I’m very honored that SILENT PARTNER won the 2011 SILVER AWARD for BEST in SUSPENSE at Reader’s Favorite.  Thank you!  Congratulations to all winning authors!

This story was a very special project and close to my heart.

Here’s a recent blog post about this book:…

From any crime show that we’ve viewed on television or in the movies, there is that moment where the evidence matches and the suspect is then brought to justice.  They make it seem so easy and it only take a few moments.  It’s definitely much more complicated than it looks and the forensic professionals who make that positive distinction are nothing less than exemplary in their…

I love to conduct research.  This can be a thorn in a writer’s side, but I really enjoy this part of the creative process.  Just think about it… you learn something new every time you research.  You can actually learn a new fact today you didn’t know yesterday. 

It’s quite amazing when you begin to outline the story you want to write, you realize all the little details that you need to…

It’s interesting how we can see things more clearly when we look back at events, how it shapes the present and even the future.  Here’s the real story behind my recent thriller novel Silent Partner. 

Sometime during 2002, I had an idea for a…

We know that psychopaths lack remorse, empathy, ethics, and a conscience.  They lie with absolute clarity for whatever appeases them and their lifestyle. They are almost like an unscrupulous chameleon showing their mask of normalcy for most of the world to see, but wait for the opportunity to strike out against unsuspecting victims.   

Crime seems to be a logical choice for many of…

This is for all you super slueths out there or some insight into writing a murder mystery...

Understanding and interpreting a crime scene is much like a three-dimensional puzzle, generally with more questions than answers.  However, the exigent circumstances are that the investigator needs to come up with some answers immediately and hopefully the name and whereabouts of the…

My area of specific interest may be forensic psychology, but I am fascinated by forensics in all of its applications.  I am regularly amazed by how experts can use a piece of clothing, a strand of hair, or a few drops of blood to build a case.  It was recently reported that forensic evidence stored in…

One of the more interesting aspects of forensic science, at least for me, is the study of forensic anthropology.  It entails the analysis of human skeletal remains that is within the context of a legal investigation. 

During my academic studies, I took forensic anthropology as one of the requirements for my bachelor’s degree in police forensics.  I thoroughly enjoyed the class and it made me view skeletal remains in more of a scientific way.  I was surprised how I…

Today it seems that we are so careful to be politically correct about some things that need to be addressed from a psychological and clinical point of view.  The thought of a small child or a teenager being diagnosed as a psychopath leaves of us cold and most don’t want to even approach the idea.  I absolutely shudder at the…

As with many things these days, the word “interrogation” has been replaced with “interview”.  I like to call it what it is, an interrogation.  Interrogative procedures are used to obtain a confession, admission of guilt, or illicit helpful information from a suspect in regard to an investigation.

In my…

Through my research and academic studies, I have found many interesting aspects about serial killers that may or may not be generally known.  I’ve incorporated a few aspects about serial killers from my list below to help keep my crime fiction heroine…

The world of forensic psychology is a dynamic one that involves ongoing research and debate regarding the motivations behind crimes, the role of mental illness, and proper place of medical professionals in determining someone’s punishment.  The contributions made by psychologists are not without their run-ins with controversy.  For instance, the latest edition of the Diagnostic and…

What you are about to read is a true account of an actual event.  The names haven’t been changed because no one will care.

First, let me start at the beginning, don’t worry it won’t take long.  I moved to the country about five years ago.  It’s lovely with wide-open spaces, room to breathe, tons of trees, and wildlife.  Many times when I…

My first two novels, Compulsion and Dead Game, feature a vigilante crime fighter named Emily…

Sometimes it’s confusing for people to differentiate between a criminal’s signature versus the criminal’s modus operandi when they commit a specific crime. 

Are they the same?

No, they are distinctly different because one feeds on emotional needs, while the other is a procedure. 

Modus operandi is the method that is used to commit the crime…

Synopsis:

In this Video Game, ‘Game Over’ Means You’re Dead

In her independent efforts to catch child killers, Emily Stone discovers the evidence that the cops can’t—or won’t—uncover. Now, this covert investigator is back on the hunt for the world’s most sick and twisted murderers. But even with help from ex-police…

Why serial killers? 

I’ve been asked this question many times about my thrillers.  Why write about serial killers?  The very words “serial killer” scares me.  It conjures up images of a madman wielding an ax coming after me in the dead of night and help is nowhere to be found.  Or, running out of gas on a deserted country road and the nearest town is twenty miles away and there’s no signal for my cell phone… 

Seriously,…

Here's a few things to keep on the lookout when reading or writing a crime novel...

Not all crime and violent acts are committed by psychopathic offenders.  Individuals with a variety of mental disorders and addictions commit even some of the most unspeakable crimes in our society today. 

One of the biggest challenges facing our criminal justice system is incarcerating violent offenders with substance addictions, personality disorders (including psychopaths),…

I find it absolutely fascinating how bloodstain patterns are interpreted and examined to help solve a crime.  This can answer so many questions on where the perpetrator was standing, how tall the perpetrator was, weapon used, and how the crime was committed.  Once you get past the “blood” part and really take an objective look at the patterns, it reveals a whole new perspective of what had…

My tough and driven heroine, Emily Stone, from my two novels (Compulsion, Dead…