any mystery writer is both magician and moralist ... two species of artist in short supply.
People get careless when they're feeling safe.
People in California seem to age at a different rate than the rest of the country. Maybe it's the passion for diet and exercise, maybe the popularity of cosmetic surgery. Or maybe we're afflicted with such a horror of aging that we've halted the process psychically.
Thinking is hard work, which is why you don't see many people doing it.
Pay minimum wage, you get minimum work. Nobody seems to get that.
A woman should never, never, never be financially dependent to anyone, especially a man, because the minute you were dependent, you could be abused.