Last week, we celebrated the release of a new novel at my annual book launch at my nearest local bookstore. This is always a highlight of my publishing year, thanks to the many friends and readers who show up to celebrate with me. In case you couldn’t join us, here’s a summary of the event:
Describing the new book
I’m excited about The Bridge to Belle Island, a stand-alone romantic mystery. It’s about a young lawyer who is sent to investigate the death of an old friend. Evidence takes him to remote Belle Island, a place shrouded in mist and mystery. There he meets his primary suspect, Isabelle Wilder, a woman who claims she hasn’t left the island in ten years. When a second death brings her admirer, friends, and family under suspicion, secrets come to light, and her island sanctuary will never be the same.
The novel is a historical romance but definitely has elements of a classic murder mystery or “whodunit.” Two of my previous novels (The Tutor’s Daughter and The Secret of Pembrooke Park) had similar elements, but this is my most mysterious yet. It was a challenge to write, but I enjoyed the process.
The book’s setting
The novel is set on an island on the Thames River. Nearly a hundred islands dot the River Thames as it flows across England. I enjoyed researching several of these tiny, fascinating places with colorful histories and intriguing names like Eel Pie Island, Pharaoh’s Island, Monkey Island, Magna Carta island, and others. Some of these islands are uninhabited, others have fine homes on them. Some are reachable by bridge, others only by boat. Belle Island is a fictional place, but it resembles Ray Mill Island, which my husband and I’ve had the pleasure of visiting a few times. It is now a lovely public park so you can visit it yourself someday.
Not only is the setting somewhat unique, but the characters are as well
Isabelle’s fears keep her trapped on the island (becoming what we might today call agoraphobia) and Benjamin suffers from anxiety-related vertigo. I enjoyed writing about characters striving to overcome their fears, in a time when these kinds of issues were rather taboo, and I hope readers will find the characters relatable because of it.
As mentioned, writing a mystery was a challenge. I didn’t do it alone. I had lots of people to thank:
Writing friends Becky Wade, Katie Ganshert, Jody Hedlund, Courtney Walsh, and Karen Witemeyer who helped me brainstorm the novel early on.
My husband, who listened to many audiobook mysteries with me for inspiration while writing this book.
My first reader, Cari Weber, for her valuable input, my editors, Karen Schurrer and Raela Schoenherr, along with everyone else at Bethany House who reviewed, designed, proofread, and promoted this book.
Anna Paulson and Josie Kawlewski helped with research into Bow Street runners and legal procedures of the day. Anna also reviewed the manuscript and gave me valuable ideas, as did my writing friend, Michelle Griep. Attorney James Nagle reviewed the legal aspects for me. Thanks all!
What’s next from me?
I am returning to the setting of my 3-book series for my first ever Christmas novella called An Ivy Hill Christmas, which releases in September 2020. After that comes a stand-alone novel, which I am working on now, called A Castaway in Cornwall. Prayers appreciated!
Then it was time to solve a mystery!
To help readers get ready to play sleuth, I read a short story called The Mystery of the Missing Book and attendees had to guess “Whodunit.” Suspects included my editor, first reader, assistant, and husband. Maybe 1/3 of participants guessed the correct “culprit.” Correct answers were put into a drawing for prizes like gift cards, movies (Murder on the Orient Express and Death Comes to Pemberley), etc. People really seemed to enjoy it!
Gifts & Signing
After that, everyone received a small gift (a print of Julie Klassen’s England) and then it was time for the signing. If you would like a 6 x 9 print of this map as well, send your mailing address to me at julie@julieklassen.com (while supplies last).
Again, I so appreciated everyone who came. Would you have enjoyed such an event? If you are an author, what creative ideas have you used to make your book signings fun?
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I fondly remember our brainstorming session for this book! I loved the premise then and now. 🙂
p.s. The murder mystery game you designed for your event is GENIUS! What fun.
I would have loved such an event, which sounds like tons of fun! I enjoyed the photos and the description of The Bridge to Belle Island celebration. Thanks for sharing.
I would have loved to have attended! I love your writing, and the mystery game is right up my alley. Prayers for your upcoming projects…I cannot wait to read them!
Julie – It’s so exciting to see this book release. Brainstorming with you was so much fun. And I love your maps! Those are fabulous.
You mentioned Death Comes to Pemberly as one of your giveaways – Did that movie inspire your idea to write more of a mystery? I remember watching that show a year or so ago and really enjoying it.
Sounds like you had a great kick-off for the book! Can’t wait to read it!
Just sent my address for the print. Congratulations on a great signing!
Sounds like a fun party and an interesting book!
This event sounds fun to me.
What a great game idea!
Looks like everyone had a blast at your book launch! 🙂
I’m almost done reading the novel. Since I was in the UK in May, it’s a wonderful return “visit” to London and the countryside.
I’ve never been to a book signing. I happened to be at a bookstore where Sue Grafton was signing books years ago. This was back in the day where the only thing I read were mysteries and I LOVED her alphabet series. But my dislike of crowds kept me from entering the long line of people waiting to meet her.
Your book signing sounds like one I would actually love to attend. A Mystery to solve would be great fun. Murder on the Orient Express with Albert Finney as Poirot is one of our all-time favorite movies. I can’t even guess how many times we’ve watched it.
I look forward to reading The Bridge to Belle Island. It’s on my TBR list for sure!