I thought I’d keep up with the yearly tradition and post what actually scares a criminologist and crime fiction author. Some things stay the same, but I’m always adding new ones to the list.

So just in case you were wondering…

1. People text messaging and surfing the Internet when they drive.
2. Cleaning the cat litter box twice a day.
3. Men who wear socks with sandals sporting a man bun.
4. People referred to with three first names.
5. The growing hate among communities that is dividing us.
6. Gas station restrooms.
7. The rapid growth of hypocrisy among the general population.
8. Heat waves.
9. Sink holes.
10. Actually knowing the words to most 80s songs.
11. Political debates on any side–there’s no debate anymore.
12. Hearing a strange sound and thinking it was only my imagination.
13. Feeling completely comfortable and relaxed studying serial killers and crime scenes for hours.
14. Not being able to buy new shoes.
15. The facial expressions of news reporters when things don’t go their way.
16. Enjoying television reruns including reality shows and cooking shows.
17. Knowing when the phone is about to ring.
18. Thinking that real superheroes are actually forensic scientists and cold case detectives.
19. Relating to Sigourney Weaver’s character “Helen Hudson” in the 1995 movie Copycat.
20. Knowing that there are such things as bedbugs.
21. The incessant ticking of the clock.
22. People who don’t like black dogs or black cats.
23. The increasing number of endangered species.
24. People without a sense of humor—but think they do.
25. Predatory people looking for child victims.
26. Fast food French fries having the same shelf life as a Twinkie.
27. Having to find a scarier book to read or a scarier movie to watch than the last.
28. Feeling comfortable in my own shoes.
29. Not knowing what’s around every corner.
30. Making this scary list.
31. And finally… the most scariest thing of all… not being able to write every day.

Please feel free to comment on what scares you?

Have a safe and happy Halloween!