James Ellroy - The Best American Crime Writing 2005

"A Long Way Down," by Bruce Porter (New York Times Magazine, June 6, 2004). Copyright © 2004 by Bruce Porter. Reprinted by permission of the author.

"The Self-Destruction of an M.D.," by Neil Swidey (the Boston Globe Magazine, March 21, 2004). Copyright © 2004 by the Boston Globe. Reprinted by permission of Douglas Most, the Boston Globe.

"The Virus Underground," by Clive Thompson (New York Times Magazine, February 8, 2004). Copyright © 2004 by Clive Thompson. Reprinted by permission of David Wallis as agent for the author.

"Fine Disturbances," by Jeff Tietz (The New Yorker, November 29, 2004). Copyright © by Jeff Tietz. Reprinted by permission of International Creative Management, Inc.

"Stalking Her Killer," by Philip Weiss (New York magazine, May 24, 2004). Copyright © 2004 by Philip Weiss. Reprinted by permission of the Joy Harris Literary Agency.

"The Terror Web," by Lawrence Wright (The NewYorker,August 2, 2004). Copyright © 2004 by Lawrence Wright. Reprinted by permission of the Wendy Weil Agency, Inc.

James Ellroy was born in Los Angeles in 1948. His L.A. Quartet- The Black Dahlia, The Big Nowhere, L.A. Confidential,and White Jazz- were international bestsellers. American Tabloid was a Time Novel of the Year in 1995; his memoir My Dark Places was a Time Best Book and a NewYork Times Notable Book for 1996. His novel The Cold Six-Thousand was a New York Times Notable Book and a Los Angeles Times Best Book for 2001. He lives on the California coast.

Otto Penzler is the proprietor of the Mysterious Bookshop in New York City, the founder of the Mysterious Press, and creator of the publishing firm Otto Penzler books. He is the editor of many books and anthologies and has been the recipient of the Edgar Award. He lives in New York City.

THOMAS H. COOK is the author of eighteen books, including two works of true crime. His novels have been nominated for the Edgar Award, the Macavity Award, and the Dashiell Hammett Prize. He lives in New York City.