The special events room at Sal e Pepe Contemporary Italian Bistro was filled to capacity one recent evening, when “A Night of Suspense” gave local readers the opportunity to meet and hear from a New York Times best-selling author.

Joy Hoffman organized the event featuring half of the popular sibling writing duo known as Liv Constantine. Sisters Lynne Constantine of Connecticut and Valerie Constantine of Maryland had both hoped to participate July 22, but challenges with a fickle internet connection unfortunately prevented Valerie — who was in Santa Fe — from connecting with the group.

The 30-plus guests appeared to enjoy the event nonetheless. With servers, and even restaurant owner Angelo Marini, balancing loaded plates and weaving skillfully between tables and chairs, the attendees began the evening with appetizers and drinks.

Once most were settled, Hoffman and Constantine began answering questions that were submitted by attendees.

Hoffman offered an overview of Constantine’s work, including a note that the internationally best-selling authors are currently celebrating a brand-new release. The Stranger in The Mirror was published just two weeks earlier.

The first question was actually directed at Constantine’s husband, Rick Openshaw. Hoffman asked how he sleeps at night, knowing what his wife and sister-in-law devote their time to researching and then writing about.

Openshaw smiled and said, “Very well, thank you.” His response drew laughter and some applause from many in the room.

As the Q&A continued, Constantine responded to each question, often gesturing with her hands and smiling very animatedly. She discussed how she and Valerie write “together, but apart,” the writing strengths each brings to their books, and how their writing has evolved with each release.

Focusing on the new release for a few minutes, Constantine told her guests that she and her sister wanted to make The Stranger in the Mirror “not the typical amnesia story.”

Questions also included whether or not the book is based on a true story, and whether any of its characters were based on friends, family, etc.

Copies of Lynne Constantine titles were available for attendees to purchase, and the evening’s special guest signed multiple copies for her happy fans.

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Associate Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.