A Quick One on The Side - Meg Gardiner

Today's guest writer is Meg Gardiner.

Meg was born in Oklahoma. (No bursting into song, please) She was raised in Santa Barbara, California. Meg graduated from the Stanford University and studied at Stanford Law School. She practised law in Los Angeles and taught writing at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Meg now lives near London with her husband and their three children.
Meg has written two series featuring female characters, Evan Delaney and forensic psychiatrist, Jo Beckett. This allowed Meg to fulfil her dream. She once said "I always wanted to write a novel. And it was time to put up or shut up." Meg was awarded a Mystery Writers of America Edgar (Best Paperback Original) in 2009 for her novel 'China Lake'. She also received a Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award in 2008 for her novel 'The Dirty Secrets Club'.
Stephen King is a fan. "...when great things are found, it's part of the Big Plan...I need to tell you about Meg Gardiner, who simply must be part of the Big Plan. And if you love great thrillers, you'll want to listen...her five novels (the Evan Delaney series) are simply put, the finest crime suspense series I've come across in the last 20 years." Fine praise indeed.

So, here we go, ten quick questions for Meg...

Who is your favourite author?
"James Lee Burke, Elmore Leonard, Stephen King, Sue Grafton, Carl Hiaasen, Annie Proulx, Lee Child, Wallace Stegner, and how could you possibly ask me to choose just one?"

What would be your favourite book read?
"'The Stand' by Stephen King."

Who is your favourite band/group?
"The Foo Fighters."

What is your most listened to album?
"Counting from the time my parents bought it: 'Abbey Road' by the Beatles."

What has been the best gig/concert that you have attended?
"The Police at Twickenham Stadium, London in September 2007."

What is your favourite food?
"Mexican. Oh wait-chocolate."

What would be your favourite holiday destination?
"Phuket. Or Maui. Or Grindelwald, at the foot of the Eiger. Or my mom's house."
(I've been there. Grindelwald, that is, not Meg's mom's house.)

What would be the most autographs you've ever signed in one session?
"600+"

Have you ever been mistaken for someone else?
"Some parents at my kids' school thought I was the author of 'The Princess Diaries', Meg Cabot. After all, there couldn't be two writers with that first name, could there?"

How often do you get recogonised?
"Never. People have failed to recognise me while I stand in front of them holding a copy of my own novel, with my name and photo visible. Of course, if I ever decide to rob a bank, this could be an advantage. The Wanted posters would be useless."


Here is Meg, sunning herself after her latest bank raid.

Many thanks to Meg for taking the time to answer my quickies today. It is much appreciated.

My next guest writer in the series will be Gregg Hurwitz. Thank you for reading.....