What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Murder in the Alps?
I wanted to take my sleuth, a lady detective in the 1920s, out of her usual world of London and stately homes in the English countryside. Between the wars, there were several popular destinations for the posh set and one of those was St. Moritz. I love the mountains and, at the time I started writing Murder in the Alps, I was spending a month in the Rocky Mountains. It was the perfect place to inspire a mountain mystery.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I love reading classic mysteries. I’ve discovered some “forgotten” authors whose work I really enjoy like E.C.R. Lorac. The classic mysteries are similar to what I write, but I try to layer in a bit more about the characters and their backstories. Mysteries from the Golden Age tend to be heavy on the whodunit aspect and lighter on characterization.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
I just finished A Report of Murder by F.L. Everett, a WWII mystery. I’m currently reading The Mysterious Mr. Badman by W.F. Harvey, which was originally published in the 1930s about a mystery surrounding a rare book.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
I had a lot of fun creating a scene when my sleuth, Olive, sees the investigation’s “murder board,” a chalkboard with notes about the suspects and various other clues. The detective in charge of the case is very forward thinking for the time period, and they have a conversation about why a murder board is helpful. It’s a nod to all the modern-day crime shows that have a murder board. I liked the idea of a murder board so much that I created one for my readers so they can sleuth along with Olive.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I use dictation for my first draft. Once I have the transcription, I go in and edit like crazy because the dictation is very raw and needs a lot of work. Dictation lets me get my initial ideas down on paper, and then I dig in and polish it up.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
It will all work out in the end.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I suppose that would be the same as my words to live by: It will all work out in the end.
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