What is your book Genie and the Ghost about?
Family bonds? Well, they play at least a part in this cozy mystery. Genie only intended her stay in the family villa in Cobblewood Cove to be a a brief stop, but when she meets a fun-loving young flapper, her whole world changes. The flapper turns out to be her own great-great-aunt whose appearance seems tied to a series of crimes – and to Genie herself. Their only hope to figure out what’s going on and stop murder and mayhem is to team up and solve the mystery.
As the first part of a five part series, how did you factor that into your writing?
I only started writing after the idea had kept me awake for more nights than I appreciated. By then, pet-whispering ghost Adriana had become so real to me that I had several ideas for future mysteries, all connected to her life and death or to her abilities. Because she died in 1929, at the age of 21, I’ve decided to give her the best afterlife possible, even if she does drive Genie crazy sometimes. But I hope you’ll agree with me that Adriana Darling is the cat’s whiskers.
Your characters are all very lovable, how did you manage to create such realistic protagonists?
The short answer: I used to be a reporter, so grounded is my default. And I’ve always loved history and the research, so Adriana is very much a product of her time and upbringing, with an unconventional mother and strong opinions. It’s fun to see how much wisdom she brings to the relationship, and how she adapts to being the only ghost around, almost a century after her death.
Did a specific event inspire you to write Genie’s story?
Not a specific event, a movie, long after I watched it. I adore classic movies, especially screwball comedies. Then, Topper with Cary Grant and Constance Bennett popped into my head, and Adriana Darling was born. She also looks a lot like Constance Bennett, and she’s in love with Cary Grant.
Have you ever encountered a ghost or wondered about the spiritual realm outside of your writing?
I’ve never met a ghost (yet), but I’ve been in places where I’d either feel safe for no apparent reason or had to get away as fast as I could because I could barely breathe. The poppy-fields of Flanders, one of the worst battlefields in history, were one such place.
As soon as I thought of Adriana, I knew she’d be fun and disruptive, but also deeply caring and protective.
What can we expect from the Genie and Adriana Darling Mysteries series?
For one, changing locations, as the duo try to unravel the mystery of Adriana’s death and to locate her old possessions. Although they solve murder cases in Cobblewood Cove, I didn’t want to create a series where you wonder how anyone is still alive! Because Adriana craves entertainment, she also has evolving interests that help with their investigations. She has a huge impact, not just on Genie, but on the whole community, even though they can’t see or hear her.
Now she’s back from the dead, there’s no stopping this vivacious ghost, or her partner-in-crime.