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

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

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

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

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

With author Mike Faricy at the 2018 Killer Nashville conference.

With author Jim Nesbitt at the 2018 Killer Nashville conference.

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.

An early outline for RUSSIAN MOJITO

Final outline for RUSSIAN MOJITO

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

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

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

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

Fun times with my favorite Italian leather handbag.

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

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

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

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

Killer Nashville 2019: R.G. Belsky, Carmen Amato, and conference founder Clay Stafford

Above it all, in a promotional photo.

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

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

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

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

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!