Richard North Pattersonโs eleven novels include seven consecutive international bestsellers; critics compared his most recent novel, Protect and Defend, to such novels as Allen Druryโs Advise and Consent and Gore Vidalโs Lincoln. Formerly a trial lawyer, Mr. Patterson served as the SECโs liaison to the Watergate Special Prosecutor, and is now on the boards of several Washington-based advocacy groups dealing with gun violence, political reform, and reproductive rights. He lives with his wife, Laurie, and their family on Marthaโs Vineyard.