Into the Cold

J.T. Ellison discusses her fourth Taylor Jackson mystery and how much she loves riding shotgun with Nashville's homicide police

by Lyda Phillips

Though she began her career working as a staffer in the White House, J.T. Ellison now lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and writes full time. Her novels—All the Pretty Girls, 14, and Judas Kiss—have earned her a reputation as a popular and prolific mystery novelist. "Fusing gritty cop drama with dark psychological thriller, Ellison distinguishes herself with exceptional character development, consistently breakneck pacing and a sense of authenticity," the Chicago Tribune says.

Ellison's fourth mystery novel The Cold Room once again features Nashville homicide detective Taylor Jackson. This time around, Jackson's investigation takes her into the twisted horrors of necrophilia and then through a macabre chase involving reenactments of famous paintings both here and in Europe. Ellison talks with Chapter 16 about Nashville, her writing, and the delights of research, which in her case includes some quality time with Nashville's boys in blue.

Read the full interview here.