📖 Overview
William Link (1933-2020) was an American television writer and producer best known for creating iconic TV series with his longtime writing partner Richard Levinson. The duo created some of television's most successful shows including "Columbo," "Murder, She Wrote," and "Mannix."
Link began his writing partnership with Levinson in high school, and they went on to collaborate for over 40 years until Levinson's death in 1987. Their work garnered numerous accolades including Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, and Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America.
Throughout his career, Link specialized in mystery and crime dramas, developing a distinctive style that emphasized psychological complexity and clever plot twists. His creation Lieutenant Columbo, portrayed by Peter Falk, became one of television's most memorable detectives and helped establish the "howcatchem" format as opposed to traditional whodunits.
After Levinson's passing, Link continued to write and produce television content, including additional episodes of "Murder, She Wrote" and various TV movies. His influence on the mystery genre and television writing earned him the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement from the Writers Guild of America.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Link's creation of complex mystery plots and memorable characters, particularly praising his work on "Columbo" and "Murder, She Wrote." Many online reviews cite the clever dialogue and intricate plotting as key strengths.
Liked:
- Innovative "howcatchem" format in Columbo
- Character development and psychology in mysteries
- Smart dialogue without relying on violence
Disliked:
- Some later TV movies seen as formulaic
- Occasional pacing issues in longer episodes
- Certain plot resolutions called predictable
Review Metrics:
Goodreads: "Stay Tuned: An Inside Look at the Making of Prime-Time Television" (Link's memoir) - 4.2/5 from 89 ratings
Amazon: "The Columbo Collection" - 4.5/5 from 156 reviews
IMDb: "Columbo" episodes written by Link average 8.1/10
One reader on Goodreads noted: "Link's understanding of human nature shows in every script." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "His mysteries respect the audience's intelligence."
📚 Books by William Link
The Link and Levinson Murder Collection - A compilation of mystery stories co-written with Richard Levinson, featuring private detectives and police procedurals.
Stay Tuned: An Inside Look at the Making of Prime-Time Television - A non-fiction account of television production in the 1970s and 1980s, drawing from Link's personal experiences.
The Playhouse - A stage play about a theater company dealing with internal conflicts and mysterious events.
Shooting Stars - A novel about the investigation of a Hollywood actress's murder during the golden age of cinema.
Murder and Memory - A thriller involving a detective whose memory loss complicates his investigation of a homicide case.
The Murders in Memory Lane - A collection of short stories focusing on cold cases and historical mysteries in Los Angeles.
Death Without Consent - A medical thriller about suspicious deaths in a prestigious hospital, co-written with Richard Levinson.
Stay Tuned: An Inside Look at the Making of Prime-Time Television - A non-fiction account of television production in the 1970s and 1980s, drawing from Link's personal experiences.
The Playhouse - A stage play about a theater company dealing with internal conflicts and mysterious events.
Shooting Stars - A novel about the investigation of a Hollywood actress's murder during the golden age of cinema.
Murder and Memory - A thriller involving a detective whose memory loss complicates his investigation of a homicide case.
The Murders in Memory Lane - A collection of short stories focusing on cold cases and historical mysteries in Los Angeles.
Death Without Consent - A medical thriller about suspicious deaths in a prestigious hospital, co-written with Richard Levinson.
👥 Similar authors
Richard Levinson wrote mystery novels and TV scripts focusing on detective work and police procedure, partnering with Link on many projects including Columbo. He shared Link's approach to crafting intricate mysteries with memorable characters.
Ed McBain created the 87th Precinct police procedural series featuring an ensemble cast of detectives solving crimes in a fictional city. His detailed portrayal of police work and investigation methods influenced the genre Link worked in.
Lawrence Block writes crime fiction centered on recurring characters like Matthew Scudder and Bernie Rhodenbarr. His stories blend criminal investigation with character development in urban settings.
Donald Westlake authored crime novels under multiple names including Richard Stark, specializing in heists and criminal schemes. His work demonstrates the same attention to plot mechanics and timing that characterized Link's writing.
Tony Hillerman wrote mysteries set in the American Southwest featuring Navajo Tribal Police officers. His focus on procedure and regional detail mirrors Link's emphasis on authenticity in crime writing.
Ed McBain created the 87th Precinct police procedural series featuring an ensemble cast of detectives solving crimes in a fictional city. His detailed portrayal of police work and investigation methods influenced the genre Link worked in.
Lawrence Block writes crime fiction centered on recurring characters like Matthew Scudder and Bernie Rhodenbarr. His stories blend criminal investigation with character development in urban settings.
Donald Westlake authored crime novels under multiple names including Richard Stark, specializing in heists and criminal schemes. His work demonstrates the same attention to plot mechanics and timing that characterized Link's writing.
Tony Hillerman wrote mysteries set in the American Southwest featuring Navajo Tribal Police officers. His focus on procedure and regional detail mirrors Link's emphasis on authenticity in crime writing.