Anne Perry is the author of several bestselling mystery novels featuring famed protagonists Inspector William Monk and Special Services Detective Thomas Pitt. Buckingham Palace Gardens is her latest novel featuring Detective Pitt, who is called in to investigate the mystery behind a mutilated body found among the Queen’s monogrammed sheets in a Buckingham Palace linen closet the morning after a raucous party. Ms. Perry will be appearing at the Parkway Central Library’s Montgomery Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15. (This event is free--no tickets required.) She recently took a moment to chat with us about some of our favorite topics.

What role have libraries played in your life?

They make it possible to reach a large number of readers I could not otherwise, and that is extremely important. I have been made welcome at terrific library events. I don't borrow from them myself as we do not have a large public library anywhere near us. Occasionally my researcher goes to the local library to consult newspapers and magazines of the Victorian era.

What was your favorite childhood book?

Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll.

Who is your favorite fictional character?

That depends on which day you ask me! At the moment, Alex Delaware from Jonathan Kellerman’s crime stories--for his humanity and compassion.

Who are the three authors you think everyone should be required to read--which books would you start with?

Dante (begin with The Inferno) for his profundity and ease of reading (in translation!). Oscar Wilde, for his unsurpassed wit and compassion. His short stories are excellent--start with “The Happy Prince.” G.K. Chesterton for his sublime joy and use of the language--begin with his poetry or fantasies.

If you couldn’t write, what other job would you like to have?

I would like to direct films--it is another way of telling a story.