The worst violence we can do to each other often is psychological, especially in families. I dwell a lot on domestic danger. Thats the backdrop of most of my novels - what kind of damage is done without ever lifting a finger.

A child who's been injured by a parent waits her whole life for some acknowledgment of the wrong that's been done, some validation from him that her pain is real, that he's sorry and will make amends. The child will wait forever, unable to move forward, unable to forgive, without someone to acknowledge the past. In that powerlessness comes a terrible rage.

The Universe doesn't like secrets. It conspires to reveal the truth, to lead you to it.

Love accepts. Forgiveness comes in time.

Denial: my family heritage. If you don't ask the questions, the truth will never inconvenience you.

Alafair Burke is one of the finest young crime writers working today.

I think that's the moment when we all grow up, when we stop blaming our parents for the messes we've made out of our lives and start owning the consequences of our actions.