In fact, some reviewers have said that as they got into the story they forgot that the protagonist is a black woman. They were moved by the story - by the people as a whole - and not by the little things.

I am a struggling writer. A middle-aged man with two little kids and I'm just trying to earn a living. So buy this book - or my kids will have to go to foster care.

Its much like writing a screenplay with someone else and thats how we view it, I think.

I dont know how the editors are going to take it or how it may be received. But to some extent Im hoping that with the next book, when people pick it up and read it, it will scare the pants off of them.

I chose to go to law school because I thought that someday, somehow I'd make a difference.

All I can really say is it's bloodier than hell. In this one I'm going to be much more direct and honest in my description of the actual killings and the crime scene.

I think that the mere fact that I'm doing it ought to inspire someone. In junior high school the counselor suggested that I focus on wood shop and metal shop.