Hello, Ann! Tell us about yourself.

Miami is the city I grew up in and it's the city I write about. A giant, complex, complicated city where the sun light bounces off water, the buildings, windows, and people; traffic jams at all hours; tropical leaves and flowers are abundant; there is rain and more rain; and degradation, crime, dirt, water, brilliance. I remember riding a city bus at the age of eleven, going downtown alone, shopping in the only Burdine's department store and the five and dime next door. I was safe. My three children played outside with other neighborhood children and I had no fear at that time they'd be harmed. Now few parents allow their children to play outside unattended. But I stayed in that amazing city where I went to high school and to the University of Miami and bore my children. I left when I could no longer tolerate the heat.

Are you coming to mystery writing from another job?

My graduate degree was in English literature and I studied city planning and landscape architecture. When I was offered the position as editor at the botanical garden Fairchild Tropical Garden I thought the job had been made for me. I remember taking daily walks around the Garden to relieve job stress. After ten years I took a job at the University of Miami School of Medicine and later on the University's main campus. I was editor and writer at both campuses and left as editorial director in the University of Miami Department of Publications. During all that time I wrote many free lance articles, feature articles, and a column. One of my awards was from the Atlanta Art Papers for an article I wrote on the artist Anna Mendieta-One of the Best of the Decade. I'm proud of that one. When I left the University of Miami and prepared to leave Miami, I started my book ALMOST NIGHT. And I finished it in Durham, North Carolina. I am lucky enough to be able to write fiction full time.

What led you to write mystery?

I began ALMOST NIGHT because I'd given my writing group an assignment: Try to write about the experience of being awake in the middle of the night so that the reader will have the same experience. One thing led to another and I said, "I've got a dark imagination. Go with it." At the time I was reading as many mysteries as I could get my hands on, some better than others. The one I was reading was a good one, but I said, I can do better than that. I'm not sure I did, but I've tried.

Tell us about your road to publication.

I began the book not knowing how to write a novel, much less a mystery. I wrote the thing, the first go round, by outlining mysteries to see how it was done (I couldn't find any recipes.) I also read books analyzing what other writers did and what was successful. I didn't read only mysteries, but many other books. I read and read and wrote and wrote, trying to figure out how to do it.

What kind of research was involved for your first book?

The inspiration for the plot came from a neighborhood serial murder in progress at the time. (Can you believe it? In my neighborhood! No wonder I had a dark imagination.) I became fascinated with the subject: Why would someone kill over and over again? Why do women, in particular, become victims-to murder, to abuse. My theory, in the end, was that there is a continuum of abuse which at one point steps over the line from psychological to physical to sadistic murder. And then there was the question, how do you tell who is a serial murderer and who isn't? I also immersed myself in the homicide police culture and studied the grief that survivors feel and experience. I questioned pathologists and gynecologists. Then of course I observed people.

Who are your influences as a writer?

I first read a lot of John Updike and became aware of the tremendous courage he has to be able to write as he does. I read Elizabeth George, I read early P.D. James, who is an extraordinary writer. I read and read. I'd say my most important influence in writing has been John Updike. Though he isn't a mystery writer, any good writer must engage the reader and want him or her to turn the page. That's suspense!

Tell us about plans for future books.

I am currently working on a second book with Homicide Detective Susannah Cannon as the protagonist. The more I write about her, the more I understand her and know her. My characters have a way of revealing themselves to me as I become open to them.

How can readers get in touch with you?

Though my web page is not yet up, I'd like to hear from readers, especially about what is most important to them in the book. My email address is arp8888@mindspring.com. I'll let you know when the web page is ready.

Thank you, Ann, and best of luck with your next book. Readers, we have a review of Almost Night here at TMR.

May 8, 2000