Picture a lawyer-turned-storyteller who brought the rumpled charm of Lieutenant Columbo to the page—meet William Harrington! Born in 1931 in Marietta, Ohio, this American author swapped courtrooms for crime scenes, crafting over 20 detective novels and thrillers that hooked readers with clever plots and sharp wit. His 37-year writing career, marked by the iconic Columbo series and gripping espionage tales, left a lasting imprint on mystery fiction before his passing in 2000.
Harrington’s knack for weaving real-world intrigue into fiction made him a standout. From solving JFK’s assassination in The Grassy Knoll to unmasking killers in The English Lady, his stories blended meticulous research with page-turning suspense. Let’s dive into the life and legacy of this unsung master of detective fiction.
The Making of William Harrington
Born to an oil producer’s family in Marietta, Ohio, William Harrington’s early life was grounded in small-town America. He earned a master’s degree from Duke University and a law degree from Ohio State University, launching a legal career that spanned from 1958 to 1976, with stints as an electoral adviser and attorney. His courtroom experience, filled with real-life dramas, sparked a passion for storytelling. In 1963, he published his debut novel, Which the Justice, Which the Thief, a tale of Ohio jewelry robberies that earned critical praise and set the stage for his literary pivot. By 1980, Harrington moved to Greenwich, Connecticut, to write full-time, trading legal briefs for mysteries.
William Harrington’s Unforgettable Stories
Harrington’s novels are a masterclass in detective fiction, blending sharp dialogue, intricate plots, and a knack for tying modern crimes to historical mysteries. His six-book Columbo series (1993–1998), inspired by the beloved TV detective played by Peter Falk, is his crowning achievement. In The Grassy Knoll, Columbo tackles a talk-show host’s murder linked to JFK’s assassination, capturing the sleuth’s bumbling yet brilliant style. The Helter Skelter Murders connects a brutal killing to Charles Manson’s legacy, showcasing Harrington’s bold storytelling. The Hoover Files pits Columbo against a former FBI agent guarding J. Edgar Hoover’s secrets, proving his knack for high-stakes drama.
Beyond Columbo, Harrington’s standalone works shine. The English Lady (1982), an espionage thriller about Winston Churchill’s confidante spying during World War II, earned rave reviews for its historical depth. His legal background informed novels like Trial, a Midwestern courtroom drama exploring religion and crime. Harrington’s style—marked by dry humor, vivid characters, and meticulous plotting—made his stories feel like watching a classic detective show, with every clue carefully placed.
He also collaborated with authors like Harold Robbins and Elliott Roosevelt, contributing research and ghostwriting to projects like Eleanor Roosevelt mysteries. His role in founding LexisNexis, a legal research database, reflects his knack for blending law and literature, enriching his narratives with authentic detail.
Why William Harrington Matters
William Harrington’s impact lies in his ability to bring TV’s most iconic detective to life on the page while crafting original thrillers that resonate with fans of crime fiction. His Columbo novels captured the essence of Peter Falk’s quirky sleuth, earning praise for their fidelity to the series’ formula—revealing the killer upfront and letting readers savor Columbo’s unraveling of the crime. For fans, these books extended the TV show’s magic, while his standalone works showcased his versatility in espionage and legal dramas. Though less celebrated today, Harrington’s meticulous research and engaging prose influenced the genre, paving the way for character-driven mysteries.
His tragic death by suicide in 2000 cut short a prolific career, but his novels remain a treasure for mystery lovers. Harrington’s legacy endures in the delight of uncovering a “just one more thing” clue alongside Columbo, a testament to his storytelling prowess.
- Born: November 21, 1931, Marietta, Ohio
- Died: November 8, 2000, Greenwich, Connecticut
- Key Works: The Grassy Knoll, The Helter Skelter Murders, The English Lady, The Hoover Files
- Notable Contribution: Co-founded LexisNexis, a legal research database
Snag The Grassy Knoll or The English Lady and dive into William Harrington’s thrilling world of clues, criminals, and Columbo’s unmatched charm!