Every one of my books is written from the viewpoint of cops, with the exception of my book Killer on the Road, which is written from the viewpoint of a serial killer.

Joe Wambaugh's a friend. I know him only casually, but I like him a lot. I think he likes my books.

I think I'm out of crime fiction now, and I think the dividing line is American Tabloid.

If I wanted to make money I would have written another novel.

The novel is final form; it's the ultimate individual final form. Television and motion pictures never get there. You'd be fabulous to think that something you write is even going to be filmed. I give it the best shot of which I'm capable. But it's more a payday for me. And if I didn't have alimony and the full-time assistant.

And you love to read, you love to escape, right?

I'm grateful for the life I have. I lived bad for many years, and I've got a great life now. I've got the kind of life people only dream about.