My parents were liberal intellectuals but even they expected me to stay at home and look after my younger siblings and do the housework.

I grew up in conservative rural Kansas in the 1950s when it was expected that girls would not have a life outside the home, so educating them was a waste of time.

In 1986 we were trying to help women get in print, stay in print, and come to the attention of booksellers and libraries. At that time, books by men mystery writers were reviewed seven times as often as books by women.

It took me nine months to write 60 pages. It was very frustrating.

I wish I could remember where I put things. I spend half my life looking for my keys. With the other half I look for my glasses.

My siblings and I had this theory that my parents were spies.