From the Booking Desk:

This is no denying that have been a fan of Lori Rader-Day from the very beginning of her career. In fact, my critique of her second novel, Little Pretty Things, is one of my reviews that I most cherish. Fortunately I have been able to get to know Lori as a person as well – not just via her impressive work. Seeing her at the various conventions is always a highlight of those weekends. Behinds the scenes, she is incredibly supportive of other writers and volunteers her time with many genre-related organizations and events. As you shall see from her Composite Sketch answers, Lori Rader-Day is also anything but predictable. Read on and enjoy!

Name: Lori Rader-Day
Location: Chicago, Illinois

This person from my personal life is such an inspiration:

Well, this is a tough question, but if I have to pick just one, I will choose my sister, Jill Bryan, who works hard at a job that is way harder than mine and is raising twin girls, both with outsized personalities. She is such a loving and fun mom to them. I can’t wait for when they’re adults and they realize how cool their mom was the whole time. Even if she weren’t my younger sister, we’d be friends.

One of the people I admire most in the crime fiction community is:

This is also a tough one! You ask hard questions. Who I really admire are the people who have found their place in the community by being so much exactly who they are, doing what they love, and then paying it forward for others. A perfect example of that is Sara Paretsky. All the things she’s done in her career have made mine possible, and also she’s genius-level smart. When it comes to fiction writing, I’m just making things up, but she’s just as cool as VI.

STALKER ALERT! If this fictional character were real, they would likely need to get a restraining order against me:

Vera Stanhope, from the Ann Cleeves‘ series. I’m obsessed. Ann Cleeves already probably feels the need of a restraining order from me because I’m such a fan. Also, if I can cheat and add one more: Ellie Stone from James Ziskin’s series. I think Ellie, Vera, and I could have a nice drink together, get into some trouble, and sort the world’s problems. IF WE FELT LIKE IT.

People are always surprised that I am a fan of this individual (singer, actor, or artist):

I was a teenager of the ’80s in an area that did not have good radio, living in a house that did not have cable, OK, so hear me out. My high school music was Q95 rock ‘n’ roll—some of it already categorized as “oldies” when I discovered it—and…metal. So when I say I love (love, present tense) Def Leppard, I do not mean it ironically. Also, Fleetwood Mac. I contain multitudes.

My personal catch phrase is (or should be):

Feeling a little disappointed about my life that I don’t have a catch phrase. I have a t-shirt that I wear to crime fiction events that says “Sweet but Deadly.” I think that sums it up.

Find out more about Lori here