I'm unique for a suspense author in that I don't have a specialty background. A lot of suspense writers used to be lawyers or crime beat reporters. I didn't even know a cop when I started out. I finally figured out that I could visit prisons - I just had to be willing to make the phone calls.

I loved ghost stories, creaky staircases, stormy nights. If it guaranteed nightmares I read it by flashlight, after midnight.

When you're on book tours, you definitely need chocolate. At all times.

Mental illness is a disease and organic mental illness of young kids is becoming more and more of a disease... we do need to talk about it.

My secret vice is Sudoku puzzles. Can't stop playing them. My parents are accountants. I blame them entirely.

Women cry. Men laugh. Whiners moan. Men laugh. Wimps complain. Men laugh.

Whomever speaks first gives up some power.