In many ways, Paula Murphy's life-story parallels that of her protagonist Phyllis Ludwigsohn. Born in Montreal Quebec, she was brought along with her family when her father, an aerospace engineer, moved to Southern California. Educated at California State University at Long Beach where she played field hockey for the college. A resident of Santa Monica today, she's had multiple careers--though none as a detective--and fewer relationships than her protagonist. She worries about who will take care of her parrots when she dies.