Lori Roy was born and raised in the Midwest and graduated from Kansas State University. Before beginning her career as a writer, she worked as a tax accountant. Her debut novel, Bent Road, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was named a New York Times Notable Crime Book. Her second novel, Until She Comes Home, was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Novel and a New York Times Editors' Choice. Let Me Die in His Footsteps (Dutton, June 2, 2015) is set in the hills of Kentucky and is loosely inspired by the last lawful public hanging in the United States.
On your nightstand now:
My to-be-read books are actually stacked up near the hammock on our deck. I'm in the middle of reading Toni Morrison's God Help the Child, and because it's research for the book I'm currently writing, I'm also reading A Land Remembered by Patrick D. Smith.
Favorite book when you were a child:
I loved nonfiction as a child, particularly biographies. I also remember loving all the Beverly Cleary books and, as I got a little older, I began reading Stephen King. But my first favorite book, and the one I read again and again, was The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.
Your top five authors:
I'm loving Southern fiction these days, and I'm sure that has influenced this particular version of my favorites. John Steinbeck is always on my list. I would also add Flannery O'Connor, Toni Morrison, Pat Conroy and Zora Neale Hurston.
Book you've faked reading:
I didn't necessarily fake reading this book, but it took many tries before I finally made my way through it: The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner. He had intended this book be color-coded, and I understand such a version has now been published. [Editor's note: true!]
Book you're an evangelist for:
Whenever I'm asked who I like reading, I always include the books by Mary Lawson. She wrote Crow Lake, The Other Side of the Bridge and Road Ends.
Book you've bought for the cover:
The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips.
Book that changed your life:
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I read it again and again.
Favorite line from a book:
It's actually a few lines, and it comes from East of Eden. This short passage also explains, at least in part, why I chose this as the book that changed my life.
"An unbelieved truth can hurt a man much more than a lie. It takes great courage to back truth unacceptable to our times. There's a punishment for it, and it's usually crucifixion."
Which character you most relate to:
This is a tough one, but I would have to say Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
Book you most want to read again for the first time:
There are a few, but I'll go with The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy. I love to sink into that beautiful language.