My earliest memories from childhood are of reading.  Growing up as an only child, I found solace from the lonely times in books.  I believe, at one time, I owned every Nancy Drew book available, and read them all numerous times.  During those early years of my life, I became hooked into the world of mystery and suspense.  I began to write poetry and short stories in high school, although I rarely shared my musings except to a few select friends and one lovely English teacher.  It was a beautiful release for me to scribble down my thoughts in a journal, whether the words stemmed from joyous events or tragic ones.

As I grew, I discovered Stephen King, James Patterson, Robin Cook and John Grisham.  I fell in love with all of their works, especially those of Stephen King. The way that gifted man strings words together is nothing short of amazing.  By the time high school rolled around and I was introduced to classical literature, I was thoroughly addicted to the written word, especially thrillers that tugged at the heart strings.  

Out of all the great classical texts that deal with revenge, the one that became a part of me, and what inspired me to pen Accountable to None, was The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.  The physical and emotional pain suffered by Edmund Dantes left me an emotional wreck.  His calculated plans against all those that used him as a pawn in their life-altering game fascinated me.  Edmund's transformation from the meek, mild-mannered gentleman into a revenge-fueled creature is truly a dark glimpse into the ravaged remains of a ruined mind.

Revenge for injustices perpetrated upon us is a tightly interwoven thread of the human condition.  Responding to immoral acts in a violent manner has been a part of society since the beginning of time.  The only thing that has changed over the centuries is the means by which an avenger might seek to accomplish their redemptive plans.  

Accountable to None was written as an homage to Dumas' masterpiece.  Set in modern day Phoenix, Arizona, the book centers around the upper management of a large, successful accounting firm, Winscott & Associates.  I chose to set the scene at an accounting firm since, according  to the most incredible words ever put on paper, the Holy Bible, the love of money is the root of all evil. Corporate greed is showcased through the actions of those that run the company.  The heroine suffers unimaginable pain and vows to seek revenge, which she ultimately achieves after years of plotting and planning.

I wanted to take the entire revenge motif to the next level in the sequels, Zero Balance and Adjusting Journal Entry. Sometimes, we tend to cheer and root for the avenging underdog, especially when they finally achieve their long awaited revenge.  However, rarely are the after effects explored once the revenge is completed.  My hope is that after reading these novels, someone contemplating vengeful acts upon another will give pause and reflect on the unfathomably high price of revenge.