Hannibal’s Back; Returns of the Godfather
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

For those of us who think the novels of Thomas Harris are so cool that our fingers go numb when we pick one up, here’s some good news: There will be a new merry little escapade featuring Hannibal Lecter next fall.
The fourth book about the most fearsome and important literary villain of the 20th century will be titled “Behind the Mask,” and motion-picture rights have already been acquired by the Dino DeLaurentis Company, which produced “Red Dragon” and “Hannibal.”
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While I admit to being no fan of the works of Nora Roberts, I can’t deny she is a publishing phenomenon unlike any other. In just over two decades of writing (is that all? It feels like she filled bookstore shelves before I was born, which was just before the invention of the wheel), she has written 157 books comprising nearly 8 million words. Of these, 116 made the best-seller list.
Note to my editor: Print this column quickly, or these numbers will be outdated.
In 2003, Ms. Roberts sold about 50 million copies worldwide, and will probably match that feat this year. Forbes magazine, which keeps track of these things, estimates that she grosses about $60 million a year.
Because she was writing so voluminously that she inundated her publisher with more than six full-length book manuscripts a year, it was decided that she should use a pseudonym for some of the volumes, splitting her product into two “brands,” like Coke and Diet Coke. Hence the “J.D. Robb” byline.
How can one account for such remarkable productivity? “I don’t believe in inspiration,” says the author. “I was educated by nuns. They are a lot tougher than any muse.”
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While the numbers may look like a little bump in the road (that is a modest homage to Peter Sellers of “The Pink Panther” movies, for those unfortunate enough to be unfamiliar with Inspector Clouseau) compared with the Nora Roberts mountain range, Mark Winegardner has undoubtedly placed a large order for champagne to celebrate his recent success.
After a long, highly publicized search for someone to write a sequel to “The Godfather,” Random House selected the unknown Mr. Winegardner over many more famous authors. In spite of the death of Mario Puzo, who wrote the notorious book (and, incidentally, co-wrote the screenplay of what has been called by some the greatest motion picture of all time – as well as its equally good sequel), the publisher and the Puzo estate believed there was still life in the iconic book and its characters. They appear to be correct. “The Return of the Godfather” had a first printing of 325,000 copies and has already gone back to press for an additional 50,000.
Next: “Bride of the Godfather,” “Son of the Godfather,” and “The Godfather Meets Godzilla.”
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Here is today’s quiz: Name the author based on these quotes:
“A top-grade police procedural series from a novelist who is both stylist and story-teller.” (Washington Post Book World)
“If X’s novels were songs, Charlie Parker would play them.” (New York Times Book Review)
“Writes the way we all wish we could.” (Michael Connelly)
“Beautifully nuanced, his sense of story impeccable, his characters unforgettable.” (Jonathan Kellerman)
“Reminds me of Graham Greene, a stylist who tells you everything you need to know while keeping the prose clean and simple.” (Elmore Leonard)
“The kind of rich tapestry that lifts the police procedural into the realm of the mainstream novel.” (Sue Grafton)
Wrong. It is not Ed McBain, the greatest American writer of police procedurals.
Here’s one more:
“Far and away the finest British police procedurals yet written.” (GQ)
The author is John Harvey, and, no, I can’t tell you why he isn’t a fixture on the best-seller list.
Regrettably, there is no new book by this great poet and mystery writer, but if you’d like to subscribe to his newsletter, “In a Mellotone,” it’s free and will inform you when there is something new. There are also some backlist titles around, and I have to warn you: You will want them all once you begin.
Go to www.mellotone.co.uk for all the information you need to have about John Harvey and his books. In his newsletter, he also reviews music CDs, provides his traveling itinerary, and writes a genial letter about his general activities. Get to know him and someday soon you’ll thank me.
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For fans of traditional detective fiction, you may like to know about another little publication, though this one is not free.
“Old-Time Detection” is devoted to classic writers of old-fashioned detection, including such authors as Ellery Queen, Anthony Boucher, Agatha Christie, and Charlotte MacLeod.
This nice periodical is in the tradition of the numerous and varied amateur fan magazines that have been produced for mystery aficionados for nearly a half-century. These tend to be the love children of individual dedicated editors and publishers (in this case, a gentleman named Arthur Vidro) who are thrilled if subscriptions cover most of the costs.
The issues I saw are about 20 pages, printed on one side only, with an illustrated front cover. It is published three times a year. A sample issue is $3; an annual subscription will set you back $9. Go ahead. Support the effort. Make out a check to Arthur Vidro and send it to him at Old-Time Detection, P.O. Box 313, Williston Park, NY 11596-0313.
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Next, I’m going to try to figure out what to get my wife for Christmas.
Now that’s a mystery!
Mr.Penzler is the proprietor of the Mysterious Bookshop in Manhattan and the series editor of the annual “Best American Mystery Stories.” He can be reached at openzler@nysun.com.