ELLE COSIMANO is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, an International Thriller Writers Award winner, and an Edgar Award nominee. Elle’s debut novel for adults, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, kicked off a witty, fast-paced contemporary mystery series, which was a People magazine pick and was named one of New York Public Library's Best Books of 2021. In addition to writing novels for teens and adults, her essays have appeared in HuffPost and Time. Cosimano lives with her husband and two sons in Virginia.

Which of your good ideas turned out to be a bad one? When I was in high school, I skipped school with a friend and took a train into the city to spend the day at the National Gallery of Art. I thought it would be time well-spent and more educational than spending a day in class. I didn't know my friend's mother worked for the attendance office at our school. We both got caught. And we learned more than we'd expected. 😂 

 Which advice never lost its value? Someone once told me you don't need a lot of words, only the right ones. I've found this to be true in most facets of my life. 

What is the one thing you really could not live without? My children. They've grown and flown, but they're still the center of my universe. 

What would be different if you had created the world? More moms would be in charge. Of everything. 

What was the most important moment in your career as an author? The most memorable moment of my career was the night I attended the Edgar Awards banquet as a nominee. I turned around to see Stephen King sitting right behind me. I was too nervous to introduce myself and shake his hand, but what a thrill to share the same space with a legend.