One of the hopes we have when we hear or read an interview with a mystery writer is to get inside the writer's head, to learn something we didn't know before. Otto Penzler headhearhope Change image and share on social
I have always been a pretty big fan of ghost stories. Otto Penzler bigfanghost Change image and share on social
A pulp story without a detective and, obviously, somebody for him to do battle with is unthinkable, and I can't remember reading a pulp story that didn't have a dame - either a good girl or a bad girl. Otto Penzler badbattledame share on social
Today's ghost stories tend to be much more physically or psychologically violent. The Victorians were much more leisurely about what might or could happen, building suspense layer by layer rather than punching you in the face. Otto Penzler buildfaceghost share on social
To this day, I've never figured out a single locked-room mystery. Otto Penzler dayfigurehave Change image and share on social
All cultures have had a belief in ghosts and a fear of ghosts. People have always told stories, and everybody likes being frightened, especially when you feel safe. Personally, I find them scarier than vampires or zombies. Otto Penzler beliefculturefear share on social
It was really in the Golden Age, between the two world wars, when the pure detective story - of which the locked room mystery is really the ultimate form - became popular. Otto Penzler agedetectiveform Change image and share on social
I don't believe in ghosts and have never seen one. I wish I could see one, and I would like to have seen one because then I could believe in God. If I can see it, feel it and taste it, then I believe in it. Otto Penzler feelghostgod share on social
Mysteries include so many things: the noir novel, espionage novel, private eye novels, thrillers, police procedurals. But the pure detective story is where there's a detective and a criminal who's committed a murder and leaves clues for the detective and the careful reader to find. Otto Penzler carefulcluecommit share on social
