1892Rojas said:

To me it's clear he's a mystery writer out of a need to bring order into a chaotic world, this is what mysteries do and what attracts people to mysteries. We can assume then that this is what he interpreted his life with Martha to be; he was, in a way, rebelling backwards so to speak, almost like but a little more vicariously than his daughter. What is really intriguing, not to say inexplicable, is why Beckett is such a big fan of his; given her developed empathy for victims and her serious-as-a-heart-attack attitude. Given all that, she shouldn't be interested in living vicariously through his imagined world of crime. Or, if she were, his imaginary murders wouldn't be things that she finds in everyday life. It's not a super big deal but they need to iron out the logic on that a little bit. 

I remember the episode (Nanny McDead, I think) where he says he spent a lot of time at the public library since his mother worked and left him with the alcoholic nannies.  I kind of envision him  getting engrossed in books and reading, then as a natural reaction to all he read, wanting to write on his own.  Or rewrite what he was reading into something he liked more.  He seems pretty imaginative and reading books truly does feed the imagination.  Once the imagination takes off, his writing soon followed.  

Regarding why Beckett likes his books, I'd guess two reasons: 1)In the Derek Storm novels, until Storm Falls, they all  had a happy ending, the bad guys got caught, justice is served and all is good with the world, probably quite unlike what she sees in her job and obviously experienced in her life.  2) She's fascinated by the minds of the criminal and wants to see what motivates criminals, so a little research for her job.   That's just my speculation.

Geez Deb,

It's so good to learn that I'm not the only person plagued by plot bunnies!  Granted, my plot bunnies usually sport fangs and are of a Vampiric nature, but they still manage to find joy in the carnal world of mankind.   They can always find trouble in the form of a woman.   ( For anyone who wonders what I mean, I tend to write in the form of the Harlequin 'Blaze' style books.  And yes, I have a desire to publish someday.)  I blog with a bunch of Harlequin authors and I take my inspiration form them. They are truly a group of wonderful women with incredible minds!  I have the desire to be just like them when I grow up… LOL…(read this as when I'm 80) as I am still a child at 41.  "you can make my body age, BUT I REFUSE TO GROW UP!" And that I feel, is the mantra of Richard Castle.  That being said lazer tag anyone?