With my splendid son Andy–Tanglewood, 2015. That’s either a light over his head or a halo. IMO, could be either

Yikes! 1944! Me and my mom.

1944. My uncle Herb was a bomber pilot during World War II. After I was born in '43, he named his plane for me. All through my childhood, he was my hero.

Me, 3-ish in brown velvet dress made by Grandma Rosie Isaacs--who also crocheted the lace on the collar

Late 1940s. Cruising Brooklyn, riding pillion with my neighbor Danny Caffrey.

I956. I was 12 or 13 and we had moved to Cincinnati. Coming from Brooklyn, it seemed very Dick and Jane-ish, where Jane had a blonde pageboy (this was the Eisenhower era.) and chirpy style. I was trying to look carefree, or maybe actually was, though that’s not how I recall early adolescence.

Me in graduation gear, Forest Hills High School,' 61, cap blessedly covering a strange hairstyle I got at local salon.

Looking pensive in 1968. My husband still has that picture on his dresser.

1993 – fun booksellers convention, fun book to write and promote.

At the HarperCollins booth at a big book convention. I’m not sure what novel I was there for, or what year it was. The upside of these events is meeting other authors and going home with tote bags filled with books.

With my much-loved longtime editor, Larry Ashmead. Twenty years together, and he made it a delight.

1985 – wonderful having family and friends see the film all together, and in a screening room no less!

With Andy, my firstborn, with his focused, corporate lawyer look. One of the world's loveliest babies who became one of the world's loveliest men.

1990’s. In Virgin Gorda opening a Christmas present from friends Carrie Nye and Dick Cavett. Too Extravagant: a Faberge egg and a Prada bag.

1990s. Probably. Writers at play (and in a play) for a Mystery Weekend at Mohank Mountain House. Besides me with black plumage growing out of my head is Justin Scott, Peter Straub, Susan Straub. In BG with shades, could be Don Westlake. Always a grand time!

2000’s, pre-pandemic. At the Edgar awards with writer friends Judith Kelman and Harlan Coban.

With my dog Lulu. I used her name as a stand-in in the Corie Geller mysteries thinking that I'd come up with something else. No, Corie deserved a Lulu.

2016 - With my wonderful daughter, Elizabeth.

Bobby Rivers, film guru and all-around culture maven, and me. Seems like just a few years ago.

Signing a book for Hilma Wolitzer, one of my favorite authors. What a thrill!

Waaay back, when Real Time with Bill Maher was called Politically Incorrect and aired on Comedy Central. Left to right, me, Gary Busey, Bill Maher, Ralph Nader, and actor who represented right-wing POV and whose name alas, I can’t recall.

With Elkan and our kids at A surprise party for the publication of my first novel, Compromising Positions. 1978!

My beloved editor, Larry Ashmead. He was a joy to work with and to know. His picture is on my desk, my way of getting to say hello to him every day.

At a precinct in Queens, the set of Elkan Abramowitz‘s (a.k.a. my husband) great scene in Compromising Positions. One line, when he gets to introduce Susan Sarandon to Raul Julia.”A visitor for you, Lieutenant.“

My BFF, the artist Susan Zises, made this portrait of me for my ??? birthday. (Not being coy about age. Just can’t remember which big birthday was.)