Goodreads asked Martin Roy Hill:

What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

Martin Roy Hill Because of my background, I have been involved - however, tangentially - in many real life mysteries, including murder investigations. As a reserve sergeant with the local sheriff's search and rescue unit, I took part in many searches for evidence and bodies. That included the prominent case of a small girl who was kidnapped, abused, and murdered by a neighbor while her parents engaged in a sex party in another part of the house.

During my U.S. Coast Guard career, I took part in many maritime law enforcement operations, predominantly anti-smuggling ops along the U.S.-Mexico maritime border. At one point, a drug cartel placed a bounty on the heads of anyone involved in federal counter-drug operations. It was later rescinded, we were told, but I haven't been to Mexico since, even though I live in San Diego on the border.

When I was a journalist, there were several incidents when I was threatened and even spied on. At one point, when I was an investigative reporter, we had reason to believe my office and my home were bugged. The local police came in and did a sweep, but found nothing. They gave us the name of a local PI firm that specialized in detecting listening devices, and I spent several nights with them staking out my office to see if anyone was secretly entering the building. Nothing definitive was ever found, but it was definitely a learning experience.

All of this, of course, is grist for the mill when it comes to my writing. You can particularly see its influence in my Peter Brandt thrillers, Empty Places and The Last Refuge.

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