104 ratings | 18 reviews | avg rating:4.33

Elisabeth Elo’s Followers (212)

Elisabeth’s Bookshelves

to-read (26)
currently-reading (2)
read (105)
did-not-finish (0)
favorites (12)
thrillers-suspense (26)
fiction (26)
memoir (2)
non-fiction-general (11)
non-fiction-russia (12)
See all bookshelves »

Elisabeth’s Friends (530)

Doug Cooper

493 books | 3,715 friends

Anyah Maria

2,175 books | 221 friends

Bill Fairclough

473 books | 5,145 friends

Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme)

3,175 books | 3,890 friends

Ailish Sinclair

128 books | 4,960 friends

Kim Fay

1,370 books | 261 friends

Sawney Hatton

297 books | 805 friends

Linnéa

1,307 books | 52 friends

More friends…

Elisabeth Elo

Goodreads Author

Born

Los Angeles, The United States

Website

http://www.elisabethelo.com

Twitter

ElisabethElo1

Genre

Fiction, Thriller, Mystery

Member Since

September 2013

edit data

Elisabeth Elo is the author of NORTH OF BOSTON, chosen by Booklist as a Best Crime Novel Debut of the Year. Published in six countries, it was also an Indie Next selection and a Book of the Month / Literary Guild Selection. Elisabeth’s second suspense novel, FINDING KATARINA M., is forthcoming in March 2019.

Elisabeth grew up in Boston, attended Brown University, and earned a PhD in American Literature at Brandeis. She worked as a children's magazine editor, a high-tech product manager, and a halfway house counselor before starting to write fiction. To learn more, visit www.elisabethelo.com. ...more

Learn more
Ask the Author

To ask Elisabeth Elo questions, please sign up.

Popular Answered Questions

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Elisabeth Elo I've thought about this a lot, and I'd say there are five things that a writer needs to succeed: knowledge, talent, hard work, persistence, luck.

First…moreI've thought about this a lot, and I'd say there are five things that a writer needs to succeed: knowledge, talent, hard work, persistence, luck.

First, you’ve got to read enough to know what a novel is and how it works. It helps to find a book you really like and take it apart to see how it's made, sort of the way a mechanic would take an engine apart to see how the parts fit together. I know that doesn't sound very romantic or artsy, but if you love novels, it's actually sort of fun. You ask yourself, "How did the author DO that? How did they make that transition? How did they create that impression or effect?"

Second, you’ve got to have some basic talent. Talent is different in every person. You may be a wordsmith, or a fantasist, or especially perceptive about other people, or especially observant, or maybe you just have natural storytelling ability. Whatever your innate talent is, you start there. In other words, build on your strengths, and with any luck you'll end up bringing something that’s distinctly your own to life.

Third is hard work. No need to explain this: I don’t know a single person who’s good at what they do who doesn’t work hard.

Fourth is persistence through all the rejections from agents and editors that will probably come your way. (A word of caution: Don’t put yourself out there too soon. Wait until your book is the very best it can be before you start trying to sell it because once it’s been turned down someplace you can’t go back.) I have a long list of failures and near-misses I could share with you, but you probably don't have enough time to hear them all!

Finally, luck—otherwise know as being in the right place at the right time. You can’t control this. When you've got it, it's exhilarating. When you don't, it's heartbreaking. But the more you focus on steps 1 through 4, the greater the chance that things will break your way.

Oh, I forgot one thing: The whole reason we do this is because we love it, right? That's the heart and soul of the thing. Don't let yourself lose the fun of it, ever. Love this crazy art!(less)

flag

4 likes · like
4 comments

Does the fact that used the name Kasparov, and that Pirio's father was teaching Noah to play, suggest that you are an avid chess player?

Elisabeth Elo I'm not a chess player, and the connection between the name Kasparov and Pirio's father's hobby didn't even occur to me until you mentioned it! But I …moreI'm not a chess player, and the connection between the name Kasparov and Pirio's father's hobby didn't even occur to me until you mentioned it! But I was aware, of course, that Garry Kasparov is a former World Chess Champion and a leader of the pro-democracy movement in Russia. I figured the name had very good associations, and I also liked the sound of it. Someday I would like to learn to play chess. (I already know how to smoke cigars.) (less)

flag

3 likes · like
Comment

See all 5 answers from Elisabeth Elo…

Combine Editions
Elisabeth Elo’s books

Average rating: 3.61 · 2,483 ratings · 514 reviews · 4 distinct works • Similar authors

	North of Boston 3.57 avg rating — 2,148 ratings — published 2014 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Finding Katarina M. 3.91 avg rating — 304 ratings — published 2019 — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Taste of Power 3.52 avg rating — 31 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	North of Boston[NORTH OF BOSTON][Hardcover] by ElisabethElo, Elisabeth Elo (Goodreads Author) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

Elisabeth is Currently Reading

Elisabeth Elo is currently reading

The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant (Merritt & Blunt Mysteries, #1)

by Liza Tully (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Jan 17, 2026 08:49AM

Elisabeth Elo is currently reading

For Empath about Narcissist: Probably the Only Book You’ll Ever Need to Truly Understand the Thoughts, Actions, and Nature of Empaths and Narcissists. And What to Do With That Knowledge.

by Whitney Barton

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Nov 19, 2025 10:19AM

rss
Elisabeth’s Recent Updates

Elisabeth Elo and 22 other people liked Elizabeth George's review of The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II: "After reading The Poppy War and seeing how the author recreated the Rape of Nanking through fantasy, I felt compelled to read about the actual events. This is not a book for the faint of heart as it depicts man's cruelty to man so pellucidly that the" Read more of this review »
Apr 08, 2026 11:19AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Elisabeth Elo is currently reading The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant (Merritt & Blunt Mysteries, #1) by Liza Tully (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 17, 2026 08:49AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Elisabeth Elo and 2 other people liked Jill's review of The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant (Merritt & Blunt Mysteries, #1): "Olivia Blunt is a big fan of fictional detective stories and one real-life detective. As a fact checker for an online news bureau, she checked on story about Aubrey Merritt, and she became fascinated by the woman. She used logic and psychology to sol" Read more of this review »
Dec 17, 2025 01:29PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Elisabeth Elo and 4 other people liked Robin's review of The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant (Merritt & Blunt Mysteries, #1): "This was a complete delight. Fashioned on the Holmes-Watson model, the “Greatest Detective,” Aubrey Merritt, is a 60 something lady with a pristine reputation for cracking difficult cases. As the book opens, she hires the somewhat hapless, aka Watson" Read more of this review »
Dec 17, 2025 01:29PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Elisabeth Elo and 142 other people liked Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo)'s review of The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant (Merritt & Blunt Mysteries, #1): "Audible review: The World’s Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant 🤨 Author: Liza Tully Narrator: Emma Ladji (more please!) 11 hrs 56 minutes at 1x 7 hrs 57 minutes at 1.5x What a catchy title! Am I right? I just HAD to read this! ❤️ Nobody is mor" Read more of this review »
Dec 17, 2025 01:08PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Elisabeth Elo is currently reading For Empath about Narcissist: Probably the Only Book You’ll Ever Need to Truly Understand the Thoughts, Actions, and Nature of Empaths and Narcissists. And What to Do With That Knowledge. by Whitney Barton	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 19, 2025 10:19AM · like
Elisabeth Elo is now following Liza Tully Author of The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Oka...
Mar 03, 2025 08:07AM · like
Elisabeth Elo voted for Sociopath: A Memoir as Readers' Favorite Memoir in the Opening Round of the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards. Cast Your Vote
Nov 22, 2024 01:05PM · like

More of Elisabeth's books…

Quotes by Elisabeth Elo (?)

“But a bond is a bond. And when you’re young and haven’t yet learned to live in your own solitude, even a destructive bond can seem better than none.”
― Elisabeth Elo, North of Boston

tags: fiction, mystery

1 likes

“Your weakness - the weakness of your soft American life - is you think that all people are like you, that reason can explain everything in this world. You expect two plus two to equal four. But it doesn't. It equals whatever the powerful say it does. If they say it equals a hundred and eight, the mathematicians will prove it's so. --- (Milosa Kasparov)”
― Elisabeth Elo, North of Boston

tags: orwellian

0 likes

“All across the world, people are loyal to their tribe. --- (Pirio)”
― Elisabeth Elo, North of Boston

tags: family, loyalty

0 likes

See all Elisabeth Elo's quotes »

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
The Seasonal Read...: 25.12 - Janet F's Task: A Trivial Challenge	41	82	Jul 30, 2014 08:25AM
The Seasonal Read...: Completed Tasks: Do Not Delete Posts	2625	601	Aug 31, 2014 08:59PM
Black Coffee: 2014 New to You! Challenge	37	110	Dec 19, 2014 03:08PM
Aussie Readers: Recently purchased/acquired book/s	11518	1449	Mar 07, 2016 06:20PM
Aussie Readers: * What Are You Currently Reading? (doesn't have to be an Aussie book)	15617	2523	Mar 07, 2016 06:26PM
2026 Reading Chal...: Yvonne's reading corner & challenges	38	68	Mar 09, 2016 12:25PM

More…

Elisabeth’s Quotes

“Surely all art is the result of one's having been in danger, of having gone through an experience all the way to the end, where no one can go any further.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters on Cézanne

29 likes

Elisabeth’s Friend Comments

Comments (showing 1-2) post a comment »

date

newest »

message 2: by Elisabeth

Jan 07, 2015 07:05PM

Tracy wrote: "Thanks for adding me, it's great to connect!"
Great to meet you, Tracy!

reply | flag

message 1: by Tracy

Jan 06, 2015 07:58AM

Thanks for adding me, it's great to connect!

reply | flag

Elisabeth Elo’s Followers (212)

Add New
Videos

Elisabeth’s Bookshelves

Elisabeth’s Friends (530)

Elisabeth Elo

Goodreads Author

Learn more
Ask the Author

Popular Answered Questions

Combine Editions
Elisabeth Elo’s books

Elisabeth is Currently Reading

rss
Elisabeth’s Recent Updates

See a Problem?

Preview — The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang

See a Problem?

Preview — The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully

See a Problem?

Preview — The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully

See a Problem?

Preview — The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully

See a Problem?

Preview — The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully

Topics Mentioning This Author

Elisabeth’s Quotes

recent posts
Elisabeth’s Groups

Elisabeth’s Friend Comments

Elisabeth Elo’s Followers (212)

Elisabeth Elo

Goodreads Author

Popular Answered Questions

rssElisabeth’s Recent Updates

See a Problem?

Preview — The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang

See a Problem?

Preview — The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully

See a Problem?

Preview — The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully

See a Problem?

Preview — The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully

See a Problem?

Preview — The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully

Topics Mentioning This Author

rss
Elisabeth’s Recent Updates