“Essentially and most simply put, plot is what the characters do to deal with the situation they are in. It is a logical sequence of events that grow from an initial incident that alters the status quo of the characters.”

Novelist and historian from the United States, writing from the 1980s onward. She is best known for her bestselling historical fiction series, *The Inspector Lynley Mysteries*, which blends meticulous research with gripping crime narratives. Her work also includes nonfiction, particularly her influential writing on writing itself.