Interview with Matilda Adler, Author of A Killer Opening

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write A Killer Opening?

I’ve always loved mysteries. My mother gave me an Agatha Christie as a Christmas stocking filler when I was nine, and of course, we sat on the sofa together every week watched Poirot and Miss Marple until we gave ourselves square eyes! Needless to say, I fell in love with mysteries. A couple of years ago I moved from my home in London to a Spanish island and – perhaps in subconscious homage to Christie’s Murder Under the Sun – a sun-soaked story of a reluctant but courageous amateur sleuth (Amelia Ferver) battling to solve a murder began to emerge in my mind.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of A Killer Opening, what would they be?

Mr Blue Sky by ELO for Leo, Legs by ZZ Top for Daisy, Perfect Day by Lou Reed for Amelia, and maybe Another One Bites the Dust for the story as a whole!

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I read all sorts of genres but my favourites are mystery and romance. I’m a sucker for a love story.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Maid by Nita Prose and Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The yoga scene (none of my characters were very flexible), closely followed by the scene where Amelia explains to Leo what happened to break them up in the past.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

My bedroom is lush. It is filled with little knick-knacks and keepsakes I love. I write on a chaise longue, with at least one dog cuddled up with me. Beside me is a table for my tea and a timer. The tea is self-explanatory; the timer is to make sure I get out and do something other than write sometimes!

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

In a world where you can be anything, be kind.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I hope readers will be thinking about Amelia’s transformation from severely anxious and clinging to her comfort-zone, to courageous amateur sleuth. I hope they’ll be excited to read what happens next in Amelia’s life.

Matilda Adler is the author of the new book A Killer Opening

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