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Where do I get these horrible, gruesome ideas?
Bestselling thriller author speaks in Gray
By Jeanne Adams

Gray--So began Tess Gerritsen, the New York Times bestselling author, at Stimson Hall in Gray on Saturday, Aug. 6.

The Gray Public Library hosted the event. Ms. Gerritsen told the 40 audience members that her mother immigrated to this country from China as a college student and fell in love with American horror films. "I spent hours cowering in theater seats," Gerritsen laughed along with the audience. Although her books are often gruesome medical thrillers Gerritsen spoke for 45 minutes and she kept the mood light and the audience chuckling despite the often dark topics.

Gerritsen successfully authored nine published romance novels, but there was a hint of what was to come when her publisher told her she held the record for having 13 people die in a Harlequin Romance novel.

Right, Library Director Priscilla Payne, Gerritsen and Marie Morey. Payne praised Morey, who did much of the legwork to bring Gerritsen to Gray and Darcel DeVou who did publicity and the library display. Local businesses Gobeil's Furniture Store, Lady Slipper Flower Shop and Back to Country Design loaned or donated items used in displays and at the event.

She got an idea for a thriller one night over dinner with a former police officer who was working as a security person for businessmen traveling to Russia. Children were disappearing from the streets of Moscow and it was rumored that they were being kidnapped and sent to Saudi Arabia to be used for organ transplants. Ms. Gerritsen described getting the idea as an "emotional punch" to the gut and her first thriller, "Harvest" was born.

For another novel, she asked herself "What do I know about medicine that would allow me to write a better book about serial killers?" As a doctor, and to her mind, blood was the most personal thing. "Blood has lots of secrets," she said. After the talk, Carol Wood of Gray had her books signed by Gerritsen. "Do you know how many nights you keep me up all night?" she joked with Gerritsen. Wood is a tremendous fan of Gerritsen and also of the Gray Public Library. "Every time you go in there there's something new. It's fantastic.I've had this (event) on my calendar for months. The Library is a wonderful place." The Monument: Jeanne Adams photo

After several interesting and often amusing anecdotes, Gerritsen stated "No matter what I write, truth is still stranger than fiction. My job as an author is to chose the most dramatic path possible." Members of the audience asked several questions including how she ended up in Maine. While working as an MD in Honolulu her husband showed her an article about Camden in "Sailing" magazine. They traveled to Maine on vacation and she said that there's "something about it that feels like home." They've lived in the Rockport area for 15 years. She also said that Maine has more writers per capita than any other state because, "writers can choose where they work."

Another question was about the mechanics of her writing, "I've written everywhere including the kitchen table, but now I have an office in my home and I keep it quiet. I write about 4 pages a day - 1000 words. That allows me to complete one book a year." She is under contract to produce one book per year and since her writing year is interrupted by the book tour for her previous book so she must be disciplined in her writing.

Her favorite character? Maura Isles from the series starting with "The Surgeon." Ms. Gerritsen wishes she was more like Jane Rizzoli, "but I'm not that brave."

In her closing remarks she gave heartfelt praise to public libraries. Gerritsen's newest book Vanish is due out in two weeks. For more information, visit her website at www.tessgerritsen.com