Writers, Ink: Your backstage pass to the world's most prolific authors Series potential with bestselling thriller author, Lisa Gardner.
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Aug 19, 2025 Lisa Gardner, a #1 New York Times bestselling thriller novelist, shares her journey from food service to bestselling author, citing her fascination with police procedures as her driving force. She discusses the challenges and joys of writing series, focusing on her character Frankie Elkin and the emotional depth of her stories. The conversation also touches on the impact of recent literary changes, including book bans and the digital shift in reviews. Lastly, Lisa highlights the invigorating role travel plays in her creative process.
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How Frankie Elkin Was Born
- Frankie Elkin emerged from Lisa's curiosity about amateur sleuths and armchair detectives in the information age.
- Gardner imagined a person with no authority who nevertheless tries to find missing people using empathy and persistence.
Empathy Trumps Skills In Her Detective
- Frankie succeeds because of empathy and adaptability, not physical or technical prowess.
- Gardner frames the character as someone whose personal failures become investigative strengths.
Research Via Tucson Resettlement Volunteers
- Gardner met volunteers who resettle refugees in Tucson and used them as an entry point for research.
- Those conversations revealed the extreme 90-day pressure refugees face to establish themselves in the U.S.
