There are Mafia families that have bought magnificent houses on the North Shore, although not yet the great estates because they don't want that kind of high profile.

I've always been fascinated by the Gold Coast. The homes themselves are spectacular, unlike anything you'll see other than in Newport, Bar Harbor or Palm Beach. It's a very special area that, because of local demographics, is not going to survive much longer.

I think it's more difficult now to write a spy thriller with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Many authors have tried, but few have succeeded in capturing the interest of readers.

The world has gotten smaller and more accessible since I first started writing in the 70's.

...the most common cause of death among alpha males was ego.

I try to use short sentences, short paragraphs and short chapters to keep the reader's interest.

You have to go out of your way as a suspense novelist to find situations where the protagonists are somewhat helpless and in real danger.