Q&A with Hank Phillippi Ryan, Author of Mother Daughter Sister Stranger

Mother Daughter Sister Stranger explores what if your own family history turns out to be a terrifying lie? Every family has its story, and this one’s deadly. Two sisters. One secret. And a race against time to find the explosive truth in this twisty and captivating thriller.

Let’s get to know Hank as she talks favorite novels, story inspirations, her TBR and more!

What are some of your favorite novels?

Oh, that is so difficult! My favorite novels of all time? A magical realism called Winters Tale by Mark Helprin, about love and time and journalism and truth and passion. It is spectacular, and I reread it all the time. Edith Wharton‘s Custom of the Country, about a young woman in the early 1900’s who thinks that the world is unfair to women. It is brilliantly written, so insightful and incredibly shockingly timeless.

Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister, sort of time travel, but not really, but how can there be a thriller that makes you cry? I’m leaving out a billion books. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Gaudy Night. The Day of the Jackal. I could go on…

When did you know you wanted to become an author?

That is such a great question. I grew up in really rural Indiana, and my sister and I used to ride our ponies to the library where we would filll up our saddlebags with books. I always read mysteries, Sherlock Holmes, and Nancy Drew, and then all the Agatha Christie’s and the Golden Age authors. Back then it briefly crossed my mind to be a mystery writer, but then I decided I’d rather be a detective. Being Nancy Drew instead of writing about Nancy Drew, right? It wasn’t until many, many years later that I had my first idea for a mystery novel, but I do think it had been percolating in my psyche since I was a little girl.

What do you like best about writing thrillers?

I love those days when I get a good idea. I don’t outline, so everything is always a surprise! I just start out with a premise or a possibility, type the words “Chapter 1,” and go from there. But there’s a time when the story begins to shape, and almost have a life of its own. Those are the moments I treasure. You can’t make them happen, you know? It’s just inspiration or luck or timing, I’m not sure. But it means the story is going to work. And I love the way  thrillers dance with readers—the author always has to stay two steps ahead.

What inspires your stories? 

Empowerment. Justice. Our responsibility to other human beings. How our childhoods can dictate our decisions. If you think of what is the Hank DNA, my novels are about a smart woman who has the rug pulled out from under her—and she has to get her power back. And in the end, I want readers to think, “Yes, hooray! You did it, sister. That’s exactly what should’ve happened!”

What was your favorite chapter or part to write for Mother Daughter Sister Stranger?

Well, I can’t tell you that! And I certainly can’t explain it any further, except to say it has to do with the moment that Eliza discovers something in a closet. There is also one particular scene with a child’s stuffed animal. But again. I cannot tell you without giving the book away! I cannot wait to hear what you think.

What are you currently reading and what is on your TBR (to be read) list?

I am in such a wonderful spot with this! I have Lisa Scottoline’s new book, automatically at the top of my list, and Yasmin Angoe’s newest. Chris Bohjalian’s The Amateur. I’m also a judge in a contest, so I have a stack of gorgeous debuts in front of me, but that means I cannot reveal the fabulous ones yet. But wow, you are all in for such a treat! And oh, do not miss Tess Gerritsen’s upcoming The Shadow Friends, and Lisa Gardner’s You’ll Be Sorry. I will always buy anything they write!