Writer Bill Doyle's Site

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Hi Bill Doyle, It seems like all your Crime Through Time books have gone out of print. What happened?

Hi Bill Doyle, It seems like all your Crime Through Time books have gone out of print. What happened?



You really should write another book in the ctt series I love them and read them over and over! When are you other books coming out and what are they called? Hawk P.S. Since Shadowhawk choose my cool name I am going with the next best thing.


Hi Shadowhawk,

Yes, the name you picked definitely sounds like spy's code name. Very cool.

About your question when I wanted to be an author...I've always wanted to be a writer. From the first time I read a book, I've wanted to write. My parents gave me a toy typewriter when I was about six and I would tap away. Probably didn't make much sense at that point but I loved it!

"Bully for you!" is a way of saying "Way to go!" or "Good job!" In the first book in the series, Swindled!, when Judge is introduced as a character in 1906, Teddy Roosevelt is president of the United States. He would often say "Bully for you!" or "Bully!" I wanted to have an interesting saying from the time period, so I had Judge use this phrase. Then I liked it so much I had her say the "Bully for you!" throughout the series.

Thanks for your comment about Trapped! and Iced! Really great to hear that you liked the books.

Sorry to say, I don't have plans to write any more books in the Crime Through Time series. I think it would be fun, but I think my publisher (the people who print the books and put them in stores) feels there are enough books in the series for now.

But I am working on a couple books for Scholastic that will be out in a few months. I'll post updates on the site.

Thanks for your questions!

-Bill



Shadowhawk isn't my real name but I really like it. I think it sounds like it's a spy name. I like that kind of stuff. I want to be a detective, like a Private Eye. When did you start wanting to be an author?-Shadowhawk

First off, what does,"Bully for you, Otis" mean? And secondly, I just read "Trapped."And just like "Iced," it was awesome! And last but not least, areyou writing any other books for the Crime Through Time series? Answer Whenever you have time.-Shadowhawk

Hi Shadowhawk,

First, let me say: Cool name! And thanks for your great comments.

Now, on to your questions...

Yes, Bill Doyle is my real name. I've wanted to be a writer all my life. I would talk about it all the time growing up. When I started publishing books I wanted all my friends and family to know it was me, so I didn't change my name.

I did think about using a "pseudonym" like Lemony Snicket (or something mysterious like your name). But in the end I decided to stick with Bill Doyle.

I'm glad you like Iced! It's interesting that you're reading that one first. I actually came up with the idea for that one before any of the others in the series. It's one of my favorites.

And, finally, about Esme Hunter. She seems very real to me. As does her detective handbook. So it's kind of hard for me to answer this question. I keep trying to tell myself that I made her up, but then I run across things she's said online. (Of course, the web pages and links quickly disappear before I can get a record of any of it.)

I guess the official answer I'm supposed to give is that she isn't real, but then again, who knows?

Let me know if you read any of the other books. It'd be great to find out what you think.

—Bill


Is Bill Doyle Your real name or is it one of those fake names that authors use like, Lemony Snicket? -Shadowhawk (P.S. those first two comments were mine)

I'm reading Iced right now, and it's my first book that I'm reading out of the crime through time series, and I have to say that it's awesome - Shadowhawk

Your books are awesome

Is Esme Hunter real?



Hi Jopa Lopa!

Ha! I like your question. Yes, right now I'm writing a bunch of mini-mysteries for Scholastic Inc. And there are a few other book projects in the works that hopefully I'll be able to announce in the next few weeks.

What with the writing process, different editors, publishers, book distribution...it takes a while for books to go from my brain to the bookshelf. Believe me, I wish it went faster, too!

I'll post updates on when books will be out soon.

Thanks for your question,
- Bill


One other question: are you writing anything right now? Because if you are, it sure is taking a while.
- Jopa Lopa

Hello Jopa Lopa,

That's a great question! Notabe is pronounced "noh-tah-bay."

Hope that makes reading the books more fun.

Thanks,
Bill

Oh, I have one question: How do you pronounce "Notabe"? - Jopa Lopa

Hi Jopa Lopa,

I'm not sure why your comment posted three times. Maybe my site, which can have a mind of its own, thought it was worth saying three times. Or maybe it's just another mystery!

Thanks for your great note. I'm so glad you like the books! They were a blast to write. Hope you enjoy Silenced! as much as the others.

Thanks again!
-Bill

Uhm... how did my comment get posted three times? - Jopa Lopa

Great books! I've read all but Silenced!, and I absolutely LOVE THEM! I'm already dreaming up possible things that might happen afterward, some more obscure and bysterious than others... -Jopa Lopa

Dear Anonymous,
Interesting, somewhat bizarre, idea. Will I follow through on such a request? That's another mystery.
- Bill

Hi Bill,
So....not only would I like to read about your cool sister, but I would also like to read about this girl Kelly she hangs around. Perhaps you could fit them in. I know you are a busy author and way too famous to take requests, but perhaps......


Bill Doyle, i love the fact that in nabbed you turned around asyla's character and suddenly made her a bad guy.
- John

Hey John,
Yes, I wanted to set up Asyla as a character who comes back in almost all of the books. And Nabbed! seemed like a good time to put her on the road to becoming a truly wicked villain.
Thanks for reading!
- Bill

I think your book was awesome!
-Trenae

Hi Trenae,
Glad you liked the book. Writing mysteries is extremely fun, but it's even more fun to hear what readers think about them!
-Bill

Hi, how you got all the ideas of the book "Silenced!" because it was cool!!
-Kristy

Hi Kristy,
For "Silenced!" I did tons of reading about the late 1960s. I even got all the Time magazines from the year 1969 and flipped through them so I could learn more about the period, how people talked and what they were wearing. Plus, I read lots of different "survival" books about getting by in the wilderness and detecting animal tracks. All these things helped me come up with the ideas in the book.
Thanks for your question!
-Bill

What will happen to Judge now? How will the anti-private detective campaign go? - RJ

Hi RJ,
That's a really good question. Someday I think it would be fun to write another book about what happens after the action in "Trapped!" So I left things up in the air (literally) for Judge and the future of private detectives. I can tell you this, though: while it won't be easy for Judge and Fitzmorgan/Moorie clan as they struggle against the bad guys, they'll be up to the challenge.
-Bill

I'm reading "Nabbed" right now. I think it is SOOOOOOO good!!!!

Hello!
What a great comment! Thanks for letting me know. I really liked the idea of a "ghost" plane and a detective who could see through illusions. This was a way I could bring both of those things together.
-Bill

i love your book trapped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm glad you like it! I had such a fantastic time writing a mystery that takes place on a space elevator.
-Bill


What is your next book going to be about?If you don't know yet can you tell me what your planning?Your fan,Melton

Hi Melton,
I'm working on a book for Scholastic right now that will have a bunch of mini-mysteries. It will be for younger kids, and a little different than my other mysteries.
Thanks for the question!
-Bill

Hi!What book names were rejected if you had any rejections?

Hello!
Yes, like any writer, I've had my fair share of rejections. It's not always easy to read the rejections, but it's especially important as a writer to be persistent.
One of the rejected books is called "Song of Betrayal." I wrote it years ago, and I thought it was a really fun mystery. Unfortunately, I was about the only person who thought so!
-Bill


All the boys in my school love your books! I can't wait to wake up each morning so that I can read them before school. It would be great if you would write a mystery about a sporting event! Any sport would be fine but baseball would be the best! Your fan, Adam

Hi Adam,
Thanks for your message. I'm really glad you like the books! And thanks the terrific idea to write a mystery that takes place at a sporting event. I've got a few plots I'm hammering out right now, and will definitely move "sports mystery" up closer to the top of the pile. - Bill

I was just wondering if you were ever going to put your really cool sister in any of your books, I hear she's pretty awesome...

Hello! Yes, I've thought about putting my sister in a mystery, but I think she's a little too busy leaving comments on author sites to ever read the book. Thanks for writing! - Bill

Hi! "Trapped!" answers one of the main questions of the series: "What is Asyla Notabe up to?" but it doesn't mean the series is over. I have outlines for new books, including one that takes place during WWII and one about the parents of Judge, Fitz (from "Swindled!") and Asyla and how they all met in President Lincoln's White House. I'm hoping the series goes on and on, but that's up to my wonderful publisher. Thanks for you question! - Bill

Was Trapped the last book of the series for the Crime though time series?

Oh! And I meant to say...I'm not sure when the next book in the series is coming out, but I hope to have more information soon! - Bill



Hello! I'm so glad you like the books. Much of the information I use as "sidebars" or clips in my heroes' detective journals come from the research I do at the library or using books and magazines I have at home. For example, with "Swindled!" I went online and bid for a bunch of magazines and postcards from 1906, the year that the action in the book takes place. That really helped me get a feel for the language, clothes, and investigative techniques of the time. Hope that answers your question and thanks for your message! - Bill

Wow, you are one of my favorite authors, where do you get all the information and clips you put in your books? When is the next one coming out?

Hi Ben, Thanks for the note! There are actually six books out now. They are: Swindled!, Nabbed!, Silenced!, Betrayed!, Iced! and Trapped! Hope you have fun reading the sixth one! Bill

Bill , I really love your books all five of them when is more being published this year or whenever. Ben P


Intriguing idea, Dann!
- Bill

Regarding the discussion, I'd say I would love to see them in the 19th century, you know, the founding fathers; in Britain, the time when Sherlock Holmes was created by also a Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle... hehe, just saying, since it's kind of cool to see them, time-travelling... - Dann Julius S. Tan, Philippines

Hi Dann,
No, it's too much to ask about "Esme Hunter's Detective Handbook." But, unfortunately, the book only exists in my head. Sorry about that!
-Bill

I know it's too much to ask, but can I ask for the ISBN of the Esme hunter's detective handbook? Thanks! Love your books! It's like no other!-Dann Julius S. Tan, Philippines

So sorry, hehe, anyway thank you so much for the info! (Still tuning in for more of your books, wishing for more!) Thanks again! - Dann Julius S. Tan, Philippines

Hi. now that I've met you at school, I just might read your books... -From the person who's name you can spell. I like fizzy lizzys!

Hi Dann,

Thanks for your great explanation of Asyla Notabe's nefarious deeds! I had to take it off the site only because it gave away the ending to anyone who hasn't read the books. But you did a terrific job summing it all up. I've saved your description on my computer.

As far as "Esme Hunter's Detective Handbook" is concerned, I think I might have the only known remaining copy. I'll do some digging,though, to find out for sure...

—Bill Doyle


Where did you get the Esme Hunter's Detective Handbook? I desperately want one!
-Dann Julius S. Tan, Philippines

who is asyla notabe

I love your books

I love your books

She keeps showing up in the different books. I bet she's mad about what happened in "Swindled!" -John J. Longboat Key, FL

I think she's working behind the scenes on something. But I'm not sure what...
-Dave P.
Ann Arbor, MI