“If I wasn't a writer, I would probably be a watchmaker. I like putting puzzles together, and that is what a watch is, figuring out how all the gears and everything else works together. I'm patient and good at focusing on a single task.”

American crime novelist based in Georgia, her career spans over three decades. She is best known for her gritty, character-driven crime fiction, blending psychological depth with Southern Gothic elements. Her work often explores complex moral dilemmas and the consequences of violence.