The Anatomy of a Deep Dive

Why my latest research rabbit hole ended in the emergency room (of my imagination).

"Falling" into a rabbit hole suggests a loss of control, but when it comes to research, I don’t stumble—I intentionally dive. For me, the meticulous hunt for information is one of the most electric parts of the writing process.

My most recent obsession? The intricate, high-stakes geography of the subclavian and axillary arteries. These vessels are the body's hidden highways, tucked away behind the collarbone and snaking through the shoulder. They're vital, fragile, and—from a crime thriller writer’s perspective—terrifyingly efficient.

Mapping these arteries opened a "what-if" Pandora’s box: the consequences of a single misplaced (or intentional) strike, the frantic race against time in a trauma ward, and the sheer, clinical wonder of what a human body can endure.

Oh, me. Oh, my—the things a little curiosity can do to a plot.

What’s your strangest search history?