But sometimes you can't figure everything out because you can't ever really understand other people. You can't understand why they do what they do. You just have to accept a little mystery, Ben. People are mysterious, the world is mysterious. You can't know everything. You're not supposed to. This isn't a history book. It's just the world. It's a messy place.

I love sports, as all Bostonians seem to. I love books and movies, as all writers seem to.

Probably careful plotting reflects my personality. I am meticulous by nature. I can't imagine speed-writing anything that happens to pop into my head.

When I was 30 or so - by that time I had become an assistant D.A. - I decided I would try to write a novel. To be clear: I did not decide to become a novelist. Honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could actually earn a living as a professional novelist.

The interior of a teenager’s mind is an endless war between Stupid and Clever.

Well, I outline fanatically. I am a long thinker and a slow writer, though I am trying to get faster.

I am interested in computers and technology, and art, photography, and design.