Jessica Savitch

I have had a lifelong phobia of snakes.

When for so long you can't get a job for reasons that seem specious, you you finally do have it, you are constantly afraid of losing it.

Being a novelty had its advantages.

Most detective story readers are an educated audience and know there are only a certain number of plots. The interest lies in what the writer does with them.

The most dazzling aspect of 'Possession' is Ms. Byatt's canny invention of letters, poems and diaries from the 19th century.