1.  Where were you born?

I was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec.

 2.  Of the books you have written, which one is your favourite?

I don't really have a favourite.  Every time I sit down to write a book, it becomes my favourite.  Trying to decide which one I like best would be like trying to decide which of my kids I like best.  I love them all -- but maybe in slightly different ways.

3. What inspired you to write crime novels?

I love reading them -- always have -- and so I decided to try writing one.  If you're going to spend months and months writing something, it helps if it's something you're really interested in.

 4. When did you first find that you enjoyed writing?

In elementary school.  I decided at the age of 12 that I wanted to BE a writer.

 5. Was it difficult to get your first book published?

It's always difficult.  Most writers (not all, but most) I know have gone through lots of rejection.  The first book I wrote was actually rejected.  The same publisher then published my second attempt.

 6. Where do you get your ideas?

Things I read in the newspaper or hear about on the news usually give me a starting point.  Then I dream up the rest from there.  Fortunately, I have a pretty lively imagination.

 7.  What's your favourite movie of all time?

Wow, what a hard question.  I have so many favourites -- old movies like African Queen and White Heat, action pictures like Die Hard and Executive Decision (I LOVE action movies), and more mainstream stuff like Juno, The Lookout, You Can Count on Me (a terrific brother-sister movie) and Wonder Boys.

 8. What was your worst/best grade in school?

I did well in English, History and languages (French, German, even Latin) -- and terribly in Chemistry and Math.

 9.  Are you a high-school drop-out or what?

Or what.  Not only did I survive high school, but I actually graduated.  I even went on to university and earned a degree.

 10. What writer inspired you the most?

Another hard question.  I read a lot (I hardly ever watch TV) and have a lot of favourite writers -- and I like different writers for different reasons.  I like a lot of crime writers – but also a lot of writers who don’t write mysteries or crime stories.  And I get inspired my almost everyone I read, provided they are good at what they do.

 11.  What are your hobbies?

Reading (all kinds of stuff), writing (of course), hiking, biking, and taking long, long walks in the woods (in all seasons, although fall and winter are my favourites).  I also like cross-country skiing, baking (I make fudge brownies to die for) and going to the movies as often as I can.

 12.  What’s your favourite colour?

Definitely black.

 13.  How old are you?

Old enough to remember what life was like before VCRs, DVDs, CDs and cellphones.  In fact, old enough to remember black and white TV and transistor radios.

14.  Where are the Mike and Riel books set?

This one is for Alex, who asked the question and who needs an answer RIGHT NOW! Hit and Run, Truth and Lies, and Dead and Gone are all set in Toronto. In fact, they're set in my neighbourhood.

15.  Where's Nick???!!! .

A lot of readers of my Robyn Hunter mysteries have asked me what the heck happened to Nick. Where did he go? Is he ever coming back? I don't want to give anything away, but since so many readers have asked (and a few have been more than a little disappointed that he disappeared), let me just say this -- you haven't seen the last of Nick. Neither has Robyn. I promise.