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.

There are a lot of books about the passing of the English aristocracy, but the vast majority of Long Islanders don't understand their own backyard. It's a private preserve.

I read 'Time', 'Newsweek' and 'The Economist'.

Basically, all women are nurturers and healers, and all men are mental patients to varying degrees.

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.

…made me promise to cut down on the drinking and swearing, which I have. Unfortunately, this has left me dim-witted and nearly speechless.

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