Criss-Cross

A 2026 Edgar Award nominee for Best Critical/Biographical Work.–Mystery Writers of America
“A smooth, fast-moving account of how the director bounced back from a career slump with one if his most devilishly inspired films… . [An] engaging account.”–Wall Street Journal
“Rebello, a screenwriter and author of a similar book on the making of Psycho, expertly guides the reader through the steps of getting “Strangers” adapted, green-lit by the studio (Warner Bros.), cast, shot and approved by the censors.“–The Washington Post
“Informative, incisive, as dishy as need be and socially complex, this is perfect for a vacation read or a grad school thesis..”–Nashville Scene

“Rebello keenly distills the 70-plus years of conversation about [Strangers on a Train’s] suspenseful and subversive qualities, which made it one of the most influential of all Hitchcock films and one that deserves a fresh look by all fans of classic film.”

–Christopher McKittrick, author of Vera Miles: The Hitchcock Blonde Who Got Away
“Criss-Cross is a compelling, behind-the-scenes account of one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most accomplished thrillers–expertly told by a maestro of the genre, Stephen Rebello. Lavishly illustrated with gorgeous photos and Hitchcock storyboards, the book is a must for any film lover. Rebello’s writing is, as expected, witty, insightful, and cinematic–with some juicy tales and fascinating anecdotes that make us feel that we are right on the soundstage and on location. Criss-Cross is simply one of the best books I’ve ever read about Hitchcock–and one of the best books I’ve read about movie making. I adored Rebello’s Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho but dare I admit?–he may even have surpassed it with Criss-Cross.”–Kevin O’Brien, New York Times bestselling author of Unspeakable and The Enemy at Home
“This peek behind the maestro’s curtain will spellbind cinema fans.”–Publishers Weekly
“I’ve long admired Stephen Rebello’s smart film analyses … He writes about Hitchcock’s creative process with such curiosity and understanding and his newest, about the making of Strangers on a Train, is such a thrilling ride. I couldn’t put it down!”–Norman Buckley, television director, Sweet Magnolias and Pretty Little Liars
“With his customary flair for deep-dive research Stephen Rebello has pieced together the saga of one of Hitchcock’s underrated gems.”–Leonard Maltin, film critic and historian
“Rebello’s volume is extensively researched, but the details flow together in an engaging narrative of the movie that kickstarted Hitchcock’s renaissance … An excellent look at a beloved work of Hollywood suspense.”–Peter Thornell, Library Journal
“Rebello’s gifts for capturing cultural context, sexual subtext, and the machinations of the film industry remain unparalleled, and he finally provides this delightfully twisted thriller the shining platform it so richly merits.”–Alonso Duralde, author of Hollywood Pride
“Criss-Cross is one of the best books on Hitchcock ever. Rebello’s revelatory research combined with his thought-provoking insight on the making of Strangers on a Train make for a compelling, entertaining, and definitive read.”–Laurent Bouzereau, filmmaker and author of The De Palma Decade
“Criss-Cross, Stephen Rebello’s meticulously detailed study of [Strangers on a Train], contains everything a casually interested reader might want to know but also probes deeply enough to surprise and satisfy those who consider themselves aficionados of the director’s work.”
–Alain Silver, coauthor of From the Moment They Met It Was–Alain Silver, coauthor of From the Moment They Met It Was Murder
“A real gem and a must-read for anyone who loves cinema.”–Andrew J. Rausch, author of The Taking of New York City
“If your favorite Hitchcock movie is Vertigo, Psycho, or The Birds, you will probably change your mind after reading Criss-Cross.”–Robert Hofler, author of Money, Murder, and Dominick Dunne
“Superb and gripping, Criss-Cross reads like an arresting novel, and no wonder… . Had he been able to read Criss-Cross, with its wealth of compelling detail and cinematic verve, Sir Alfred would have been perched on the edge of his own director’s chair.”–Nat Segaloff, author of The Exorcist Legacy