Death Leaves a Bookmark

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The Bibliomysteries series includes short tales by Anne Perry, Jeffery Deaver, Ken Bruen, and C. J. BoxAttempting the perfect murder, a killer encounters the perfect copAfter years of get-rich-quick schemes, Troy Pellingham’s bank account is empty and his options are down to one: take a job in his uncle’s rare book shop, and spend his days working for an unpleasant man whose only redeeming quality is a mammoth bank account. Though well into his eighties, Uncle Rodney is the picture of good health, and the day when Troy will inherit the old man’s money seems very far away. But then Troy gets a brilliant idea—why shelve books for a living, when he can kill for a fortune? After the deed is done, a peculiarly shabby police detective comes to call. Lieutenant Columbo seems dimwitted, and Troy expects he will have no trouble putting him off the scent. But as the noose tightens around his neck, Troy realizes that no murder is too perfect for Columbo. William Link (b. 1933) is an author, screenwriter, and producer. In the early 1960s, he and Richard Levinson created the character Lieutenant Columbo, a Los Angeles police detective known for wearing a shabby raincoat, smoking cheap cigars, and snaring murderers by playing dumb. The character first appeared in an episode of the Chevy Mystery Show, and was then featured in Prescription: Murder, a successful mystery play that was turned into a television movie in 1968. Although originally played by other actors, the part was made famous on television by Peter Falk, whose comic timing brought life to the idiosyncratic homicide detective. Beginning in 1968, Falk played the part off and on until Columbo Likes the Nightlife (2003).  Besides his work in television, Link has written plays, novels, and films, including the movie The Hunter (1980)—the last screen appearance of Steve McQueen. Link’s latest work is The Columbo Collection (2010), a volume of short stories starring the iconic cop.