Richard North Patterson is the author of several international bestselling novels including A Balance of Power, Conviction and Exile. Formerly a US trial lawyer, he is now a full-time writer and lives with his wife and family on Martha's Vineyard and in San Francisco.Richard North Patterson is the author of fourteen previous bestselling and critically acclaimed novels, including Conviction, Balance of Power and Exile. Formerly a trial lawyer, Patterson was the SEC's liaison to the Watergate special prosecutor and has served on the boards of several Washington advocacy groups. He lives in San Francisco and on Martha's Vineyard with his partner, Dr Nancy Clair.