Richard North PattersonтАЩs eleven novels include seven consecutive international bestsellers; critics compared his most recent novel, Protect and Defend, to such novels as Allen DruryтАЩs Advise and Consent and Gore VidalтАЩs Lincoln. Formerly a trial lawyer, Mr. Patterson served as the SECтАЩs 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 MarthaтАЩs Vineyard.