I am thrilled to welcome Helena Dixon to my blog to talk about her latest read,
Hi Helena, thanks for agreeing to be interviewed for my blog! For anyone who’s not come across your series before, what can you tell us about the brilliant Miss Underhay mystery series?
Kitty Underhay is a hotelier living in Dartmouth, Devon in the 1930s. She becomes embroiled in a number or murder mysteries with her love interest, first world war veteran, Captain Matthew Bryant. The books appeal to anyone who loves a golden age style mystery.
Ooh and don't we all love those! Congrats on 14th in the series whilst still working these as effective standalones. Is this getting trickier to do as the series goes on or are you in full swing and don’t have to think about it?
The books can all be read as standalones but I think starting from the beginning gives readers more insight into Kitty's world and the people who live there. I love writing Kitty and Matt stories and each book offers a different challenge.
I definitely want to read the previous ones now and see how far Kitty's come. The intrigue starts very promptly with a cryptic message, and the reader soon realises that warnings of a murder are primarily from a psychic medium who is a very intriguing character. Was she fun to write? Did you always intend to include a psychic in this story?
Psychics were very prevalent at this period of time in history. I think we are all fascinated by the idea that the future can be predicted and those we have lost can still contact us. I loved writing Murder at the Highland Castle and showing this aspect of history.
The Scottish castle felt very vivid, and it is described so well, making this a very atmospheric read. Did you have a real place in mind or somewhere you visited?
Yes, I've visited Scotland a number of times and have many Scottish friends. The castle is an amalgamation of several places that I've visited in the past.
Love that. I also liked the fact that this was a New Years story and not a typical Christmas Eve lock in. Was that due to the location lending itself to that or was there another reason?
I love writing impossible murders and locked room puzzles. I enjoy the challenge. For this book writing about a murder at midnight in the snow with a limited number of suspects with the victim already having been prewarned was so much fun. The tradition of Hogmanay made it even more interesting to write.
I bet! Any hints for what we might expect for book 15? I'm just polishing up book 15 right now. It's Murder At The Island Hotel and Kitty and Alice are on their own to start with. The death occurs on a small island just off Torbay in a brand new hotel. But is it murder or suicide?
Sounds brilliant, can't wait to read it. Thanks so much for answering my questions.
Murder at the Highland Castle is out 17 November. Pre-order or purchase on publication day. Murder at the Highland Castle: An utterly addictive and gripping historical cozy mystery (A Miss Underhay Mystery Book 14) eBook : Dixon, Helena: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store