Katy McDermott

- The title of the book was originally “Death on the Agenda.” I thought I was being original until I did some internet research and discovered that at least 4 other books had the same title!

- Like the main character, I hate to fly (and I used to be a meeting planner). That’s where the similarities end, though – Laurie’s younger, thinner, and a whole lot braver than I am.

- The identity of the murderer has always been the same – but in a very early draft of the book, he or she (you don’t think I’m giving that away, do you?) was a secret heroin addict. I decided against the “heroin addict” idea when I realized I wouldn’t be able to write convincingly enough about it.

- I didn’t think of the subplot involving the animal rights activists until 2003. I’m glad I did, though, because they were so much fun to write about.

- During a research trip to Miami in August of 2006, I heard the story of the Spite Wall, leaned how Hurricane Andrew impacted the Hispanic community, and got thoroughly, utterly drenched while trying to find my local contact’s office.