Jessie: enjoying the salty breezes on the coast of Maine
As seems to be my habit, I am working away on a September 1 deadline. This year it’s for the second book in my new Beryl and Edwina mystery series. I am having a great deal of fun spending time with the two protagonists in this book. Every day when I sit down to my desk I am eager to get to work. It feels a bit like sitting alone in a restaurant eavesdropping on the fascinating conversation between the people at the next table.
The funny thing is, I’m not even sure where these two came from. They simply popped into my head and set up shop. They arrived full-blown with physical attributes, quirks in their personalities and partial back stories. I just love it when that happens.
The village where the series takes place evolved quickly too. Years of reading mystery set in England and a self-indulgent attitude towards Netflix binge watching have given me a good sense of which buildings ought to be there. The greengrocer, the church hall and the stationer come sweetshop are all present and correct. So are the winding lanes, rolling hills, and cottage gardens.
I have always loved mysteries set in England. It is such a delight to be writing one of my own. I’m thrilled to be sharing the cover with all of you today.
Readers, do you love books set in any particular foreign locations? Writers, is there a place you have always wanted to set a book?
I am so excited for this series, Jessie, and I love the cover. Can’t wait to read about their adventures!
Thanks, Edith! I love the cover too!
So looking forward to meeting Beryl and Edwina! I enjoy trying to find “clues” on the cover. Is the auto following the girls? Who is casting the mysterious shadow which interests the little dog? Intriguing!
Thanks, Carol! I love to do that too!
Love the cover! I enjoy mysteries set in England. Especially cozies set in villages. I guess it goes back to Miss Marple. 🙂 I’m looking forward to reading the book. P.S. Love the dog.
I love the Miss Marple books and stories too! And I really enjoyed adding Edwina’s dog Crumpet to the books. I am terribly alllergic to dogs in real life so adding them to fiction can be a lot of fun without all the sneezing.
I’m with you… love the English settings, particularly the Cotswolds.
There is something even in the word Cotswolds that conjures bucolic bliss, isn’t there! Where better than a place that seems so perfectly peaceful to set a murder! Agatha Raisin comes immediately to mind.
Yes! And always in a lovely garden. 🙂
Love the cover! and also love international intrigue generally—visiting some other place through fiction about it. Not sure I could pick one location that stands out!
International intrigue of all sorts is such a fun way to travel! I love English village settings but I also adore other parts of the U.K. and all across the Nordic countries.
What a great cover! And I can’t wait to read the first book! When does it hit the bookstore shelves?
Thanks, Sherry! Halloween is when it releases!
I LOVE the cover and I can’t wait to read this book!
Thanks so much, Barb!
Sounds like a fun series. I tend to be drawn to books set in America more than England, but I’ve enjoyed quite a few books set there, and your enthusiasm is contagious. Looking forward to this one. Great cover!
Thanks, Mark! I love books set all over the States too. All sorts of armchair traveling are wonderful!
I absolutely love the basis for this series. I am a fan of all the old cozies and movies made from them. Congratulations!
Thank, Doris! I love these ladies and hope others will enjoy them as much as I do!
Great cover! I do like books set in small towns or villages, especially since they usually have an interesting cast of characters. I look forward to reading the series. When does the first book debut?
Small towns and villages do seem to be filled with quirky characters! I think they reflect real life in that way! The first book releases on Halloween!
I’ve never been to England, but ever since being introduced to Miss Marple (a zillion years ago), I have been in love with small English villages. Really looking forward to adding this series to my bookshelf. Love the cover!
Thanks, Ginny! Miss Marple has fostered a lot of fond feeligns, hasn’t she?
As much as I love old movies, it has to be Paris in the springtime!
Paris in springtime is such a classic! I have yet to travel there but hope to do so before too long!
I love mysteries set in little villages in Ireland, Scotland and England.
So do I, Annette! There are so many good ones!
They are wonderful. And the shops. A book on a grassy spot by the river. Perfect living.
A grassy spot near the river puts me in mind of The Wind in the Willows. Thanks for metioning it!
I LOVE books set in the UK. I read a lot of mysteries and contemporary fiction books set in England.
The contemporary ones are often wonderful too, wren’t they? I love Elly Griffiths particularly.
Love books set in other countries. Especially if they portray more than a little bit if their culture. The different terms used for common things. “What?” “Oh!” With a light chuckle, “You mean…” Or even the customs or little phrases
I love the cover and the way the cute little dog is pulling at the leash!
I’m wondering who is casting the shadow, male or female?