The Marlowe Murders received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with authors Laura Giebfried & Stan Wells.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The Marlowe Murders was published on April 20, 2020.
What’s the book’s first line?
I remember everything.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
In 1955, Alexandra Durant is unexpectedly dismissed from her graduate program mere months before receiving her PhD. Hardened by her experiences and the disease that took away her mother’s memory, Alexandra is wary when the powerful dean of the psychology department, John Marlowe, offers her a servant position at his elderly mother’s house with the dangling promise that — if she’s a good girl — she’ll get her life back.
Now, secluded on a private island off the coast of Maine, Alexandra is confronted by mysteries far more sinister than anything John Marlowe let on: bereaved inhabitants that descend upon the island with dark secrets and an unwelcome house guest with his own hidden past.
And when it all leads to a gruesome murder, Alexandra must gather the unlikely skill of a near-perfect memory and the knowledge of how the mind works to find out who the killer is — and make sure that she’s not next.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
We were inspired to write The Marlowe Murders out of a desire to take the classic mystery genre and turn it on its head. The Marlowe Murders contains elements of films like Ten Little Indians and Rebecca – dark, haunting mansions, closed-circle mysteries, and an array of suspects – while also having a modern spin. Our protagonist is a young woman who has spent years perfecting her memory after watching her mother succumb to Alzheimer’s Disease, and it’s her memory that drives the plot and allows her to piece together clues to ultimately solve the murder.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
We tried to make a story that was cinematic in its presentation. We both have a background in screenwriting and improvisation, which made us very willing to take chances and try out unexpected ways to make the story work, visually as well as on the page. We hope people would read the book and feel as if they’ve been taken on a thrilling trip to another time – one without cellphones, computers, and the modern technology that seems to weigh down mysteries set in the present. It’s a fun book, but it’s not an easy book, great for readers who like to have all the clues presented to them that ultimately solve the mystery.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Our protagonist, Alexandra, shares similar attributes with the titular character from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Both are highly intelligent individuals who don’t adhere to social norms, and have been consistently put down by powerful men. While Alexandra does not necessarily seek revenge on those who have done her wrong, she does seek justice – and just like Lisbeth Salander, she plans to get it, no matter the cost.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Laura Giebfried: This is my sixth novel. My previous works include the Damnatio Memoriae trilogy and The Victim’s Game, which are all mystery novels, too. This is the first novel I’ve co-authored, and my husband Stan Wells’ first novel.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
As much time as our four-year-old and one-year-old daughters allow.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Having a writing partner is a great way to constantly challenge yourself and create fresh ideas. Bonus points if your writing partner is your spouse: if you can write a book together and keep your marriage intact, you’ll have a very fulfilling career.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Stan Wells: Shakespeare.
Laura Giebfried: I most admire Brian McDonald, whom I consider one of the greatest writers of our time. His book, The Golden Theme, is a must-read for every author.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Stan Wells: The book I wish I had written is Foucault’s Pendulum, a mind-changing novel.