Interview with Dahlia Donovan, Author of Poisoned Primrose

What can you tell us about your new release, Poisoned Primrose?

Poisoned Primrose is book one in a cozy mystery series set in a small village in Cornwall. Pineapple ‘Motts’ Mottley is the main character. She’s autistic, asexual, and teetering on the edge of menopause. She also has a knack for stumbling upon dead bodies like the one buried in her garden.

It’s a playful romp of a mystery with cats, turtles, and loads of quirky characters.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve always wanted to be an author. I wrote my first story at nine. I’m not sure I can pinpoint a specific person who inspired me, but I’ve loved books and reading since I learned to read at three years old. I devoured books as a child. This might be a cop-out, but my answer to this is ever-changing. If you asked me at eighteen, I would’ve said the Anne of Green Gables series. In my thirties, Jane Austen’s novels would’ve filled every single spot on a top-five list.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

This might be a cop-out, but my answer to this is ever-changing. If you asked me at eighteen, I would’ve said the Anne of Green Gables series. In my thirties, Jane Austen’s novels would’ve filled every single spot on a top-five list.

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask

– Finding Joy by Adriana Herrera
– Knit One, Girl Two by Shira Glassman
– The entire Miss Fisher series by Kerry Greenwood (I read all of it during this quarantine.)
– Thicker than Water by Becca Seymour
– Can’t Escape Love by Alyssa Cole

An honorable mention to A Match Made for Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau and Louisa Master’s Joy Universe series.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

Alive or dead? I think I’d be far too socially awkward to successfully interview anyone. I would love to have had a chance to sit with Jane Austen and chat with her. Her mastery of wit and looking at the negative aspects of humanity with a glint of humor are brilliant.

What is a typical day like for you?

Boring. Wake up, walk the dog, write, play video games, sleep. My days tend to be quite routine and boring.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

The writing. Everything else can be a struggle for me in various ways, joys of being an autistic author. But the writing part, it’s where I feel free.

What scene from Poisoned Primrose was your favorite to write?

I loved every moment of writing Poisoned Primrose. Motts is a character I highly identify with so all of it was a joy. If I had to pick a favourite, it’s the climax of the book. The moment all of the threads come together. I had such fun with that.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

The closest thing to a philosophy I have is never giving up. And I always believe things will get better….eventually.

Dahlia Donovan is the author of the new book Poisoned Primrose.

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