The plot centers on a unique premise, could you explain it for our readers?

My inspiration for the plot was that I started wondering if a woman who was comatose could deliver a baby and not know it, once she was recovered. I asked an OB/GYN friend, who consulted colleagues. He learned this was possible, though rare. I researched it on line and found several instances of this, so I was off and running.

Of course, comas, natural or induced, are very serious things, so I had my heroine undergo a long rehab period and described that briefly as backstory.  But the book focuses on her astounding realization she might have bourn a now missing child--and, if so, where is that child? 

Your heroine goes through a lot--wakes from a coma, rehab, an unknown pregnancy.  Yet, this all pales in comparison to her chosen profession of a PI specializing in stolen children.

The fact that Tara Kinsale operates a P.I. agency that traces snatched kids made for great irony. Come hell of high mountains, that detective of the Finders/Keepers Agency is going to get her child back or die trying, which is almost what happens.

What made you chose that profession for Tara?

I first latched onto the idea from reading a stunning series of articles about people who try to retrieve children who are taken abroad, where they are even harder to trace. But, not wanting to leave the western mountain setting, I opted to stay with domestic abductions. It's a cruel world out there, especially for kids.

Tell us about the other research you did for The Hiding Place.

One other aspect of the book that I researched in a unique way was the training of tracker dogs. Two years ago, I was fortunate to meet Gloria Gilbert Stoga, who founded Puppies Behind Bars in New York. This great program promotes allowing honor prison inmates to rear Labrador Retrievers which are then trained to be aides to the visually impaired or bomb tracker dogs at embassies, stadiums, airports, etc. I was amazed to meet the dogs and their partners and see how they were so well trained to work together.  

When I needed a unique career for the hero in The Hiding Place, dog tracker trainer worked well.  By the way, more info about Puppies Behind Bars is on-line at www.puppiesbehindbars.com.  

As a former teacher, I always learn a lot from my research.  I hope, besides going on a thrill ride, readers learn a lot from my books.

If you're ready to learn more about The Hiding Place, it will be on sale in November from MIRA books.

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Karen Harper writes contemporary suspense for Mira Books and historical novels for Penguin/Putnam. Harper and her husband divide their time between Ohio and Florida. Her website is www.karenharperauthor.com   

As a pediatric ER doctor, CJ Lyons has lived the life she writes about in her cutting edge suspense novels.  Her debut, LIFELINES (Berkley, March 2008), became a national bestseller and Publishers Weekly proclaimed it a "breathtakingly fast-paced medical thriller."  The second in the series, WARNING SIGNS, is due out January, 2009.  Contact her at http://www.cjlyons.net