Fiona Barton

The secrets of small towns have fascinated writers and readers since the first psychological thriller was penned.

For me, there has always been the irresistible lure of a secret.

It's a wonderful experience to be reading a story and think you've got things all figured out, and then suddenly, it all goes upside-down on you.

The success of 'The Widow' meant there were expectations for the second book from the first word, and it has created a completely different writing experience. Not to say I haven't enjoyed writing 'The Child,' but I confess there were times when I felt as if I was wrenching it out of my body with bloodied fingernails!

The emotions, responsibilities - and the pain - of motherhood are unique to each of us with children. Ask any woman, and she will have her own story to tell.

Since reading 'Sophie's Choice,' I have been haunted by the agonizing idea of choosing between two children.

We may like to pretend otherwise, but we all have thoughts we don't want anyone else to know, things we've done that would change the way people feel about us, or parts of our lives that we would rather forget.

As a reporter, I spent a great deal of time in court. During brief breaks in testimony, I would often look at the spouse, usually the wife, of the accused. I began to wonder how listening to the details of a crime purportedly committed by your spouse would affect that person's view of her husband.

The imagination is such as powerful tool: suggestion is all you need. People fill in gaps.

A lot of people think journalists are criminals, and there are some who haven't helped us. But the media is essential for democratic society.