Kathryn Lilley

Female

Southern California

United States

Profile Information:

Hometown:: Southern California, by the beach
About Me:: As a pre-teen, I had two passions: Nancy Drew mysteries and Pralines ’n Cream ice cream. So it was perhaps inevitable that I grew up to write a series called the Fat City Mysteries.

My stories are set in Durham, North Carolina, the self-proclaimed “Diet Capital of the World.” And like my journalist sleuth, Kate Gallagher, I understand the Battle of the Bulge all too well. I once lost 90 pounds to land a job on camera as a TV reporter. And even today, I avoid the street that goes past 31 Flavors.

The first book in the Fat City Mysteries series is Dying to Be Thin, was published in October 2007 by Signet/Obsidian. It’s a story about dieting, sex and murder set in a residential diet clinic (read: “fat farm”). In this clinic, the only things more dangerous than the food are the fondue forks…
I Am A:: Reader, Writer, Editor
Website:: http://www.kathrynlilley.com
Books And Authors I Like:: Currently I'm on a Stephen King kick.
Movies And TV Shows I Like:: Vertigo, Rear Window, The Sixth Sense, CSI Miami

Comment Wall:

Load Previous Comments

Alison Gaylin

Hi Katherine! Great to meet a fellow Obsidian author!

Aug 20, 2007
Rabbi Jacobs

Thank you for the invite. Since joining CrimeSpace yesterday, a number of educated, successful people have welcomed me on board. Sounds like your books are doing well. Keep up the great work. Best.

Aug 21, 2007
Scott Nicholson

Durham, eh? I live up int he mountains. Have you seen the movie "Feed"?

Aug 22, 2007
Kathryn Lilley

No, but I'll order it forthwith off Netflix! Howdy, Scott!

Aug 22, 2007
Donna Moore

Hi Kathryn - thanks for the invite - nice to meet you.

Aug 24, 2007
Jamie Livingston

Reading your bio. I've been reading Stephen King lately, too. I loved Bag of Bones, and Lisey's Story. And I think he's written the best non-fiction book on writing.

Aug 25, 2007
Kathryn Lilley

Absolutely, Jamie! I keep "On writing" by my bedside for inspiration!

Aug 25, 2007
Newt Love

Hey! I was married into the Lilley family out of mill-country MASS. The part of the family I was into for a while was the so-Cal contingent, where I am from. Any relations?

If a author writes a novel in the forest, and nobody reads it, did it make a sound?

I'm newt, slithering from the shallow end of the gene pool, into the open ocean. Sharks are likely to eat me before the salt water kills me, but who wants a quiet life?

Aug 27, 2007
Newt Love

Just to the west of Fashion Valley in San Diego, Tom and Joan Lilley raised a family. Todd, Michael, and (forgot the daughter's name) are now in their 30s. Tom is in his 70s. He and his brother John Richard Lilley grew up in Point Loma, childrem of Tom and Anne Lilley. Their branch of the family was from Manchester Mass. Both Anne and Tom Sr's parents had come from Manchester England, to work in the mills. John graduated from Pt Loma High in 1958. His daugheter Sherre was my first wife. If you want to, contact me at newtonlove at verizon.net and I will pass along the contact information for the Lilley family I know.

Aug 27, 2007
Cheryl Norman

Oh, wow, you write the fat city mysteries? I read about DYING TO BE THIN in RT (I think--I read lots of book reviews) and plan to buy it. In my current book (the sequel to RESTORE MY HEART which I'm writing now) my heroine is "curvy." I think readers are tired of thin, perfect heroines. I know I am!

Cheryl

Aug 29, 2007
Kathryn Lilley

Thanks, Cheryl! Hope you enjoy the book! And I'm looking forward to reading RESTORE MY HEART and your sequel, too! Best, Kathryn

Aug 29, 2007
Jackie Houchin

I've never been to a "fat farm," but you are in good company. Didn't Mary Higgens Clark write a mystery that took place in one? You are among good company as well in your blog spot. Thanks for the invite.

Sep 4, 2007
Jackie Houchin

Higgins (sheesh, I'm the typo-queen!).

Sep 4, 2007
Meredith S. Cole

My heroine in POSED FOR MURDER hates yoga too! The breathing stesses her out. Good luck with your new health regime. I keep in shape swimming, and I definitely feel a drop in energy (and a rise in grumpiness) when I miss my workout.

Sep 8, 2007
Pari Noskin Taichert

Kathryn,
Great to meet you via Crimespace. I love your page and the running info about weight reduction/lifestyle change. I did Bill Phillips regimen -- more or less -- for 13 weeks, but it's difficult to maintain with a family; I have to make sure the kids eat something.

Looking forward to seeing you on the convention circuit.

BTW: both of my protags (current series and the new one I'm also writing) don't go for toothpick chic.

Sep 8, 2007
Liz Filleul

Hi Kathryn, Thanks for befriending me. Your Fat City novels sound FAB. I really hope they'll be available here in Australia - still, if they're not, I can after all order them via Amazon. I'm really hanging out to read the first one!

Sep 8, 2007
Cormac Brown

Thank you for the E-vite and I'm glad you dodged that heart-shaped bullet, you gave me food for thought.

Sep 9, 2007
Charlotte Williamson

Book sounds great. I've quit obsessing about my weight, and just accept myself for whom I really am. I was a tiny person for so many years, now that I'm older and have gained a little weight from a thyroid disease (which is treatable), I just ignore all the hollering about "thin and sexy."

Sep 20, 2007
Betty Ann Harris

Hi! I just had to let you know that Rear Window is one of my favorite movies of all time. Romance and suspense, and a murder! Can't get much better than that. Do you happen to know if it was a book, or just a movie? I'd love to read the book if it exists. Have a great day in lovely Southern California.

Sep 22, 2007
Dana King

Kathryn,
Thanks for the friend invite. As someone who has had less success than you on the weight loss front, I thought you might enjoy this recent post to my blog.

http://fromthehomeoffice.blogspot.com/2007/08/elegant-solution-to-weighty-problem.html#links

Sep 24, 2007
Linda L. Richards

Today was the day. Congratulations on the launch!

Oct 3, 2007
Linda L. Richards

Thanks, Kathryn! I've only had the cover for about a week, but I've had the most terrific comments on it. How am I ever going to wait for January? I'll expire before then! Since this is your pub week, you'll know what I'm talking about. We're so lucky, as authors, I think. This delicious anticipation when waiting for a new book. Everything is possible. This is my fourth one and the feeling just doesn't seem to diminish.

Congratulations again!

Oct 4, 2007
Naomi Hirahara

Congrats, Kathryn!!! I can't make it this Friday, but I will magically appear at one of your events--maybe the one in downtown L.A. Enjoy and have fun at your launch!

Oct 4, 2007
Jacki

Thought this might be of interest to you
http://www.leisurereaders.com.au/favourites.htm

Guess whose Book Pops up first :)

Oct 16, 2007
Naomi Hirahara

Kathryn:

Just checking--will you be in downtown tomorrow from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.? I plan on stopping by.

Oct 24, 2007
Patricia Gulley

Saw your Egypt pictures. Finally set foot in the land of sand this year and liked it a lot. Look forward to reading your book. Patg

Oct 28, 2007
Rose Mercer

Hi and thank you for the encouragement. Like you, I was handed a super opportunity and I too am having fun (when not tearing my hair out!). I've had some success with short stories and feature articles and now... all because of that dame, Sue Grafton (love that woman) I'm on the novel road. Argh! Hard! Congrats on getting yours out - it looks like such fun and I know it will be a great success.

Nov 2, 2007
Dianne

Hi Kathryn, Thanks for being a friend. I have more than a few uncozy "bones" as a writer so I guess I'll never write a cozy. It goes way back to my mother's True Detective magazines - the more graphic, the better.

Congratulations on your book, I wish you the best.

~ Dianne

Nov 4, 2007
Tina

Hi Kathryn, thanks for the invite. I was also a Pralines and Cream freak. By far the best flavor. A Baskin and Robbins opened near my high school when I was about 16. I don't live near one now...shoot I am so going to have to find one now! I read a lot of Nancy Drew but it is so long ago. If you are reading Stephen King don't forget to look up his On Writing book. It is a fun, informative read. Take care, I look forward to reading your book.

Nov 5, 2007
Tina

It's a great little book, I have reread it several times too, it always makes me laugh and gives me a boost. But the section that always strikes me green as an olive is when he shows a short piece of first draft and then shows what he changes. That's your first draft?! That looks like my third!

Nov 6, 2007
DaRk LeA

Thanks for your comment! I am verry happy that you like Stephen King, too!

Yours Lea

Nov 8, 2007
Rose Mercer

Just caught up reading some of your site and adore the yucky finger biscuits! I will definitely think about it especially since there are plenty of "short cuts" - tks! :)

Nov 8, 2007
Michael Warden

Morning Kathyrn,
I am new to this site and thought I'd take a minute to say howdy and introduce myself. Although I have not had the privilage to read your work as of yet I will since the comments here have intrigued me.

Yea I can relate to your commet about the fires becaseu my wife and kids and I had to leave town ( Los Alamitos) during those fires to get some fresh air. We left after the first five days of thick nasty smoke and we drove to Las Vegas to spend a couple of days with my sister.

Fires burned close to a couple of friends in San Diego area but they didn't loose anything.
I am working early this morning, at Disneyland, since the "Dancing with the Stars" crew is shooting a segment at the park I had to be in my office at 1:00 am. Well I guess this isn't really suposed to be a chat section so I'll hop off now.
Regards Michael

Nov 15, 2007
Michael Warden

Hey the time stamp is off on this site! It's 2:48 AM :(

Nov 15, 2007
jur

Hey Kathryn, I just have read your last blog about widening stories... well, for me as "just" a reader, this sounds much too technical... I, again as a reader, don't want to recognize any technical thing in a book... if the flow and the line of the story is good and thrilling it will define its perfect length by it self... Or am I wrong? if so, please correct me! I read some books, where I think: the author could have told that in less than halfe the pages...

I am looking forward to your answer!!!

kind regards, Jan (a freshman on crimespace...)

Nov 28, 2007
jur

Hey Kathryn thanks for your reply!
...exactely: what you describe is the art of writing... Me as a reader is not interested in techniques but a thrilling, mindtaking, breathtaking, emotional story that keeps me away from sleeping...
what kind of books/stories are you telling? are you published in germany as well?

/Jan

Nov 28, 2007
Loraine

Hi Kathryn,
I just read a comment wondering if your book is available in bookstores outside of the US. It is in the Chapters store in Ontario, Canada :)

Nov 29, 2007
jur

Kathryn,INDEED you SHOULD know! LOOOL

I just searched for the book on amazon (you can already buy used ones there...), found it but they will be sent from the US... which means for me to pay high shipping plus customs and taxes... :-( sh***, eeeehm ...sugar... ;-)
maybe I can "win" one somewhere??????
@Loraine:I guessed canada as a part of the US... is it not??? (god, sometimes it's good to be mean... *LOL*)

/Jan

Nov 29, 2007
Donna Carrick

Very cool space, Kathryn!
Donna Carrick
www.donnacarrick.com

Dec 7, 2007
Loretta Ross

Hi! Thanks for the invite! :)

I've been reading your blog and I really appreciated your on the spot description of last October's fires. Fire both fascinates and terrifies me and I have a great deal of respect for firefighters. I understand your decision to stay, though. Home is home. Here, in the past week, we've had temperatures ranging from 7 to 70, sunshine, gale-force winds, snow, ice, warm weather, thunderstorms, rain and tornadoes that killed two people eighty miles south of my house.

But it's home.

I also enjoyed reading your blog post about writers' tics. Does this count? I really enjoy J.D. Robb's (Nora Roberts') "In Death" books, but one thing she does makes me NUTS. In every book she has her heroine take a "boiling" shower at 101 degrees fahrenheit. Always throws me out of the story and makes me want to smack my head against the wall. That's less than three degrees warmer than body temperature, for heaven's sake! It's NOT a boiling shower. It's a COLD shower! And her husband comes in and tells her she's going to "boil her bones". Then they take a cold shower together.

And then they have sex. :-/

Anyway, thanks again for befriending me! :) Take care!

Jan 12, 2008
Jordan Dane

Hey Kathryn--Thanks for the friendship and I'm wishing you the best in 2008. Have a great Sunday.

Jan 14, 2008
Karen from AustCrime

Hi Kathryn - thanks for the friend invite - nice to "meet" you :)

Jan 14, 2008
Jordan Dane

God, that video had elements of the first time I ever pitched an editor with my first manuscript. (shiver) And I'd say that time may have improved my style, but...I wouldn't want to lie.

Jan 14, 2008
pam ward

Hi. Love your themes. I'm an LA girl who rode my bike to the beach but lived near Fairfax. I am interested in the group sister in crime. How do I join?
pam ward, author, WANT SOME GET SOME and the forthcoming BAD GIRLS BURN SLOW
pamwardwriter.com

Jan 22, 2008
John Boundy

Kathryn...Love your page! Really enjoyed Mr Grisham's interview...Hope you don't mind, I'm going to reach out to the DallasBookDiva...Thank you...Gonna listen to your download here in a bit...Keep up the great work!

Feb 4, 2008
L.J. Sellers

Hello Kathryn
I've heard great things about your book. It's a pleasure to meet you. And I'm delighted to see Stephen King on your list. He seems underappreciated by other writers.

Feb 18, 2008
Doug M. Cummings

Should we start a blog/association/support group/Fortune 500 company for "Broadcast Reporters Who Kill?" Seriously, I keep running into other reporters who write mystery/suspense.
So you don't have to check my profile, twenty-five years covering crime for TV/Radio, most recently at WGN... Delete Comment

Jul 16, 2008
pam ward

Hello Kathryn
Just a note to let you know that my new novel, BAD GIRLS BURN SLOW is here! Here is the first review.

"I WANT TO KISS PAM WARD'S PEN"
A great suspenseful erie read. Pam Ward really mixed it up with wicked kids, poisoning middle age wenches, funeral director's hiding secrets. Its all here in a hair raising hoot of a book. Everything you can sell off a human body is stuffed in. A wild, Lolita read.-Miss Fiction, Los Angeles, CA

Aug 10, 2008
Beth Groundwater

Hi Kathryn,
Thanks for befriending this fellow mystery author!

Nov 27, 2008
Angela

Yes, "Sookie" is that adorable! Thanks for adding me. I found you by accident trying to figure out if anyone else accepted a certain friend request (just making sure it wasn't spam). Incidentally, I saw your book covers here and plan to try them out! Looks like something I'd really enjoy.

Dec 5, 2008