In this exclusive Mary Grand A Halloween Murder interview, we explore a high school reunion gone horribly wrong. When old friends gather at a historic castle on the most haunted island in the world, nostalgia quickly turns to terror after one of them is found dead. Was it a tragic accident, a desperate suicide, or a calculated murder? With the castle locked down, everyone is a suspect, and time is running out to find the truth before the killer can escape.
Author Mary Grand joins the podcast to unpack her thrilling new novel, a perfect Halloween read for fans of classic whodunits. We discuss why the Isle of Wight haunted island reputation, with its mysterious ley lines and numerous historic buildings, makes it the ultimate setting for a spooky mystery. Mary shares the fascinating Carisbrook Castle history, revealing how its past as a Saxon fort, a Norman stronghold, and a royal prison for Charles I inspired this chilling tale. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves intricate locked room mystery books, as Mary explains how she crafted a puzzle where the killer had to be one of the guests trapped inside the castle walls.
Throughout this Mary Grand A Halloween Murder interview, we delve into the author's creative process. Mary talks about her beloved amateur detective from the Susan Flynn book series, and how Susan gets entangled in the investigation through her daughter, Zoe, who is a key suspect. We also explore the complex group dynamics of a high school reunion, the intense and frightening Ouija board scene, and the real-world research behind the plot, including the harrowing details of the synthetic drug 'spice' and how it's smuggled into prisons. Mary gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the actual Carisbrooke Castle ghost walk she attended for research and shares fun anecdotes about the famous Isle of Wight tomatoes and her tradition of naming fictional dogs after her friends' real-life pets. If you're a fan of Agatha Christie, you won't want to miss this deep dive into the craft of plotting a modern cozy mystery that keeps you guessing until the final page.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Mary Grand is the acclaimed author of the Susan Flynn book series, a collection of cozy mysteries set on the picturesque and eerie Isle of Wight. Often compared to Agatha Christie for her well-plotted and character-driven stories, Mary specializes in creating intricate puzzles that keep readers captivated. She lives on the Isle of Wight, the real-life setting that inspires her compelling novels.
TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS:
(00:00) A Halloween Murder: A High School Reunion Gone Wrong
(02:43) Why the Isle of Wight is the World's Most Haunted Island
(04:07) Plot Deep Dive: A Locked-Room Mystery in a Castle
(06:19) The Real History of Carisbrook Castle
(09:11) The Psychology of a High School Reunion That Curdles
(11:30) The Intense and Terrifying Ouija Board Scene
(15:49) Fun Facts: Twixmas and Famous Isle of Wight Tomatoes
(20:19) The Shocking Research Behind Smuggling the Drug 'Spice'
(24:12) Fact vs. Fiction: The Real Carisbrooke Castle Ghost Walk
(25:54) The Author's Craft: Writing Unlikable Characters and Plotting the 'Whydunit'
(31:30) The Evolution of Protagonist Susan Flynn
(36:43) What's Next for Mary Grand?
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