I thought about male victims, both in this book and as the topic of another novel. The excitement of doing it-and of getting away with it-all links back to the original murder. Both were women, and what happened in those murders is the feeling continually try to re-create.

The first was unplanned the second, a result of the first. Why do Millicent and her husband find murder so sexy? And while some targets are chosen for specific purposes, why does the couple consider only female victims, even when fantasizing? I believe someone like Millicent can be born, not made. People do wonderful things and horrible things, often for what seems like no reason. People are born with a variety of personalities, looks and brain chemistries. Do you think she, and people like her, are born that way, i.e., it's nature over nurture?Ībsolutely. Millicent is strikingly unapologetic she has no tragic explanation for her behavior. Jenna, their daughter, is a strong girl, trying to figure out how to protect herself in a chaotic situation. For Millicent's husband, I think the part of him I identify with is his ability to draw a line. Which parts of which characters from My Lovely Wife do you identify with most? Writers sometimes say all their characters contain parts of them. One of my friends said, 'It must be terrible to be inside your head.' I'm disturbed enough to make people say things like that. I made the mistake of wondering out loud if someone was being held captive inside of it, and said if we stared at it long enough, I bet we'd see someone's hand pressed up against the window or something. We saw an old motor home sitting in front of a nearby house. Not long ago, I went on vacation with some friends. Great question! The best way I know to answer is with a story. You and your agent, Barbara Poelle, clicked during your first conversation because you told her you were sick and disturbed. Samantha Downing talks about her first published novel, My Lovely Wife, a domestic thriller

Samantha downing new book