Interview with Stephanie Kreml, Author of Truth Unveiled

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Truth Unveiled?

I’ve always loved a good mystery or thriller, especially those with a stunning twist. And I wanted to bring to light the struggles of everyday physicians. In the way that John Grisham shows a different side of the legal profession, I aim to show a different side of medicine, where doctors are the underdogs.

It may be hard to believe, but I originally intended to write a cozy mystery. However, as the story unfolded on the page, I couldn’t avoid more serious issues with overlying themes around the aggression women face.

Of course, I relished creating the reveals in Truth Unveiled and planting the seeds along the way to ensure a satisfying read. I hope to continue growing as a writer so I can keep providing readers the savory endings found in the books I enjoy.

If you woke up in the world of Truth Unveiled, what is the first thing you would do?

The world of Truth Unveiled is the world we already live in, and Samantha Jenkins is the version of me who has the courage to dig deeper and affect the injustices she sees. As the series progresses, Sam will ask the questions we all have, and in seeking out those answers, she will put herself in harm’s way. She will learn that motivations are not always as they seem and that her perceptions of the people and the institutions she’s trusted may be distorted. It’s going to be a fun ride, and Sam has the skills and the verve to make an impact.  

If you had to write a blurb for the last book you read, what would it say?

I thoroughly enjoyed Michael Connelly’s Fair Warning, and I strive to achieve his level of craft someday. So here’s my blurb:

When investigative journalist Jack McAvoy is accused of murder, he discovers that genetic information collected by an ancestry website allows a serial killer to take advantage of weaknesses unknown to his victims. Michael Connelly brilliantly weaves the promise of genetic technology with the darkest of human nature in this fast-paced thriller.

Where did you write Truth Unveiled?

I wrote Truth Unveiled a spare bedroom we turned into an office during the pandemic. My desk faces a window overlooking our backyard, allowing me to reconnect with the nature surrounding our home. While I write, I catch glimpses of wildlife, including rabbits and foxes, cardinals, and eagles. And the most precious thing I’ve witnessed was a doe with her twin fawns, frolicking and chasing each other across our yard on a spring morning.

Pretend you qualified for the Olympics this year. What sport would you compete in?

I’m definitely not an athlete—I was one of the kids who participated in math and science contests rather than sports competitions. But I do remember watching Mary Lou Retton during the 1984 Olympics and trying to perform my own floor exercise in my grandmother’s living room.

This year, I applaud Simone Biles for her courage to put herself first, knowing that if she had continued in the gymnastics competition when she wasn’t ready, she could have suffered a devastating injury. But it was also a selfless act, allowing other team members to rise to the occasion and continue the US dominance in the sport. I’m amazed by these women, and I’m thankful that the environment is changing so that women—and really anyone—can put their mental health first.

Stephanie Kreml is the author of the new book Truth Unveiled

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