M.K. Gilroy | I Fell in Love with a Mystery Woman

Our eyes met across a crowded room. Or was she standing on the platform as my train sped away? (Or was I on the platform and her train sped away?) Maybe it was her I saw on that late night stroll down the Champs d’ Elysee. She was on the other side of the boulevard. But when I rushed to her side she had disappeared. (Mysteriously, of course.)

Okay, maybe I have been reading too many Raymond Chandler novels from the 30s and my imagination is what’s running away.

But it’s true. I fell in love with a mystery woman. I can’t remember exactly where I was when it happened, but it happened.

Actually, my wife doesn’t have to wonder if I’m running off. Amy already knows that a few years ago I fell in love with Detective Kristen Conner, the lead character in my novels CUTS LIKE A KNIFE, EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE and now COLD AS ICE, so I’m not going anywhere.

Falling in love with my own novel heroine may seem a little bit strange, but I suspect I’m not the first writer or reader to fall in love with an imaginary character.

I get two frequent questions about Kristen Conner. First, how in the world did you write first person in a woman’s voice so convincingly? That’s an easy answer. As the father of three daughters, writing in a young woman’s voice wasn’t nearly as hard as it sounds. I’ve witnessed and experienced a lot of dramatic material just from keeping my eyes and ears open.

The second question—how did you get Kristen to come to life?—is tougher to answer.

Was it before I started writing CUTS LIKE A KNIFE? Not quite. I could almost see her, but she was shrouded in mist. But at some point, an idea took shape and she stepped out of the gray and into my life.

I never had an imaginary friend as a kid, but apparently, I have enough voices in my head that a character can rattle around in there, come to life, and write herself onto the pages of a book for me.

The next time a person from a book you are reading—notice I didn’t say character—walks off the page and into your heart, there’s a good chance the author didn’t just create that person for you, but discovered him or her along with you.

GIVEAWAY

What person in your favorite novel walked off the page and into your heart? Leave a comment below and be entered for a chance to win all three titles in the Kristen Conner mystery series.

About M.K. Gilroy

Mark "M.K." Gilroy is a veteran publishing executive who has helped acquire and created books and series that have sold millions of copies. In addition to being the author of the bestselling Kristen Conner Mystery Series, Mark publishes custom book projects for businesses, retailers, and ministries.

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About COLD AS ICE

What can go wrong on a run on in Central Park on your last day of vacation? Even if it is brutally cold? Everyone told Detective Kristen Conner to stay inside, which guaranteed she would go outside—and stumble onto a gang murder that puts her in the cross-hairs of a Russian “Red Mafyia” hit man.

Back in Chicago, murder strikes closer to home. Just down the street from where her mom lives, a popular schoolteacher, solid citizen, and great guy—he shovels snow for widows and volunteers to work with underprivileged kids—is found dead. It was supposed to look like an accident, but crime scene investigators discover more than one killing blow to the back of his head.

When Detective Kristen Conner lands the case, she knows from day one who the key suspect is. That’s simple. The person most likely to kill you is someone close . . . someone you know and love. But his wife? The nice lady down the street. How could that be possible? Kristen is about to discover there is more violence beneath the surface of the working-class neighborhood she grew up than she ever dreamed possible.

She’s also about to discover that when the Red Mafyia wants you dead, there is no place to hide. You better be ready to fight. Mix in her on-again, off-again relationship with FBI Agent Austin Reynolds, and Kristen Conner is once again swept into a world of danger, intrigue, and a confusing love life.