Wendy Anderson asked Linwood Barclay:

I do enjoy your stories. I do cringe every time parents and children swear at each other. I have been known to throw out the f word, but I don’t swear at my children and don’t know people who think it is ok to do so.Why do ALL of your characters regularly speak to each other in such a way? Is that how people you know talk to their children?

Linwood Barclay Not sure which book you are referring to, but I would guess that if the adults are using swear words with their kids, the kids are at the very least in their teens. Our kids are in their 30s now, and I can assure you we all talk like sailors (nothing against sailors). Anyway, I suppose when you have spent thirty years working in newspapers, you figure everyone speaks this way. The people in my book are undergoing the most stressful things that will ever happen in their lives, and I think it's highly likely that under stress they would speak this way. Finally, I am always amused that in books that depict horrible crimes, with people doing monstrous things to one another, that it is the language that might offend. We choose to be entertained by offensive acts, but want it to happen without offensive words. All the best!

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