sea voyage. Innes’ readers never actually learn about the character’s background. Appleby seemed to move among the aristocrats (Who’s Who) with ease. Innes states he wrote the Appleby series without dwelling over it. Some of Appleby’s characteristics are similar to the author – they even aged together.

Lew Archer by Ross McDonald
McDonald mentions his character, Lew Archer PI, in passing then goes into an essay on “What Makes Up a PI.”

Father Bredder by Leonard Holton
Father Bredder is completely new to me… In this essay Holton wants to make sure readers do not confuse his real-life character with the Chesterton’s “pious” Father Brown.

Flash Casey by George Harmon Coxe
Flash is a photographer turned detective. Coxe shares how Flash came to be, the publisher who believed in him and the other characters in the series.

Pierre Chambrun by Hugh Pentecost
Chambrun runs The Beaumont, a New York hotel. As I read I was reminded the contemporary TV show Vegas (Casino; owner and employees solving cases). In his essay, Pentecost goes back to the 1920s when he started writing mysteries for magazines. His character, Chambrun, is a gentleman of French descent and the hotel is actually based on Pentecost’s hotel background experience.

Inspector Cockrill by Christianna Brand
The author refers to Inspector Cockrill as too short and old to be in the Force. Penzler refers to Cockrill as kind and gentle. I personally enjoyed Brand’s writing style. The way she wrote about her much loved character made me want to look this series up.

Here is a list of the rest of the characters and their creators. What a wonderful book of essays. I’m so glad they are once again available to the public.

Captain Jose Da Silva by Robert L Fish
Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene
Inspector Ghote by H R F Keating
Matt Helm by Donald Hamiton
Duncan Maclain by Baynard H Kendrick
Lieutenant Luis Mendoza by Dell Shannon
Mr and Mrs North by Richard Lockridge
Patrick Petrella by Michael Gilbert
Superintenedent Pibble by Peter Dickinson
Quiller by Adam Hall
Inspector Schmidt by George Bagby
The Shadow by Maxwell Grant
Michael Shyne by Brett Halliday
Virgil Tibbs by John Ball
Dick Tracy by Chester Goudl
Inspector Van der Valk by Nicolas Freeling