What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
I read an article years ago now about a teenager whose father was shot in the woods. As a parent of teens, I kept worrying about the boy’s state of mind and how hard it would be to keep going after being forced from the safety of his father’s guidance. It kept coming back to me, so I crafted a version with an ordinary woman in a deadly landscape and asked: What happens when the place you thought you understood becomes part of the deadly threat?
The setting for my novel was obvious: Yellowstone’s rugged magnificence houses geysers, thermal pools, wild animals, unpredictable weather, and miles of wilderness far from any help.
That became The Kill Line. At its heart, it’s a survival story and a cat-and-mouse thriller. Still, it’s also about what happens when someone refuses to accept the narrative others believe, especially when those beliefs underestimate the will to survive.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be? (Meant to be fun. Skip if you need to!)
For the protagonist, I’d pick “Freedom” by Beyoncé. I love the line about keeping running because winners don’t quit on themselves. Jane must keep moving forward; if she doesn’t, she’ll die.
For the antagonist, I’d go with “Paint It, Black” by The Rolling Stones. There’s something beautifully ominous about it! And the killer would appreciate the drama.
And for Yellowstone itself? “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Well, except in this case, the mountain doesn’t care if you live or die.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers, and atmospheric suspense hooks me quickly every single time! I love books that make me feel as if I’m somewhere I’ve never been…and then make me very nervous about being there.
That’s also what I love writing. I’m especially drawn to stories about smart, determined women who find themselves in situations outside their comfort zones. Give me a dangerous landscape, a secret someone will kill to keep hidden, and a woman who refuses to quit, and I’m hooked.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
So many! I get the best book recommendations from fellow writers. Thankfully, I read on my Kindle app—otherwise, my office would be too full of books to navigate. I bounce between mysteries, thrillers, literary fiction (I just finished Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather), craft books, and contemporary romance.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The badger scene was particularly poignant. The bison were another exciting set of scenes. I enjoyed learning more about Jane when she was alone in the wilderness because I could lean into the tension between the beauty of Yellowstone and the danger surrounding her. I love that contrast: everything can look breathtaking while something is wrong.
My favorite thriller moments are when a new choice by the protagonist moves the goalposts. I do love a good twist…
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
My Killer Nashville mug sits on my desk. It reminds me of all the brilliant writers I meet at that conference and how they’re honing their craft and building their success.
My real quirk is that I disappear down research rabbit holes. If I need to know how something works, I need to know exactly how it works. So, when I was writing about Yellowstone, I had to visit! I talked with my Uncle Paul, who had been a park ranger there for many years. He has so many stories! I put some up on my Substack. I also had to read extensively on the topic. There is always one more fascinating thing to research, and I want to know everything.
Also, I apparently believe that improving a thriller manuscript involves making a character’s day worse.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
“Every clue is a risk.”
That’s the tagline for my J.J. Cagney mysteries and thrillers, and it captures how I approach both writing and storytelling. A clue provides information, sure, but it also forces a character to make a choice, take a risk, or see the world differently.
I recommend curiosity. Granted, it has created most of the trouble in my books (and my life!).
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I’d love for readers to remember that sometimes the most dangerous thing you can do is assume you know the entire story. Take Jane. She’s terrified, vulnerable, and wants to quit. But she keeps going anyway. That takes grit and determination, which is something I strive to show in each of my novels.
