Ron and Janet: We work well together because we believe in outlining our novels. We create our stories slowly, building a plot outline and fleshing in the details as we go along. Think of a sculptor creating a statue. We shape the story, then spend as much time as necessary adding the pieces of clay to the model until the model is finished. We work in scenes, moving slowly through the story to the end. Janet will work on, let's say, scene one, and when she's done, she'll pass it on to Ron, who will refine it, polish it, add more details. When he's done, he'll pass it back to Janet, and she'll add more. We move through the book this way, passing the scenes back and forth. One unbreakable rule is to never write in a scene our partner is already working on. We can do this because we know where the story is going. Occasionally, we may need to change a scene or add a scene, but because we work this way, we can do it without damaging the manuscript.

VA: Little White Lies and The Second Mile are the introduction and second book of the Hunnechurch Mysteries. Do you see this series expanding to several more books?

Ron and Janet: Little White Lies is the first Pippa Hunnechurch mystery, and The Second Mile is our second book. We plan other books in this series, and hopefully, we'll be able to do them.

VA: What would you consider as the main message of Little White Lies?

Ron and Janet: Little White Lies is about lying. In this case, lying on a resume, which creates problems for the protagonist, headhunter Pippa Hunnechurch. The theme of lying runs throughout the book. We're dealing with those small sins that can grow bigger and bigger and, because this is a suspense, the lying eventually leads to murder.

VA: The Second Mile?

Ron and Janet: The theme for the Second Mile comes from John.. We could have called this book "Good Enough for Government Work". It's a story about what happens when people only do the job that is required of them, and don't go the extra step. This lack of care results in a suicide and a murder caused because people only did what was required of them and nothing more.

VA: Being the heart and soul of Pippa Hunnechurch, tell us about her inner-workings. How did you develop her? Was she "created" with someone in particular in mind?

Ron and Janet: Pippa comes to the United States following the accidental death of her husband and small child. She's running away, but she's also determined to create a new life for herself in her new environment. She opens her own business and gets off to a rocky start. Pippa is a headhunter and we chose this career carefully. A headhunter has a license to ask all sorts of questions, and examine the background of various individuals. Janet was a recruiter many years ago, and we used her experience to "create" Pippa Hunnechurch.

VA: Why a Christian Mystery?

Ron and Janet: We decided that the theme of our first novel -- the small lies you tell can have serious consequences -- would make a great Christian mystery.

VA: Is it difficult to keep a reader's attention, -maintain a suspenseful storyline without all the language and workings of the non-Christian world?

Ron and Janet: Not at all. A good story is always a good story. Besides, as Ron has said in recent interviews, Pippa Hunnechurch can do anything that Philip Marlowe or Sam Spade could do. The so-called "limitations" -- no bad language, no explicit sex, no gratuitous violence -- are really preferences of countless mystery readers.

VA: What sets Christian Suspense apart from non-Christian mysteries?

Ron and Janet: The faith, or lack of faith, of the characters are integral to the story. Most of the characters in the novel have a Christian world- view. It's a part of who they are.

VA: How often is your personal beliefs and lifestyle interwoven into your writing?

Ron and Janet: Mysteries are by definition stories of right and wrong. The murderer is always caught and justice is always done, which is what makes them such a satisfying read. Because we are Christians, our world view shows up in our stories. If we were anything else, then that would show up, too.

VA: What feeling would you like for the reader to come away with after reading your books?

Ron and Janet: We'd like our readers to be entertained. The Christian message inside these books is handled as just another problem the protagonist must face.

VA: Who's your favorite mystery writer? Why?

Ron and Janet: There isn't just one. Janet enjoys reading James Scott Bell and T. Davis Bunn. She also enjoy Michael Connelly, Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky, and the books of hundreds of mid-list authors who dot the cozy mystery scene. Ron especially enjoys the classics: Ross McDonald, Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammet.

VA: Can you give us a hint to what's in store for Pippa next?

Ron and Janet: The theme for our third book will be pride -- specifically the "harmless" kind of pride that all of us display.

VA: If you could send a message to your fans, what would it be?

Ron and Janet: We want our fans to enjoy a ripping good read. We hope that our each of our books help them spend enjoyable afternoons. We want them to come away satisfied that we have told a complete story, rich in characterization and in plot.

Executive Recruiter Pippa Hunnechurch has just landed what may be her biggest assignment: finding a lawyer to serve as chief counsel to a highly successful firm setting up business in Ryde, Maryland. Realizing she needs help, she seeks the assistance of Marsha Morgan, a renowned "headhunter." When Marsha produces the perfect candidate, Pippa feels she's made a wise alliance. That is until Marsha dies and her office is ransacked. When Marsha's sister, who is also a "headhunter," is killed, Pippa realizes that she has some of the information the killer is seeking. Then the killer's attention turns to Pippa. If it’s one thing Pippa needs, it's a miracle. Too bad a personal tragedy years earlier has destroyed her faith in God.

The Benreys have crafted a credible mystery, as well as what promises to be a tender love story, and the rediscovery of faith in the Lord. However, I found it difficult to bond with Pippa. Although fully aware that the killer had killed twice and was now after her, her repeated lies not only to the police, but also to those whose only motive was a desire to keep her safe, left me less than happy to meet her. Still, I found most of the supporting cast quite likable and I expect my opinion of Pippa might improve on further acquaintance.

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Mary Lynn is the author of Dear Cari.