Mark Twain once said, “Write what you know,” which might explain why my murder mystery novel takes place at a New York law firm. Friends jokingly ask me, “Have you not had enough of law after working with it your whole life? Don’t you want to write books about something else?

If you’ve read my debut novel A Woman of Extraordinary Skill, you’ll know that much of it is set in a New York law firm, an environment that, at the time, was heavily dominated by men. My own first job after law school was at a prestigious New York firm not unlike the one Julia and Murray work for in the book. I am not exaggerating when I say that the corridors were lined with suits and ties. It was a sea of conformity, and I stood out: long hair, heels, and a quiet determination to make my place in that world.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what’s happening to women in this country. And I don’t like what I’m seeing. It is not a coincidence that a lot of my writing touches on women’s issues, and centres our experiences. My life-long experiences of working in a man-dominated field, both in law and as a president for my Synagogue, have made women’s rights a topic close to my heart. Therefore, I’m hoping that the coming year will be the one where we reclaim our power. 

My first job out of law school was an experience not unlike Julia’s in A Woman of Extraordinary Talent. I was so excited to start, to apply all the knowledge and problem-solving skills I had acquired over the years of studying, but soon learned the meaning of the terms corporate shark and wolf in a suit.