“I thoroughly disapprove of duels. I consider them unwise and I know they are dangerous. Also, sinful. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet retired spot and kill him.” — Autobiography of Mark Twain

It’s amazing how many of these type characters keep showing up in my work. The scariest things are not always the insane ax wielding, hockey mask wearing, lunatic. What scares me more is the kind elderly old lady who slips arsenic into your wine (yes, I’m talking about Arsenic and Old Lace). Or the Ted Bundy’s of the world, who neighbors claimed was a wonderful man, always willing to lend a hand. And then take it from you, literally.

Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for the Jason Vorehees of the world, in literature and film. But beware the man with the wide smile, the helping hand and the knife hidden up his sleeve.