Lawrence Sanders was an American novelist best known for his suspense and mystery novels, often involving intricate plots and deeply flawed characters. Born on March 15, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York, Sanders showed an early aptitude for writing. Despite his literary interests, he initially pursued a different path, attending Wabash College in Indiana, where he graduated with a degree in journalism.
After college, Sanders worked in a variety of fields including magazine editorial work before being drafted into the United States Marine Corps during World War II, where he served as part of the public relations department. This experience broadened his world view and provided a foundation for his character-driven stories.
Following his military service, Sanders returned to the workforce in magazine publishing. It wasn’t until the age of 50 that he published his first novel, “The Anderson Tapes” (1970), which won him the Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best First Novel. This book introduced Sanders’ skill at integrating suspense with police procedural elements, featuring a plot that revolves around surveillance technology.
Sanders was prolific throughout the 1970s and 1980s, producing several popular series including the “Deadly Sins” series, which began with “The First Deadly Sin” in 1973, a book that later became a successful film starring Frank Sinatra. Another notable series was the “Commandment” series, starting with “The Tenth Commandment” in 1980, and the “Archy McNally” series, beginning with “McNally’s Secret” in 1992, which he wrote under the pseudonym Lawrence Sanders. The latter series features a flamboyant detective and is set in the lavish world of Palm Beach, Florida.
Sanders’ writing is characterized by its detailed plots, complex characters, and a narrative style that often includes a touch of dry humor. He had a particular talent for creating gripping, page-turning stories that appealed to a wide audience, blending elements of traditional mystery with psychological thriller.
Throughout his career, Sanders published over forty novels, several of which reached the New York Times bestseller list, making him one of the most popular and financially successful authors of his time. His work has been translated into more than a dozen languages, solidifying his place as a significant figure in the genre of mystery and crime fiction.
Sanders passed away on February 7, 1998, in Pompano Beach, Florida, but his legacy lives on through his vast body of work, which continues to captivate readers around the world. His novels remain popular both in print and in digital formats, attracting new fans and satisfying the cravings of mystery lovers with their intricate plots and memorable characters.
The Pencil Driven Life 