The Art of the Literary Pick-up Line: “Hey, call me, Ishmael”

For an author, the opening line of a novel is the literary equivalent of the snappy pick-up line in a singles bar. Indeed, some of our greatest novelists are also some of our greatest pick-up artists.

My latest post at the Poisoned Pen Press blog is on the great opening lines of literature.

I end it with a challenge to identify five great crime novels from just their magical first sentences. See how you do. And then let me know of your favorite openers.