Anywhere and everywhere, but especially from true crime stories. I still go to sleep at night to the dulcet tones of Forensic Files, even though I’ve seen every episode a dozen times by now. I mine the stories for how investigators feel about their cases; how they talk and think. I also find it fascinating how initially there will be lots of avenues to follow, each with many clues, and the thrill of discovery is in learning which of these pieces of evidence turns out to be the key to solving the case.

Read widely and think about craft as you are doing so. Why has the author chosen to begin the story where she does? Why does he pick one particular point-of-view over another?

Write things! There is no substitute for practice. I sold a novel on my first try, but it was the twenty-third novel I wrote. That’s more than a million words that will never see print but which provided much practice in storytelling, flow, dialogue and novel structure.

Get feedback on your work. Join a writer’s group and seek out writers you think are better than you are. Ask readers who like to read the kind of stories you write if they would comment on your work. Listen and don’t argue. You don’t have to take up every piece of advice (in fact, you shouldn’t), but if multiple readers are flagging a particular issue, that’s a sign you may need to work on that aspect of your story.

The mysteries in each book stand alone, and so any single book can be read without first reading the others. However, the characters develop over time, so that aspect of the books is best enjoyed by reading in order: The Vanishing Season, No Mercy, and then All the Best Lies.

Yes! Through Brookline Booksmith. When you place an order, there is a space where you can enter your desired personalization. I am happy to sign books for you, your friends and relatives, or your pets.

I love book clubs! I’m happy to join in person for those that are within driving distance of metro Boston, and via Zoom, etc. for others. Just drop me a line!