This collection investigates the creative processes and professional motivations behind the development of iconic figures in detective and mystery fiction. Otto Penzler, a noted authority in the mystery genre, compiles a series of interviews with twenty-six prominent authors to examine how specific characters were conceptualized and brought to life. The text serves as a primary source for understanding the evolution of the genre through the perspectives of those who shaped its most recognizable archetypes.

Experts and genre enthusiasts frequently cite this work as a valuable resource for understanding the mid-to-late 20th-century mystery landscape. Readers often note the conversational tone of the interviews, which provides a direct look into the minds of prolific writers.