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Behind the Writing of Murder at a Flower Show

Which of the side characters would you love to explore more, or turn into a main character in another series?

I’ve considered delving into Alex’s background, perhaps his time on Fleet Street or in the war. He starts as Felicity’s rival and quickly becomes her investigative companion. There’s also a romance that develops between them between the course of the series. There’s a richness to his character that I think readers would find compelling.

Lady Henrietta and her floral society friends would also make delightful unlikely investigators, though I’m not sure how Felicity would feel about her grandmother getting involved in sleuthing! I suspect she might somewhat hypocritically disapprove.

As for characters specific to Murder at a Flower Show, I have several I’d love to revisit, but I must be careful not to whittle down the suspect list for those who haven’t read the book yet. No spoilers!

What special knowledge or research was required to write this book?

Writing books set in 1920s England requires research to ensure readers receive an authentic experience of this historical period. My research spans from clothing details like typical fabrics used during that era to methods of communication such as telegrams, and extends to more subtle elements like period-appropriate language. I’m always mindful that nothing should jolt readers out of Lady Felicity’s world and era.

For Murder at a Flower Show specifically, which is set in the world of competitive rose growing, I delved into the history of flower shows and rose breeding. This proved particularly fascinating but also challenging, as many varieties of roses we know today simply didn’t exist in 1922 when the book is set. I did my best to be meticulously careful to only include references to plants that existed at that time, which meant familiarising myself with the timeline of rose cultivation and which specific varieties would have been the pride of English gardens during the early 1920s.

What do you hope readers will take away from this story?

I aim to offer readers an immersive world they can sink into completely, where they feel genuinely invested in Felicity and all the other characters. My greatest hope is that these characters feel real and present, like dear friends or intriguing acquaintances you might meet in a charming Devonshire village.

Beyond that, I want to present readers with a twisty mystery puzzle that challenges them. It should be difficult to solve yet fair in its clues and ultimately rewarding in its resolution.

In summary, I hope readers finish Murder at a Flower Show with a deep sense of satisfaction and time well spent!

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Synopsis:

At Bickleford’s famous rose contest, Britain’s loveliest blooms are on display … and the rivalry is deadly!

England, 1922. Struggling to slip out of the sleuthing spotlight and refocus on her journalism career, Lady Felicity Quick receives a peculiar invitation. A prestigious competition between British rose growers seeks celebrity judges, and crime-solver Felicity is top of their list.

Despite a lack of interest in fame and flowers, and after a spot of meddling by her beloved grandmother, Felicity finds herself surrounded by sweet-smelling blooms in the charming Devonshire village of Bickleford. And as romance blossoms, judging the flower show proves surprisingly enjoyable…

Until Britain’s most notorious rose breeder is found murdered behind the floral marquee — with Felicity’s own grandma as the prime suspect! Can Felicity unearth Bickleford’s secrets in time to save her grandmother? Or will our intrepid sleuth end up in her own prickly predicament?

If you love amateur detectives like Miss Marple and Lady Eleanor Swift or the captivating historical whodunits of T E Kinsey and Benedict Brown, then you’ll love Murder at a Flower Show!

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