The best crime novels are all based on people keeping secrets. All lying - you may think a lie is harmless, but you put them all together and there's a calamity. Alafair Burke basecalamitycrime Change image and share on social
Just as I know the usual rules of law enforcement, I also know the exceptions and invoke those frequently. I don't feel a need to bog the reader down with an explanation of why the procedures are realistic, as long as I know that there is, in fact, an explanation. Alafair Burke bogenforcementexception share on social
Teaching does allow me to keep one foot in the youthful waters I tend to occupy in my novels, so I'm thankful for that. My students also remind me on a daily basis that the stories I collected during my district attorney days are actually interesting to people who haven't had that experience. Alafair Burke attorneybasiscollect share on social
I've learned to accept the fact that my students are far too busy preparing for their own legal careers to care one bit about the off-campus antics of Professor Burke. I get the impression that my students are vaguely aware of my novels, but are at best mildly curious. Alafair Burke acceptanticaware share on social
Hmmm... cooking with wine? I usually drink wine while cooking... I do a good braised short ribs with cabernet, though. We're big red wine drinkers here. All that research showing that it's good for you takes the guilt away. Alafair Burke bigbraisecabernet share on social
Now that I think about it, maybe my own literary exploration of the dark secrets held by families could be traced back to V.C. Andrews. Alafair Burke andrewbackdark Change image and share on social
I was downright obnoxious. In second grade, we had some program where we kept a public list of all the books we read. I think it even included the number of pages. In my nerdy mind, having the longest and most impressive list was somehow going to make up for the fact that I couldn't climb a rope or do a backwards summersault in PE. Alafair Burke backwardsbookclimb share on social
Before we condemn the jurors who acquitted George Zimmerman, we should remember that they were asked to do something extraordinary. They were asked to listen to the facts and apply the law to the best of their ability in a case the world was watching. Alafair Burke abilityacquitapply share on social
Anyone who was tempted to draw comparisons between my father's 'Dave Robicheaux' series and my first book quickly gave up. Alafair Burke bookcomparisondave Change image and share on social
I find myself more and more behind these days. You have to be really diligent. I don't have kids, which helps. I'm always working on something, whether a book, or a law review article that no one will ever read, or teaching. It pretty much means I work a lot, but it's all stuff I love. Alafair Burke articlebookday share on social