Usually my last blog post of each month is a conversation with a fellow author, often about their new book. But this month, as I’ve just launched my latest cosy mystery novel, The Importance of Being Murdered, I’ll be talking to myself!
So, here’s a quick Q&A to whet you appetite for my new story.
Keep reading through to the end, you’ll find not only a buying link to The Importance of Being Murdered, but also a link to a FREE prequel short story that sets the scene, Overture and Beginnners.
Q: What inspired you to write The Importance of Being Murdered?
A: I was asked by Hawkesbury Drama Group, based in my village, to write them a murder mystery evening in which the audience is invited to solve the mystery. I’ve seen many productions by our village drama group over the years. They’re always hilarious, and I’m friends with many of the cast, so I couldn’t resist.
I loved drama as a child (at one point I went to the Saturday morning drama club at the famous Rose Bruford College, which was literally at the end of the lane I grew up in), and I’ve also done a bit of amateur dramatics and operatics, so it was familiar territory.
Also, I relished the challenge of writing a play, which requires a different structure and skillset to fiction.
However, once I’d written the play, and seen the Hawkesbury Drama Group’s brilliant performances of it, with each actor fleshing out my characters in their own way, I was itching to expand the play into the format of a novel.
Q: You usually write novels in series. Why did you suddenly decide to write a standalone?
A: This play started life as a one-off project, so it was only ever going to be a standalone story.
However, on the day of publication, one of the very first reviewers has also hinted that I should turn it into a series, as he enjoyed the characters and setting so much. I must admit I’m tempted! And – fun fact here – one of the characters from the play also has a starring role in my current work-in-progress, the fourth Cotswold Curiosity Shop mystery, Death at the Village Garden Party!
Meanwhile, the Hawkesbury Drama Group were so pleased with the script that they asked me to write another. The resulting play, Murder at the Office, set in a 1980s computer software company (complete with big mobile phones, big hair and big collars), is now in rehearsal, to be performed on 24th and 25th April at Hawkesbury Village Hall. See the group’s Facebook page for box office details.
Q: What’s the gist of the story in The Importance of Being Murdered?
A: I’ll let my publisher’s official blurb do the talking here.
ONE VILLAGE. TEN SUSPECTS. ONE DEADLY PERFORMANCE.
The curtain is about to rise on the Bunbury Players’ latest production, Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest.
But moments before the show starts, the leading man, retired star of stage and screen Bertram Manchester, is found dead in his dressing room.
As rumours spread throughout the Cotswold village community, Detective Constable Windermere seizes her chance to catch a killer and secure the promotion she craves.
The trouble is, every member of the cast has something to hide.
Will her front-row seat to murder enable DC Windermere to uncover the truth … or will she be the next person taking their last bow?
Q: The Importance of Being Murdered is a great title, and it sounds a bit familiar – where did that come from?
A: I do love a title that makes people smile! Having chosen The Importance of Being Earnest as the play-within-the-story, the novel’s title just jumped out at me. What more fitting title could there be? (with apologies to Oscar Wilde!)
Q: Why did you choose this particular play?
A: I needed to hang my story around a production of an out-of-copyright play that would be popular with amateur drama groups – small cast, relatively simple staging, opportunity to dress up in gorgeous costumes – and this one seemed the perfect fit.
It’s an evergreen, witty comedy of manners, set mostly in rural England. Much loved by millions of theatregoers in the 131 years since it was first performed, it features many of Wilde’s most famous aphorisms.
Q: Do readers need to know Oscar Wilde’s original play to enjoy your novel?
A: No, it will still make perfect sense for them. But readers who do know Wilde’s play will find a few extra chuckles via the in-jokes and Wildean references I’ve scattered along the way, not least a reference to Lady Bracknell’s famous horror at a certain handbag!
But if you haven’t ever seen the play, you’re missing a treat! Here are two great ways to experience The Importance of Being Earnest, one for a small fee and the other absolutely free:
- rent the National Theatre’s production to view at home via the National Theatre at Home app here
(view trailer for free here) - listen to a classic BBC Radio Drama production for free, starring John Gielgud and Edith Evans, whom many consider to be the definitive Lady Bracknell
Once you start listening/watching it, you’ll probably recognise some of the most famous lines, such as:
‘The truth is rarely pure and never simple”
“To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.”
“All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That is his.”
Q: Where can I buy a copy of The Importance of Being Murdered?
A: It’s available to order online here in ebook, paperback, hardback and audio, but if you prefer to buy from your local bookshop, just ask them to order it in for you.
Q: Where can I read the free prequel short story you mentioned at the start, Overture and Beginners?
A: It’s here! Just click this link to download your free copy now.
If after reading the prequel, you still need persuading to read The Importance of Being Murdered, these early reviews might tip the balance for you:
‘I think this may be my favourite cosy mystery ever.’
Netgalley Reviewer
‘The writing was light and entertaining. The whole book was full of humour which made me smile. ‘
Emily Pankhurst on Amazon
‘The internal thoughts were wonderful, and worked brilliantly. The author’s notes were fascinating and added extra insight into her inspiration and clever detailing.’
T Wood, via Netgalley
‘I really enjoyed the charming setting and classic whodunnit feel. ‘
Amy Barr on Amazon
‘The setting was definitely a highlight, giving all the comfort read with a dark twist energy.’
@the_blonde_chapter on Instagram
‘An excellent pastiche of amateur dramatics, with the theatrics not confined to the stage.’
@acozymoose on Instagram
This book had me laughing out loud a lot and I loved the humour. It’s a 5 
read for me, it was so entertaining, no dips in the storyline at all.’
@ukbook_reveiwer on Instagram
‘A fun read. The am dram group was a mix of characters, and during their rehearsals I felt as if I’d accidentally walked in on one. I didn’t see the reveal coming, but it was satisfying when the truth is explained.’
@avoidingrealitywithbooks on Instagram
‘From dramatic performers to gossip-loving villagers, everyone feels a little suspicious in that classic cozy mystery way. At some point, nearly everyone seems guilty, which makes the guessing game half the fun.
@bookscoffeebrews on Instagram
Q: What are you writing now?
A: The fourth Cotswold Curiosity Shop mystery, Death at the Village Garden Party. 45k words down, 15k words to go. Speaking of which, I’d better get back to my writing desk! Thank you for reading this post.
If you enjoy The Importance of Being Murdered, I’d be very grateful if you could kindly leave a short review online, to help other readers discover it – or just tell your friends!
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