Evan Hunter's writing career spanned more than five decades, from his first novel, The Blackboard Jungle, in 1954, to the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, to Candyland, written in tandem with his alter ego, Ed McBain, to his last novel, Fiddlers. He was the first American ever to receive the Diamond Dagger, the British Crime Writers Association's highest award. He also held the Mystery Writers of America's prestigious Grand Master Award. The author of more than 130 novels and story collections, he died in 2005.
