Organizer is kind of a grand term for what I was doing. I answered an ad that the Presbyterian Church of Chicago put up on college campuses. I was at the University of Kansas, and it's somewhat relevant to my life and work that I'm a Jew. But they weren't doing a religious litmus test. They wanted energetic, civil-rights-committed college students to come help them run some summer programs.

I had wanted to write Ghost Country for a long time, but it wouldn't work.

I'm a grandmother, and a mighty proud one.

You have to be a ruthless editor of your own prose. Over the years, I've learned that the best way to incorporate research into the narrative is to turn it into action.

The crime novel has always been my favourite genre.

I'm very honoured that there is a loyal following and I hope it continues

Sisters in Crime now has more than 4,000 members worldwide.