The Best American Mystery Stories : 2004

Nelson DeMille was born in New York City on August 23, 1943. He attended Hofstra University for three years, then joined the Army and went to Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned a First Lieutenant and served in Vietnam as an infantry platoon leader with the First Calvary Division. He received the Air Medal, Bronze Star, and the show more Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry while in the service. He eventually returned to Hofstra University and received a degree in political science and history. His first writings were NYPD detective novels, but his first major novel, By the Rivers of Babylon, was published in 1978. His other works include Cathedral, The Talbot Odyssey, Word of Honor, The Gold Coast, The General's Daughter, Spencerville, Plum Island, The Lion's Game, Up Country, Night Fall, Wild Fire, and The Quest. His New York Times bestsellers include Radient Angel and The Cuban Affair. (Bowker Author Biography) show less

Otto Penzler owns the Mysterious Bookshop in New York & founded the Mysterious Press & Otto Penzler Books. He has written & edited several books, including the Edgar-winning "Encyclopedia of Mystery & Detection". (Bowker Author Biography)