Q&A With Jenifer Ruff  

USA Today Bestselling Author, Jenifer Ruff has written over seventeen mystery thriller suspense novels with twisty plots that keep you on your toes and have excellent character development. Jenifer’s series are The Brooke Walton Series, The FBI & CDC Thriller Series and The Victoria Heslin Series. I’m so happy about doing this Q&A with Jenifer! 

Q: Jenifer, would you give a brief description of each of your series starting with your current one, The Victoria Heslin?

A: All three series are dark and twisty, but clean (no sex, no swears.)

The Agent Victor Thriller Series.

The Numbers Killer, Pretty Little Girls, When They Find Us, Ripple of Doubt, The Groom Went Missing, Vanished on Vacation, The Atonement Murders, The Ones They Buried, The Bad Neighbor

Victoria is an introverted special agent with the FBI. She is also an heiress, which allows her to pursue her passion of rescuing animals. She is smart, determined, selfless, and courageous. Victoria’s investigations include tracking serial killers, spree killers, and several missing person cases. She survived a plane crash and its harrowing aftermath, an incident that made global headlines as rescuers struggled to find the missing jet.

 The Brooke Walton Series – Everett, Rothaker, The Intern 

This dark psychological thriller series features Brooke Walton, an Ivy League psychopath, on her journey through college and medical school. Brooke is the most determined woman ever. She won’t let anyone, or anything, stand in the way of her goals. Her stories give you a chilling look inside her mind.  Brooke is my favorite creation. Readers either love her, want to see her locked up for life, or can’t quite decide. 

 The FBI & CDC Series

Only Wrong Once, Only One Cure, and Only One Wave: The Tsunami Effect

This series features infectious disease expert Dr. Madeline Hamilton and FBI Anti-Terror Agent Quinn Traynor. They’ve dedicated their lives to preventing epidemics and terrorism. I’ve placed them in terrifying situations, forcing them to risk their own lives again and again to protect the rest of us.

Q: Where do your ideas come from for your stories & characters?

A: Reading has played an enormous role in my life since I was a child. I attribute my active imagination to all the books I’ve read and continue to read. Ideas for my FBI & CDC medical thriller series also come straight from my background in public health and epidemiology, which is the study of disease.

Q: How long does it take for you to write a book?

A: Five months to write it, and another two for editing and polishing. I’m usually working on the editing and launch plan of one book while I’m halfway into writing the next. 

Q: I love reading mystery books just like you enjoy writing them. Out of all the genres to write in, what made you want to write mysteries?

A: Mystery-thrillers are my favorite genre, whether it’s books or television or movies. I love tense suspense where I’m compelled to look away or put the book down because I’m so nervous about what might happen next, but I can’t because I’m too intrigued and invested. I love determined, smart investigators placed in dire situations, who are courageous despite their fears. It’s so much fun trying to figure out who-done-it and why.

Q: Are you currently writing another book in The Victoria Heslin Series, the beginning of a new series or a standalone novel?

A: The Bad Neighbor, book 9 in my Victoria series, comes out October 1^st. It’s a domestic thriller and my hook line is Mountain Meadows, where domestic dreams turn into nightmares. 

I’m currently working on a standalone psychological thriller called The Last Seat on the Train. When I finish that, I think another Victoria novel will be next. I’ve spent so much time from Victoria’s point of view over the past five years, it will feel a little like coming home.

Q: How does it feel knowing that your books are on the USA Today Bestsellers List? It sounds like an honor and a dream come true! What are the requirements for a book to be on the USA Today Bestsellers List?

A:  I really appreciate having the bestseller title on my book covers. I think it just adds a little oomph! The list counts US sales each week, and pre-order sales for new releases. The requirements vary, but sales must be across multiple bookseller distributors. For example, if a book is only available on Amazon, even if it’s the top selling book there, it won’t hit the list.

Q: If Hollywood were to get the rights to The Victoria Heslin Series & your other series (if they haven’t already) who would be your dream cast to play Victoria Heslin and your other characters you created? The entertainment industry needs more original content again. 

A: I would love to see the Victoria series on film!  My dream cast might include a sporty version of Blake Lively with a ponytail and minimal makeup as Victoria. For Agent Dante Rivera, I picture a handsome Latino, a younger version of Benjamin Bratt.

All my books and audiobooks are available on Amazon or through my website Jenruff.com. Print and audiobooks can also be ordered from any major retailer. If my books aren’t in your local library, you can always request them. Libraries are usually very accommodating to requests.

Thank you for interviewing me for your blog. I’m always very grateful for anyone who reads my books and spreads the word about them!