When writing THE HIDDEN LIGHT OF MEXICO CITY, I taped pesos coins to the cover of my notebooks for luck.

I hate getting my Italian leather wet. The sign says “:No diving.”

With Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes

With writer and podcaster Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes

Carmen Amato books on store shelf

All my books on display at Harper’s Books, Lebanon, TN.

The mystery book club sponsored by Harper’s Books chose 43 Missing as book of the month, Aug 2019!

Authors on the Air

After taping an episode of Authors on the Air with hosts Nola Nash and Laura Kemp, flanked by Mike Faricy (L) and Bruce Robert Coffin (R)

I still write some scenes longhand. Preferably in a coffee shop.

A gorgeous painted bench in Panama. I think this was a bus stop.

Inducted into the Class of 2019, Rome NY Arts Hall of Fame. Plaque is on display in the Capital Theater.

Above it all, in a promotional photo.

Final outline for RUSSIAN MOJITO

With Bruce Robert Coffin

With Bruce Robert Coffin, author of the Detective Byron series

Hazel, who is bigger than she looks. I give thanks for Dyson vacuum cleaners every day.

Casco Viejo, Panama. My Furla bag is better travelled than I am.

With authors Vee James (left) and Jodi Roosenraad (right), toasting the launch of RUSSIAN MOJITO with–what else–a mojito!

Dutch. I think his breed is “attention hound.”

With my Career Intelligence Medal on the Great Seal, shortly before Christmas 2016

With Mike Faricy

The annual snapshot with Mike Faricy, author of the Dev Haskell series

The lostest I’ve ever been, on a dirt and gravel track surrounded by sugar cane.

With Bradley Harper

Bradley Harper comes closest to being a Renaissance Man of anyone I know

With author Mike Faricy at the 2018 Killer Nashville conference.

The giant Poison Cup award for Outstanding Series from CrimeMasters of America.

Display during J.Jill’s 2019 celebration of female authors. Of course I was dressed head to toe in J.Jill fashion for the occasion!

Fun times with my favorite Italian leather handbag.

Blast from the Past – Killer Nashville 2019: R.G. Belsky, Carmen Amato, and conference founder Clay Stafford

With host of NPR’s ALT.Latino program, July 2016, after recording a segment for the show.

I kept this news story for years, knowing it was a story I would someday tell.

With author Jim Nesbitt at the 2018 Killer Nashville conference.

With Luis Rosas

With Luis Rosas, author of military thriller A SAVAGE JOY

From the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference: Francisco Goldman (seated), along with Amalia Melis (far left), founder of the Aegean Arts Circle writing workshops in Greece, and myself (in teal) with several alumni of Aegean Arts workshops.

Carmen Amato at CIA HQ

By the Memorial Wall at CIA Headquarters, Nov 2016. Each star represents an officer who died in the line of duty.