USA Today bestseller Catherine Mann resides on a sunny Florida beach with her military flyboy husband and their four children. Also a RITA Award winner, Catherine writes action-packed military suspense for Berkley and Sourcebooks, and steamy romances for Harlequin Desire. With over two million books in print in more than twenty countries, she has also celebrated five RITA finals, three Maggie Award of Excellence finals and a Bookseller’s Best win. A former theater school director and university teacher, she holds a Master’s degree in Theater from UNC-Greensboro and a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts (with minors in both English and Education) from the College of Charleston. Catherine and her family are also active volunteers in animal rescue, having fostered more than fifty puppies and special needs dogs for their local shelter.
What was the most memorable research trip you've made?
Animals and animal rescue frequently play a role in my books. One year for our anniversary, my hubby and I road tripped to transport a shelter dog from Florida to Texas. We didn’t have any money left for gifts or a special meal out, but knowing we’d saved a life was the best gift possible!
Please share with us the most interesting stories law enforcement professionals have told you?
I have a source/friend in our local police department and he told me a funny story when our families all went out to eat last week. He participated in the investigation into a suspected meth lab. To achieve the necessary search warrant, he and fellow police detectives were sifting through the trash. They found a fortune from a fortune cookie that read, “A surprise visitor awaits you.” They also found the evidence needed – and surprise. The meth lab had police “visitors.”
Are there any stories that have made you cry, laugh, stunned you or rendered you speechless when you heard it, that you had to incorporate them in your fiction?
Hot Zone is set in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake – not at all funny and definitely a stressful setting. But I knew pacing wise the book would need moments of relief from the tension. I was able to interview a former Air Force pararescue jumpers (PJs) who had participated in a similar type of rescue. The scene where all the PJs run out into the street wearing only towels was inspired by one of his stories!
What is the most disgusting fact you've woven a story around?
Article comments
1 - Pj Schott
Terrific interview. Catherine Mann sounds like one of our kind.
2 - Catherine Mann
Thanks so much for checking out the interview, PJ! :)