Hardcover, 320 pagesPublished March 3rd 2015 by Minotaur Books (St. Martins Press)
Molly Murphy Sullivan’s husband Daniel, a captain in the New York City police force, is stumped. He’s chasing a murderer whose victims have nothing in common—nothing except for the taunting notes that are delivered to Daniel after each murder. And when Daniel receives a note immediately after Molly and her young son Liam are in a terrible subway crash, Daniel and Molly both begin to fear that maybe Molly herself was the target.
Molly’s detective instincts are humming, but finding the time to dig deeper into this case is a challenge. She’s healing from injuries sustained in the train crash and she’s refurbishing her house, which has only just been rebuilt after burning down. She’s also sidetracked by her friends Sid and Gus’s most recent hobby, dream analysis. And when Molly herself starts suffering from strange dreams, she wonders if they just might hold the key to solving Daniel’s murder case.
Rhys Bowen’s characteristic blend of atmospheric turn-of-the-century history, clever plotting, and sparkling characters will delight readers in The Edge of Dreams, the latest in her bestselling Molly Murphy series.
"I'm a New York Times bestselling mystery author, winner of both Agatha and Anthony awards for my Molly Murphy mysteries, set in 1902 New York City.
I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in the 1930s. It's lighter, sexier, funnier, wicked satire. It was voted by readers as best mystery series one year.
I am also known for my Constable Evans books, set in North Wales, and for my award-winning short stories. "
I was born and raised in England but currently divide my time between California and Arizona where I go to escape from the harsh California wintersWhen I am not writing I love to travel, sing, hike, play my Celtic harp.
1. What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
A major theme in The Edge of Dreams is Freud's newly published The Interpretation of Dreams. This was such a new idea at the time, that our dreams could actually mean something and that by interpreting them correctly we could see into the subconscious. I did a course on dream psychology in college and was completely hooked, so it was exciting to be able to use this knowledge as well as Freud's treatise as part of this story.
2. Who is your favorite character in the book?
Of course I love spending time with my heroine, Molly Murphy. I've been with her through 16 books now so I know her pretty well. I like her spunk and her strong sense of justice. I also adore her neighbors, Sid and Gus, a lesbian couple who are true bohemians and enjoy life to the full.
3. Which came first, the title or the novel?
The novel in this case. I had another title which my editors weren't thrilled about so I batted around ideas with friends and my good buddy Deborah Crombie helped me come up with The Edge of Dreams.
4. What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
I think the train crash scene at the beginning of the book is well done, and actually is based on news reports of the real train crash on that day. I enjoy bringing real history into my books as much as possible.
5. Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?
That nothing is written in stone. If the story doesn't work the way you planned it, let your characters show you where they want the story to go.
6. What do you like most about the cover of the book?
All of my Molly covers have been so atmospheric. The iconic Brooklyn bridge shouts New York instantly.
7. What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2015?
The Edge of Dreams will be published on March 3rd 2015.
Then I have another Molly book due out for Christmas. A true Christmas story called Away in a Manger.
And of course I'll have a Royal Spyness book out in August called Malice at the Palace...
It's been a busy year for me!
8. What was your favorite book in 2014?
Jacqueline Winspear’s The Care and Management of Lies.
9. What’s up next for you?
I've been a busy girl. The Edge of Dreams comes out this March, then my next Royal Spyness book, Malice at the Palace comes out in August and then a special Molly Christmas book called Away in a Manger. So three books this year!
Published October 14th 2014 by Minotaur Books (St. Martins Press)
In this thrilling new addition to the New York Times bestselling series, Lady Emily travels to Paris where she struggles to unmask a murderer amid a case of assumed identities and shadowy figures...
After an odd encounter at a grand masquerade ball, Lady Emily becomes embroiled in the murder investigation of one of the guests, a sometime actress trying to pass herself off as the mysterious heiress and world traveler Estella Lamar. Each small discovery, however, leads to more questions. Was the intended victim Miss Lamar or the imposter? And who would want either of them dead?
As Emily and Colin try to make sense of all this, a larger puzzle begins to emerge: No one has actually seen Estella Lamar in years, since her only contact has been through letters and the occasional blurry news photograph. Is she even alive? Emily and Colin’s investigation of this double mystery takes them from London to Paris, where, along with their friend Cécile, they must scour the darkest corners of the city in search of the truth.
Tasha Alexander is the New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Emily series and the novel ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE. She attended the University of Notre Dame, where she studied English and Medieval History. Her work has been nominated for numerous awards and has been translated into more than a dozen languages. She and her husband, novelist Andrew Grant, divide their time between Chicago and the UK.
1. What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
My primary inspiration came from the obituary of Huguette Clark I read in the New York Times. The daughter of a copper baron, she died at 104 in the hospital in Manhattan where she had chosen to spend the last twenty or so years of her life, despite that fact that she was not ill. She left behind an amazing art collection and three empty residences: an enormous 5th Avenue apartment, a country house in Connecticut, and a seaside estate in California, none of which she had visited in decades. I was intrigued: what would make a person who had a fortune of hundreds of millions of dollars decide to retreat to a hospital room?
2. Who is your favorite character in the book?
Picking a favorite character is akin to choosing a favorite child. I love them all in different ways, but Jeremy Sheffield, Duke of Bainbridge, is one of the most fun to write.
3. Which came first, the title or the novel?
For me, the novel always comes before the title. I was born without the title gene, and am grateful to my editor and my extremely patient friends who are sometimes forced to spend weeks hashing through ideas. Writing the book is far easier than trying to name it.
4. What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
This is difficult to describe without ruining the story, but I will try. Late in the book, there is a scene in which Emily finds that which she has been seeking. I wrestled with how to best describe the situation that she confronts, and in the end wound up thoroughly creeping myself out while writing it. Normally, I am not a fan of too much creepiness, but this scene required it, and I was glad that I was able to rise to the occasion.
5. Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?
TASHA: It is essential to learn what works for you. Early on, it is easy to get distracted by how other people tell you books should be written – what actually matters is figuring out the way you write books. It doesn’t matter if it is morning or night, whether you shoot for a certain number of words per day, or if you outline or don’t. Do what works and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.
6. What do you like most about the cover of the book?
I love the colors and the rich atmosphere conjured up by the image. Also adore the texture – books are so tactile to me, and I love when they feel good to hold.
7. What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2015?
I will be buying and reading on the day it is released Lauren Willig’s The Lure of the Moonflower, the final installment in her fantastic Pink Carnation series. She captures historical details perfectly, consistently tells a rollickingly good story, and is perfectly witty.
8. What was your favorite book in 2014?
David Mitchell’s The Bone Clocks
9. What’s up next for you?
I am in research mode, gearing up for the next Emily book, which I am 95% certain will be set in Greece, but at this point, anything is possible.
Literature is a very interesting and rewarding field for those who have a passion to read and write. In online education, people can buy a degree in literature and make a lucrative career as a writer.
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