Carol Higgins Clark's 15th Regan Reilly mystery, Gypped, will hit shelves April 3, 2012. Her first Regan Reilly mystery, Decked, was nominated for both the Agatha and Anthony Awards. The other books (in order) are Snagged, Iced, Twanged, Fleeced, Jinxed, Popped, Burned, Hitched, Laced, Zapped, Cursed, Wrecked, and Mobbed.
Carol is the daughter of bestselling suspense writer Mary Higgins Clark. They have co-authored five bestselling holiday novels, Deck the Halls (the book in which Regan Reilly met Jack "no relation" Reilly), He Sees You When You’re Sleeping, The Christmas Thief, Santa Cruise, and Dashing Through the Snow.
Also an actress, Carol lives in New York City.
How long does it take you to write your mysteries and what type of writing schedule do you have?
I write one book a year, except when my mother and I write a Christmas book. I like to get up early and get to work. When I'm really into a book, I write all day. When I'm getting to the end, sometimes I don't know what's going on around me! Two years ago, I was finishing Wrecked and didn't realize we were in the middle of a huge snowstorm! I live in New York City and have a view of the East River so I couldn't tell that snow was piling up when I glanced out the window!
When did you first realize you had a passion for murder?
I don't really have a passion for murder! My books are more lighthearted so I keep the murder count down.
How did you come up with the idea for the Regan Reilly series?
Someone suggested to me I try writing a mystery because I'd retyped my mother's books for her since the time I was in college and I'd been studying acting. I came up with Regan Reilly — the publisher suggested I make her mother a mystery writer.
Did you have deadlines for yourself throughout your writing process?
I never have specific deadlines for myself throughout the writing process. I know when I have to get a book done. During the process, I'm either working on it at the computer or mulling over ideas in my mind as I go about my life. And being a writer, I'm always looking for new material. Whenever something weird occurs, which seems to be fairly often, people always say to me — "You have to use this in a book!"
Article comments
1 - Dru
Great interview!
2 - Marilyn Meredith
I loved reading this. I met Mary Higgins Clark years ago at a small mystery writing conference in the mountains in California. She was so friendly and gracious. Years later I saw her again at an Edgar week event, and she said she remembered me. I doubt that she did, but it was so nice of her to say so.