Maggie Moves to Murder! Nobody's Sweetheart Now

by Mary Jo

Maggie Robinson has visited the Word Wenches before to talk about her delightfully original historical romances.  Now she's turned to murder!  Her first Lady Adelaide mystery, Nobody's Sweetheart Now, has just been released, so I've inveigled Maggie to visit us and talk about this new direction.

MJP: Welcome back to the Word Wenches, Maggie! Could you give a bit of information on your background and how you got into writing?

MR: I was an English major in college a thousand years ago (even in the English honor society, LOL), but didn’t get around to writing seriously until about 15 years ago. I was a teacher, library clerk, newspaper reporter, administrative assistant to two non-profits, and mom of four, and several other things I’ve forgotten!

Truth: One night my husband and I had an argument. I was so mad I went upstairs to the guest room…and also where the computer was. I couldn’t sleep and started pounding out a historical where the hero was going to be perfect. Ha. Even in fiction they’re a pain. One thing led to another, and a bunch of books later, it really is all my husband’s fault!

MJP:  The Maggie Robinson voice is just as lively in this mystery as in your historical romances, but of course it's a very different kind of story.  What made you decide to choose this new direction?  And how did you like moving to more complex mystery plotting, where you have to create crime, clues, suspects, and red herrings?

MR: I’ve always loved mysteries, but never thought I could write one since I don’t seem to be able to plot. I was working on what I hoped to be the fourth book of my last Victorian series (Cotswold Confidential), and I was stuck halfway through after a whole year (maybe since I can’t plot?). I knew I needed a change, and last fall the idea for Nobody’s Sweetheart Now came to me. New genre, new decade. I wrote it in two and a half months, much faster than a year! And still can’t plot, LOL. I just fixed it so that virtually anyone could have been the murderer, and decided along the way. Guilty until proven innocent. 

MJP: Tell us about the widowed Lady Adelaide, your charming and possibly a bit barmy leading lady!

MR: I love Addie. On the outside, it looks like she has everything—marquess’ daughter, grand estate, plenty of money, widow of a Great War flying ace. But he didn’t die over France; instead he smashed up his car with his French mistress in it. Much to her guilt and dismay, she’s relieved to seal in the Compton family vault and try to get on with her life now that most of the deprivations of war are over and the Twenties are beginning to roar. Except he doesn’t stay sealed! Will he wind up in heaven, or hell? Addie has an idea where she’d like to send him.

MJP:  I'm very fond of the 1920s.  Nobody's Sweetheart Now is set very specifically in 1924. What are your reasons for choosing this period as a setting?

MR: I’ve always been fascinated by the “between the wars” period in England. It’s the golden age of mysteries for sure! I wanted there to be a few years between the end of the Great War, so that dashing, reckless Rupert has time to get bored with his perfect life and perfect wife. The Twenties are filled with excesses and extremes—police strikes, coal strikes, unemployed soldiers, the lure of movies and music, Bright Young People behaving badly. Doing the research has been my kind of heaven. And the clothes are simply gorgeous. You can see some of my inspirations on my Pinterest page

MJP:  The detective inspector from Scotland Yard who looks like a long term romantic prospect is an Anglo-Indian.  Could you tell us more about how you came up with Dev?  And is the annoying Rupert going to be a regular fixture?

MR: I’m the daughter of an immigrant. My mother was from Austria, and worked so very hard to assimilate, losing her language, removing her pierced earrings, reading the newspaper to teach herself English. I based Dev’s mother on her—she has left India behind and now out-queens the Queen when it comes to propriety and raising her son to be an English gentleman. Dev’s father was in the military police and has retired from Scotland Yard himself, and has great ambition for his only child.

There’s tension between Dev’s two worlds, which makes him an interesting character. He’s self-taught too, a seeker, with an interest in philosophy and religion, and ’can't quite fit in anywhere. He’s very conscious of the rules of society, more so even than Addie, who at this point just wants to have fun!

And yes, annoying (and attractive) Rupert has a lot of work to do to overcome his past and get through the pearly gates. He’ll be around for a while trying to earn his celestial wings.

MJP:  Can you give us a short excerpt that captures some of the flavor of Nobody's Sweetheart Now?

MR: Here you go!

Once upon a time, Lady Adelaide Mary Merrill, daughter of the Marquess of Broughton, was married to Major Rupert Charles Cressleigh Compton, hero of the Somme. It was not a happy union, and there was no one in Britain more relieved than Addie when Rupert smashed up his Hispano-Suiza on a quiet Cotswold country road with Mademoiselle Claudette Labelle in the passenger seat. If one could scream with a French accent, it was Claudette, and it was said her terrified shrieks as they hit the stone wall were still heard on occasion by superstitious farmers and their livestock near midnight when the moon was full.

Addie was just getting used to her widowhood when Rupert inconveniently turned up six months after she had him sealed in the Compton family vault in the village churchyard. The unentailed house was hers to do as she pleased, and she had decided to open it up to her family and a few convivial friends for the weekend now that she’d made some much-needed improvements. Rupert had always been stingy with her money, and with him gone on to his doubtful reward, she had employed most of the district’s laborers in an attempt to bring Compton Chase into the twentieth century.

True, it was early in her mourning period to entertain, but she made the concession to wear black, even if there wasn’t much of it in yardage, thank God, because it was so bloody hot. And her mother was there to chaperone.

When Rupert appeared, Addie was dressing for her house party, and dropped the diamond spray for her hair on the Aubusson.

“That dress is ridiculous, Addie,” Rupert intoned from a dim corner. He was wearing the dark suit with the maroon foulard tie she’d had him laid out in, and apart from being rather pale, was still a handsome devil, emphasis on the devil. If he’d been in his uniform, she might even contemplate marrying him again.

Oh, she was going mad. Too much stressing over the seating arrangements in the dining room. Who was billeted next to who. Or was it whom? She’d tried to make it easy for those who wished to be naughty tonight to be successful. Then there was the bother over her sister turning vegetarian and ruining the menus at the last minute. Cook was cross and was apt to get crosser.

Addie was already sitting at her vanity table so she didn’t collapse alongside the diamonds. She shut her eyes.

“I’ll be here when you open them. And believe me, it’s no picnic for me either.”

Addie did open them, and her mouth, but found herself incapable of uttering anything sensible.

MJP:  Will there be more Lady Adelaide stories, I hope????  If so, when?

MR: Yes! Who’s Sorry Now comes out next May, and I’m working on the third book right now. Unfortunately, both of them have taken longer than two and a half months!

MJP:  Maggie Robinson will be giving away a signed hardcover copy of Nobody's Sweetheart Now to one person who comments between now and midnight Saturday. 

Do you like stories set in the relatively recent past?  And do you like that cover as much as I do?  

Thanks for visiting with us, Maggie!

 

Mary Jo

Comments

[Mary M.]

Though I generally seem to be stuck on the Regency, I like the promise of Maggie's new storyline and the liveliness of her interview so I'll give it a spin (hopefully, not into a brick wall, lol).

[LOLA J GAUNT]

Wow! What a great plot. Want to read this one!! Will be looking for this at me book store. Great article, love the background information.

[Teresa Broderick]

I read mostly regency set books but I do love the 1920's. There's something about all that decadence and the clothes were fabulous!! Maggie I wish you the very best of luck.

[april]

This novel sounds captivating as I enjoy stories set during that era. A fascinating period which interests me greatly. The cover is wonderful, dramatic and gives me a feel for the story and the era.

[Mary T]

This book sounds good. It's on my TBR list.

As for your question - I love stories set in the past - recent or more distant. I think that I read so many set in the Regency period because the genre I love most (historical romance) has so many set in that period. But loving history as I do, I find other eras just as interesting.

[anne]

Historicals set during the 1920's are enjoyable and fascinating. The lifestyle appeals to me since it occurs after the difficulties faced during WW1 and shows how they are wild and fancy free. The cover reflects this.

[Pearl]

Books set in the recent past are my favorites whether it is during the 1920's when life was a lark, or the 1930's prior to World War 11 or the 1940's when freedom was assaulted. Your novel is appealing and would be a treasure to read.

[Maggie Robinson]

Good morning! Thanks so much to Mary Jo and the Wenches for having me! It is snowing in Maine, so I'll be hunkered right down at my desk, LOL. Looking forward to chatting.

[Maggie Robinson]

No car crashes allowed! Regencies are most readers' gateways to historicals, I think. When I first was published, it was a Regency series. From the 19th to the 20th century for me!

[Maggie Robinson]

Thank you so much, Lola! This idea came as a complete surprise to me!

[Maggie Robinson]

Oh, the clothes! All the elaborate beading, etc. It's amazing that Coco Chanel's 1920s dresses could be worn today and no one would bat an eye. Classic.

[Maggie Robinson]

I love how the cover artist faded Rupert--it's visually very clever. Thank you!

[Maggie Robinson]

I'm fascinated by most historical periods. Sign me up for armchair time travel!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Maggie, we had snow here in Maryland, too, but not as much as in Maine! A good day to settle down with tea and a computer and a chat.

[Maggie Robinson]

The shadow of the Great War really never went away. Some think we're still suffering the after-effects 100 years later!

[Maggie Robinson]

There certainly was a lot of upheaval---and lots of plot possibilities! Thanks for commenting.

[Annette N]

OK - this is the first time I have read anything by Ms Robinson. And I must say, it shows a complete lack of so many things on my part.

First of all, I love Addie. I love Dev. I even love that terrible man Rupert. I can see why so many women fell for him. Shoot fire, I find it hard to imagine that most women would not fall for him.

This was a terrific book to read and I am absolutely anxious for the next chapter in the adventure.....please write quickly.

[Sue McCormick]

I am fascinated by this. I'm putting Nobody's Sweetheart now on my TBR list.

And I was born in the 1920s (1927, Lindbergh's flight, the beginning of the work on Mount Rushmore, me, and Showboat The world remembers all abovw except Showboat.

And St.Louis had a bad tornado the week after I was born. St.Louis rememebers the tornado.

[Maggie Robinson]

LOL. So glad you enjoyed it! I wound up loving Rupert too, against my better judgment! Ghosts are not always welcome in the mystery genre, but how can you resist him? Thanks so much!

[Maggie Robinson]

Thanks, Sue! It sure was a great decade then!

[Karin]

I have been reading more and more historical mysteries lately, so I'm excited about Maggie Robinson's new direction. Definitely adding it to my TBR.

[Sally Fortney]

I love historical romances and mysteries. I grew up reading historical fiction with my parents.

[Maggie Robinson]

An online group Crime thru Time announces free books, sales & releases. Lots of good recommendations!

[Maggie Robinson]

Me too! I have to pinch myself every now and again to realize I write them!

[Jane]

I can't wait to read this! I love historical mysteries -- I also hang out on the CrimeThruTime mailing list, so I first heard about this book there. It's interesting to hear more about the background. Thanks, Maggie!

[Brtdy]

I love historical mysteries. Already added this to my wish list.

[Maggie Robinson]

Jane, I've loved following the "woo woo" comments, LOL. (whether ghosts belong in mysteries) My Kindle is getting fuller. :) Thanks!

[Maggie Robinson]

Thank you! I realize when I say I love historical mysteries, I'm thinking of the Golden Age (Agatha Christie, Sayers et al) when the mysteries were actually contemporary, LOL.

[Susanti]

I love historical fictions and to mix it with mystery adds my excitement💛😍

[Kathy K]

I am very fond of historicals, mysteries, and historical mysteries, so this one sounds right down my alley. The 20s weren't much on my radar until Downtown Abbey hooked me. Your characters look very interesting people with a lot of room to develop over time. Loved the cover! If I don't win the book I plan to buy it to read during Christmas break.

[Kareni]

I'm another one who enjoys a good historical mystery, so I'll definitely be adding Nobody's Sweetheart Now to my list. Thanks, Mary Jo and Maggie, for the interview.

[Maggie Robinson]

The perfect combo!

[Maggie Robinson]

I stopped watching Downton when they killed off Sybil. I know, I know, the actress had other plans, LOL. So I missed all the gorgeous 20s finery.

[Maggie Robinson]

Thank YOU! Hope you like it!