Let's make this birthday one to remember.

69 years old (Born on October 30, 1955)

Happy Birthday, Elaine! May your day be filled with more suspense than *The Perfect Shot*, more intrigue than *Ghost Soldier*, and fewer plot twists than poor Cameron faced in *Counterfeit Son*. Your stories have kept readers on the edge of their seats—though we're still recovering from that Edgar Award-winning shocker!

Here's hoping this year brings you as much joy and excitement as you've given countless young readers. Keep crafting those unforgettable characters and thrilling adventures; after all, birthdays are just another chapter waiting to unfold. Cheers to you, Elaine—may your next bestseller involve cake, laughter, and zero counterfeit candles!