As a prolific TV producer and bestselling mystery author, Stephen J. Cannell knows the grime that lurks below the glitz of Hollywood. In the tenth book of his popular Shane Scully series, THE PROSTITUTES’ BALL (St. Martin’s Press; October 2010), Cannell exposes a hidden and dangerous underworld of expensive LA call girls and dangerous corporate power players.

LAPD detective Shane Scully is teamed with a new partner, Sumner “Hitch” Hitchens, a widely disliked, well-dressed, fast-talking cop who is more interested in selling police cases to Hollywood studios than actually solving them. This mismatched duo is called to investigate a murder scene on the grounds of a Hollywood Hills mansion, where they find the dead bodies of a movie producer and two gorgeous call girls.

After Scully and Hitchens discover a security video of the murders, this appears to be an open-and-shut case. The D.A. wants them to move on, but Scully and Hitchens ignore orders and uncover more evidence, leading them to an unsolved murder case from 25 years ago. Scully and Hitchens then find themselves in the killer’s cross-hairs as they try to unravel a crime of love, murder, suicide and one of the largest financial swindles in L.A. history. According to Hitch, it’s a story well fit for the silver screen, a real Hollywood blockbuster, but only if he and Scully can get out of it alive.

Stephen J. Cannell has been a force in writing for decades, in both television and novels. In an interview, this Hollywood legend can discuss many aspects of his work as well as:

• Which parts of The Prostitutes’ Ball are based on a real multiple murder in Los Angeles
• How real life events are sold to Hollywood studios for TV shows and movies
• Updates on the proposed 21 JUMPSTREET feature film
• His appearances on ABC-TV’s CASTLE with fellow authors Michael Connelly and James Patterson

Stephen J. Cannell is one of the most prolific writers today, with more than fifteen bestselling novels, including: The Pallbearers, On the Grind, Three Shirt Deal and White Sister. He has also created/co-created over 40 TV shows, including The Rockford Files, Baretta, The A-Team, 21 Jump Street, The Greatest American Hero, The Commish, Hunter and Wiseguy.

Stephen J. Cannell’s many awards include an Emmy, People’s Choice Award, Saturn Award, Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Writer’s Guild of America, NATPE Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award, 2008 Final Draft Hall of Fame Award, Producer of the Year and more.