Hi Elizabeth! Welcome and thank you for taking time to talk with us today. I just finished reading your latest The Deadly Portent and had a few questions and comments for you.
For our readers new to you, how long have you been writing?
I’ve always written, but it’s about 30 years since I took it up professionally. I’ve been published for about 22. Writing is a second career, taken up after acting in theatre.
What inspired you to pick up the pen (or sit down at the computer) one day and create characters that capture the imagination?
I’m delighted you feel they do capture the imagination! If I go back to the start, I am pretty sure it was fairytales that inspired me originally. My first story, written at the age of 10, had all the classic ingredients - prince and princess and a menacing plague for the hero to handle in order to win his bride.
Most people envision an author’s life as being really glamorous. What’s your take on this?
I wish! It’s mostly hard graft, and since the pay is intermittent, it’s also quite tough for most authors to keep the wolf from the door. Probably true of all the arts, except for those few at the top of the game. But it’s a worthwhile price for the pleasure of doing your dream job.
What is the most glamorous thing you’ve done as an author?
For two years I was the PR officer for the Romantic Novelists’ Association, and there were a couple of glitzy lunches when I had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with some very glamorous and well-known authors.
With two series and a host of stand alone novels, are you a plotter or pantzer?
I used to plot extensively in my early days, but I’ve learned that things change during the writing process and new ideas are thrown up. I do work to a rough guide a few chapters in advance, but I never know how things are going to turn out, so I suppose I’m somewhere in the middle.
If you could be a character in any of your books who would it be and why?
I’d love to be Francis’s mother, the Dowager Marchioness of Polbrook, who was a major character in the first crime novel THE GILDED SHROUD. She’s got the status and age to do and say just what she likes and no one can interfere. Sometimes I think it would be great to have that sort of freedom! Although I’m sure there are also severe restrictions too.
Looking over the past year, what has been the best moment for you in your writing career?
The day THE GILDED SHROUD was published. It was such a thrill to have the book advertised all over the internet and I was so excited at being published in this new genre.
What do you enjoy doing with your spare time, your non-writing time?
I lead a pretty busy life outside of personal writing, so there isn’t a great deal of spare. Would it surprise you to hear that I like to relax with a good book?
What prompted you to write the Lady Fan mysteries?
Ottilia had been on the back burner for years, but I was a little nervous of trying to write crime because I love the genre and was so impressed with the writers I admire. When I found myself getting stale with historical romance, I finally bit the bullet and plunged in.
If you could invite any famous person, dead or alive, for lunch, who would it be and what would you eat?
Shakespeare. I love his plays and his unmatched ability to plumb the human condition. I’d introduce him to Indian food, because he was a great innovator and I think he would appreciate something spicy and different.
You’ve gotten the call, a Hollywood producer is going to bring The Lady Fan series to the big screen. Who do you cast in the major roles?
I find this so difficult, but I think I would go for David Tennant as Francis, Kristin Scott Thomas as Ottilia. Both are a little old for the characters, but Tennant has the look and he can play anything, and I think Scott Thomas has a certain enigmatic calm that would work for my heroine.
What are you working on now? Can you tell us a little about it?
I’m writing book three of the Lady Fan series, where Ottilia encounters a beautiful girl who turns out to be mentally unbalanced. It’s an enigma because Ottilia isn’t sure whether or not a murder has been committed, but she is highly suspicious when she finds out about the cross-currents of emotion surrounding the girl, in the oddball characters who have returned from a Barbados sugar plantation.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
I’d like to thank you for inviting me to talk about my work. Writers love to talk writing! Always a pleasure to be given the opportunity.
Thank you for taking some time with us today!
A bit about Elizabeth:
An avid reader from an early age, Elizabeth Bailey grew up in colonial Africa under unconventional parentage and with theatre in the blood. Back in England, she trod the boards until discovering her true métier as a writer in her thirties, when she fulfilled an early addiction to Georgette Heyer by launching into historical romance with Harlequin Mills & Boon, and fuelling her writing with a secondary career teaching and directing drama, and writing plays into the bargain.
Now retired from teaching, and with eighteen romances published, Elizabeth has switched to crime. Still thoroughly involved in her favourite historical period, Elizabeth placed her female sleuth in the late Georgian world of intrigue, elegance, aristocrats and rogues, where privilege rubbed shoulders with the harsh realities of making ends meet.
Elizabeth occasionally directs plays for a local theatre group where she lives in West Sussex. She also finds time to assess novels and run a blog with tips to help fellow writers improve. More information at elizabethbailey.co.uk
Showing posts with label Elizabeth Bailey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elizabeth Bailey. Show all posts
Thursday, April 26, 2012
THE GILDED SHROUD by Elizabeth Bailey
Publisher: Berkley
Date published: September 6, 2011
ISBN 9780425242896
Historical Mystery
Cozy Mystery
Paperback
Reviewed by Gina
Obtained Via Publisher
In the early hours of the morning a maid enters the Lady Emily’s room. An odd smell permeates the air, but the servant continues on with her work and leaves without checking further. A short time later Lady Emily’s woman enters and discovers her mistress is not only dead but apparently murdered. Her screams bring all in the house running including the second son, Francis.
Francis soon discovers that his brother, Lord Polbrook, has hastened away in the early hours of the morning leaving no word where he is bound or when he will return. When Francis goes to his mother to relate the events as he knows them of Emily’s demise he meets the Dowager Lady Polbrook’s new companion, Ottilia Draycott.
Ottilia has taken the position as companion to fill what has become the empty days of her life. She didn’t bargain on stumbling into a murder investigation. Nor did she imagine in her wildest imaginings that she would meet the man who could very well steam her heart. Side by side Ottilia and Francis begin to investigate Emily’s murder when another body turns up. Who will be next?
Elizabeth Bailey’s THE GILDED SHROUD is an entertaining mystery. While murder can in no way be deemed “entertaining” Ms. Bailey’s telling of the story holds the reader’s attention from start to finish. With each new character that is introduced you wonder if he or she is the killer. By twists and turns it is not clear until the very end whether or not Randall, Lord Polbrook, is the killer or not.
There are some threads that draw the reader into the story which are akin to inside jokes, particularly around the search for the priceless heirloom fan. Not much attention is paid to the looks of rooms outside of Ottilia’s search of them. As well little is made of food being served, merely that meals are taken. The relationship between Francis and Ottilia moves along at a comfortable pace although I didn’t feel much emotion between them as their attraction grew. It does become evidence that they are concerned about breaking with their class statuses but theirs does evolve into a sweet romance.
I liked each character in and of themselves. They were very individualized, each one with their very definitive personality.
THE GILDED SHROUD is an easy read and looks to be the first of a fun series.
This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.
Date published: September 6, 2011
ISBN 9780425242896
Historical Mystery
Cozy Mystery
Paperback
Reviewed by Gina
Obtained Via Publisher
In the early hours of the morning a maid enters the Lady Emily’s room. An odd smell permeates the air, but the servant continues on with her work and leaves without checking further. A short time later Lady Emily’s woman enters and discovers her mistress is not only dead but apparently murdered. Her screams bring all in the house running including the second son, Francis.
Francis soon discovers that his brother, Lord Polbrook, has hastened away in the early hours of the morning leaving no word where he is bound or when he will return. When Francis goes to his mother to relate the events as he knows them of Emily’s demise he meets the Dowager Lady Polbrook’s new companion, Ottilia Draycott.
Ottilia has taken the position as companion to fill what has become the empty days of her life. She didn’t bargain on stumbling into a murder investigation. Nor did she imagine in her wildest imaginings that she would meet the man who could very well steam her heart. Side by side Ottilia and Francis begin to investigate Emily’s murder when another body turns up. Who will be next?
Elizabeth Bailey’s THE GILDED SHROUD is an entertaining mystery. While murder can in no way be deemed “entertaining” Ms. Bailey’s telling of the story holds the reader’s attention from start to finish. With each new character that is introduced you wonder if he or she is the killer. By twists and turns it is not clear until the very end whether or not Randall, Lord Polbrook, is the killer or not.
There are some threads that draw the reader into the story which are akin to inside jokes, particularly around the search for the priceless heirloom fan. Not much attention is paid to the looks of rooms outside of Ottilia’s search of them. As well little is made of food being served, merely that meals are taken. The relationship between Francis and Ottilia moves along at a comfortable pace although I didn’t feel much emotion between them as their attraction grew. It does become evidence that they are concerned about breaking with their class statuses but theirs does evolve into a sweet romance.
I liked each character in and of themselves. They were very individualized, each one with their very definitive personality.
THE GILDED SHROUD is an easy read and looks to be the first of a fun series.
This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.
THE DEATHLY PORTENT by Elizabeth Bailey
Publisher: Berkley
Date published: April 3, 2012
ISBN 9780425245675
Mystery, Historical Mystery
Reviewed by Gina
Obtained Via Publisher
Still in the honeymoon phase of their marriage, Ottilia (Tillie) and Francis Fanshawe have paid a visit to her godmother. While Tillie dearly loves the woman her hearing difficulties are getting the best of her and on the verge of bringing out the worst in her godchild. Together Tillie and Francis go on their way. Before long, however, their carriage breaks down and in even shorter order Tillie learns of a murder in the area. Unable to help herself her curiosity gets the better of her and the couple proceeds to the village of Witherley, the site of the murder.
There in Witherley the Fanshawes learn that the main suspense is petite Cassie Dale. By the way, Cassie is accused of being a witch. This intrigues Tillie and she is quickly on the case. Witherley has a profusion of suspects and Tillie’s mind quickly assesses just who the culprit might be. But someone doesn’t want the Fanshawes investigating the murder and Francis soon finds Tillie’s life threatened.
THE DEATHLY PORTENT is book 2 of Elizabeth Bailey’s Lady Fan mysteries. The title is an intriguing seguel into one of the character’s traits and is indicative of what makes Ms. Bailey’s books fun reads. Fun plays on words are sprinkled throughout. They don’t take you out of the story and you don’t have to look for them. They’re just there if you are paying attention and they make me smile. Ms. Bailey has a unique voice, especially for cozy mysteries because she writes in the third person.
Some of the language, however, was a bit of a struggle for me. Ms. Bailey writes true to the period and if you aren’t familiar with phrases of the time you have to stop and think about it. Every time I saw the word “b’aint” it pulled me out of the story. After the first several times it wore on me and I wanted to put the book down. I felt the story dragged with all the small town minutia. While some was needed to lead Tillie to the key suspects, there were points where it really bogged the story down. It didn’t always move the story along.
I wanted to see more of the wonderful interaction between Tillie and Francis I saw in book 1, THE GILDED SHROUD. The play between them, building their attraction to each other was fun. There was some of the teasing between them and more would not have taken away from the mystery of just who committed the murder. The Fanshawes are a fun couple. They have great chemistry and not just for romance but as great foils for solving murders.
This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.
Date published: April 3, 2012
ISBN 9780425245675
Mystery, Historical Mystery
Reviewed by Gina
Obtained Via Publisher
Still in the honeymoon phase of their marriage, Ottilia (Tillie) and Francis Fanshawe have paid a visit to her godmother. While Tillie dearly loves the woman her hearing difficulties are getting the best of her and on the verge of bringing out the worst in her godchild. Together Tillie and Francis go on their way. Before long, however, their carriage breaks down and in even shorter order Tillie learns of a murder in the area. Unable to help herself her curiosity gets the better of her and the couple proceeds to the village of Witherley, the site of the murder.
There in Witherley the Fanshawes learn that the main suspense is petite Cassie Dale. By the way, Cassie is accused of being a witch. This intrigues Tillie and she is quickly on the case. Witherley has a profusion of suspects and Tillie’s mind quickly assesses just who the culprit might be. But someone doesn’t want the Fanshawes investigating the murder and Francis soon finds Tillie’s life threatened.
THE DEATHLY PORTENT is book 2 of Elizabeth Bailey’s Lady Fan mysteries. The title is an intriguing seguel into one of the character’s traits and is indicative of what makes Ms. Bailey’s books fun reads. Fun plays on words are sprinkled throughout. They don’t take you out of the story and you don’t have to look for them. They’re just there if you are paying attention and they make me smile. Ms. Bailey has a unique voice, especially for cozy mysteries because she writes in the third person.
Some of the language, however, was a bit of a struggle for me. Ms. Bailey writes true to the period and if you aren’t familiar with phrases of the time you have to stop and think about it. Every time I saw the word “b’aint” it pulled me out of the story. After the first several times it wore on me and I wanted to put the book down. I felt the story dragged with all the small town minutia. While some was needed to lead Tillie to the key suspects, there were points where it really bogged the story down. It didn’t always move the story along.
I wanted to see more of the wonderful interaction between Tillie and Francis I saw in book 1, THE GILDED SHROUD. The play between them, building their attraction to each other was fun. There was some of the teasing between them and more would not have taken away from the mystery of just who committed the murder. The Fanshawes are a fun couple. They have great chemistry and not just for romance but as great foils for solving murders.
This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.
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