James Ellroy, Dan Brown, Ian Rankin, George Pelacanoes, Ken Bruen, Michael Connelly, Ridley Pearson . . . the roster of writers interviewed in these pages includes those who have won Edgar, Shamus, Anthony and Macavity awards.The interviews were conducted in person, or by phone, or both. Significantly, none of the interviews were placed before the authors for approval, massaging or tweaking of answers. The interviews were recorded on tape and are presented without rejuxtaposition or revision on the part of the novelists.This is how the writers spoke, what they said, casually, candidly and, more importantly, on the fly.