How I Picked The Setting For My New Novel

My Publicist recently asked, “What inspired you to write a story set in Painswick, England, and how did you research this English village?” So I thought I would share my answers with you here as well.

My husband and I first visited Painswick (a Cotswolds village in Gloucestershire) a few years ago and were both charmed by the village and especially by its beautiful church (St. Mary’s) and churchyard. We made plans to return for a longer stay, which we did last summer. While there, we met members of Painswick’s Local History Society, who provided me with many editions of their excellent publication, the Painswick Chronicle, which aided me a great deal as I wrote the novel. They also kindly answered follow-up questions by email and reviewed the manuscript for me. I am grateful!

Thanks to their help, I have recently turned in a revised draft of a new romantic mystery called Whispers at Painswick Court, which is going through the editorial process now. It is scheduled to come out in December of this year, but is available for preorder now. I can’t wait for you to read it!

Are you drawn to smaller English towns and villages as I am? Or are you more drawn to cities like Bath and London? Do tell!

In the meantime, here is a brief description of the new novel:

Anne Loveday, a surgeon’s daughter, is determined to live a single, useful life. To escape her matchmaking stepmother, she accepts an invitation from an old friend to return to Painswick, the place she and her sister spent many happy summers until that last, fateful year. Soon after arriving, Anne is asked to serve as sick-room nurse to Lady Celia, who forbade her nephew to marry Anne’s sister years before. Pushing aside resentments, Anne moves into Painswick Court, which is rumored to be haunted. Also in residence are Lady Celia’s spinster daughter, her handsome adult nephews, and a secretive new lady’s maid. Two local doctors visit regularly as well, one of whom admires Anne while concealing secrets of his own. As an escalating series of mishaps befalls her patient, Anne realizes someone is trying to kill the woman. But who? When Anne finds herself a suspect and her determination to avoid romance challenged, can she discover the real killer—and protect her heart—before it’s too late?

I hope you will enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by today!