My 18th novel, Shadows of Swanford Abbey has begun releasing into the world. (Official release date is 12/7, but some pre-orders are already being delivered.) Release time is always exciting, as well as nerve-wracking, as we authors wait to see how a new book will be received.
My publisher describes the novel as “Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen,” which I have to say I love since I greatly admire both of those authors. Weaving together a convincing whodunit wasn’t easy but I enjoyed the challenge. I hope you enjoy it as well.
I was recently asked by an interviewer, “Why did you decide to dip your toes into the mystery world?”
One of the reasons is that I love a brain puzzle. My Dad was a super-smart man who excelled at crossword puzzles and Sudoku and even created treasure hunt clues for parties. I don’t pretend to be as smart as he was, but my brain enjoys a puzzle as well.
Also, in a quest to find audiobooks and televisions shows that my husband and I would both enjoy, we began listening to mystery audiobooks on car trips, including titles by Agatha Christie. We also watched several seasons of Christie’s Hercule Poirot and other British mysteries. (Our own D’Ann Mateer wrote about her love of mysteries earlier in the month. If you missed it, you can read her post here.) Somewhere along the line, I was struck with the idea of trying a “locked room” mystery myself (when a person locked alone in a room is killed and no one can figure out how). And being a writer, I was intrigued with the idea of the victim being an author who is perhaps not all that his public persona appears to be.
Here’s a description:
The book is about a young woman staying at a Medieval abbey-turned-hotel, rumored to be haunted. There, Rebecca Lane begins noticing strange things, including a figure in a hooded black gown gliding silently through the abbey’s cloisters. She also encounters Sir Frederick—magistrate, widower, and former neighbor—who long ago broke her heart. When an author is murdered, the two work together to solve the mystery. Sir Frederick quickly discovers that several people held grudges against the man, including Miss Lane and her brother. Haunted by a painful betrayal in his past, Sir Frederick searches for answers but is torn between his growing feelings for Rebecca and his pursuit of the truth. For Miss Lane is clearly hiding something….
What about you? Are you a mystery reader, too? Do you have a favorite series or show to recommend?
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Congrats on this new release, Julie! What a gorgeous (and mysterious!) cover!
Thank you so much, Deborah. Means a lot coming from you, the queen of eye-catching decoration!
My favorite genres are historical fiction and mystery. When they occur together, that is fantastic! I have always thought that your books come with some small mystery embedded, which increases my interest.
Congratulations on your release! I pre-ordered and anxiously await my copy.
Thank you, Betty. Hope you enjoy it!
Looking forward to this one! 🙂
Thanks, D’Ann. It was fun to read your post and see we have a lot of favorites in common!
Your new book sounds fantastic, Julie!! (I love mysteries woven into novels.) All my best wishes with Shadows of Swanford Abbey!
Thanks, Becky!
Ooh, this sounds interesting! I can hardly wait to curl up with this book!
Thank you, Lisa!
I’m with Betty Strohecker (which is why we are reading pen pals) and do love mysteries and historical fiction. I never get tired of Agatha Christie and have a list of other favorites that I follow, as well. I can’t wait to get into your newest but right now am finally getting through Castaway in Cornwall – which is definitely a mystery and very intriguing!
I can’t wait to read your latest book, Julie!! Mysteries are typically not a genre I read, but I am looking forward to reading your blend of mystery and historical fiction. Congrats on the release!!