CASTLES, GENEALOGY, AND MURDER IN SCOTLAND WITH MYSTERY AUTHOR CLARA McKENNA

The author leaving Stirling Castle, Scotland

Clara McKenna currently writes the Stella & Lyndy Mystery series about an unlikely couple who mix love, murder, and horseracing in Edwardian England. She's a vintage teacup collector and an avid traveler, the UK being a favorite destination. When she can't get to England or Scotland, she happily writes about it from her home in Iowa. Learn more about Clara and her books at her website.

Every time I start a new mystery novel, I begin with a "what if" premise based on an unusual situation. What if an American heiress arrives in England thinking she's attending a wedding at an aristocrat's country estate, only to discover she's actually the intended bride? Or what would happen if at a grand country estate packed with Christmas guests, both the cook goes missing and the housekeeper turns up dead? Or, in the case of my upcoming release, I wondered: what if an unexpected visitor joins a weekend party during a golf tournament at The Old Course—the hallowed birthplace of golf in Scotland—and ends up in the bushes, battered to death?

 

What fascinates me is that no matter how different these initial premises might be, my mysteries inevitably circle back to family. I write about an English mother-in-law who'll stop at nothing to protect her son's inheritance, an ambitious father who uses his daughter to get what he wants, and the hopeful truth that sometimes in-laws, friends, and even stable hands can be as close, protective, and loving as any blood relative.

 

But never has one of my books reflected my own family history quite like Murder at Glenloch Hill. Though I've played little of the game, golf runs deep in my roots—my grandfather's converted garage became a repair shop that drew professionals to his doorstep. The Scottish setting, it turns out, is literally in my DNA. Growing up, I knew about my Danish maternal great-grandmother and the stories of my grandfather's grandfather, who came from Ireland alone at age eleven. Yet it wasn't until I finally got my DNA tested that I discovered just how much of my ancestry originates in Scotland. Many of the surnames in my family tree that I had assumed were Irish turned out to be Scottish, including my own maiden name.

 

So when the opportunity arose to visit both the birthplace of golf and the land of many of my ancestors, I jumped at the chance. I decided to bring my characters, Stella and Lyndy, along for the journey. Stella (née Kendrick), who's from Kentucky, shares this Scottish heritage—before her father made his millions selling and racing Thoroughbreds, his family built the distinctive Scottish-style dry stone walls that surround so many horse paddocks throughout Kentucky.

 

During my visit, I discovered not only the rich history of the great game of golf but also my own clan affiliations. I learned I belong to both the Stuart clan (one of Scotland's most famous surnames) and the McEwen clan. It felt appropriate to honor this connection by making Stella's distant Scottish cousins McEwens as well. I'm particularly thrilled that my publisher took my suggestion to feature the McEwen tartan on Stella's skirt on the book cover—a proud declaration of family ties for all to see.

 

In the end, whether I'm writing about missing cooks, bartered brides, or murder by golf club, my mysteries all come back to family—the ones we're born into, marry into, or discover along the way.

 

Murder at Glenloch Hill

A Stella and Lyndy Mystery, Book 6

 

On a weekend trip to the Scottish countryside, American transplant Stella, and British aristocrat, Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst, learn how sinister bad sportsmanship can be when a prestigious golf tournament becomes a deadly game of murder . . .

Along with cheering on her soon-to-be brother-in-law, Freddie Kentfield, at The British Open in Scotland, Stella embraces the chance to connect with her distant cousins, the McEwens, at their grand estate, Glenloch Hill. But she and Lyndy don’t receive the warm welcome they expect when their arrival is marred by missing luggage, evasive hosts, and the perceived mistreatment of a young laundry maid. Adding to the tense atmosphere, Freddie's roguish father, Sir Edwin, appears at the manor uninvited, his presence casting a shadow over the events—and stirring up more unanswered questions . . .

As golf clubs swing on the green, so do Lyndy’s fists in an uncharacteristic outburst. Chaotic circumstances take a dark turn when Sir Edwin is found bludgeoned outside the laundry house—the maid waiting beside the body, no murder weapon in sight—and all eyes on Lyndy . . .

Suddenly caught in a whirlwind of kilts, elite golfers, and deadly rumors, Stella rushes to protect Lyndy's innocence and save herself from real danger. But can she both navigate the unspoken rules at Glenloch Hill and survive a cutthroat competition against a killer who will stop at nothing to win?

 

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AN INTERVIEW AND A BISCOTTI RECIPE FROM DEBUT MYSTERY AUTHOR ELLE JAUFFRET

Today we sit down for an interview with mystery and speculative fiction author Elle Jauffret who also offers us a recipe for some delicious biscotti. Learn more about her and her books at her website where you can also find links to her social media accounts.

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

I have always crafted stories since I could write. I finished the first draft of my first novel in 2004 and never really stopped after that. I realized I wanted to write novels seriously and for a living in 2015.

 

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?

Being traditionally published became a desire in 2015, but a serious goal in 2020. So nine years as a dream and four years as a goal.

 

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

Traditionally.

 

Where do you write?

At my desk at home and wherever I can (in the car, waiting for my kids after school/practice, at the doctor’s office, etc.)

 

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?

I write in silence or with the sound of the rain/storm.

 

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?

Claire Fontaine, the main character of Threads of Deception, is a former criminal attorney who wakes up with a French foreign accent syndrome. She is based on my life as a former criminal attorney who speaks with a French accent (though my accent is native French, not a speech disorder). Her struggles with her accent are similar to mine, but I have never investigated a murder like she does. All the characters in the story are also composites of my friends (especially Suggie Oh, Ben Torres and Vikram Thomas.)

 

Describe your process for naming your character?

I have a book in which I write names I like and what they mean to me. When I write a novel, I review the list and pick the ones that fit the best. In the case of Threads of Deception, I named my character after Clairefontaine, my favorite brand of notebooks.

 

Real settings or fictional towns?

Threads of Deception is set in San Diego County, a real location in California, but takes place in the fictional town of Caper Town. Using a fictional setting allows me to reference people and places freely without concerns that real individuals might assume they're being portrayed. Plus, it gives me the creative freedom to build my own world.

 

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?

My main character, Claire Fontaine, has a speech disorder that causes her to speak with a French accent, even though she doesn't actually know the language. She despises it, much to the bewilderment of her best friend Suggie Oh, who finds the accent attractive and can't grasp why Claire is so eager to be rid of it.

 

What’s your quirkiest quirk?

I tend to stare at people without breaking gaze. It’s not intentional—I just get really focused. Sometimes I have to remind myself to look away. Otherwise, it can get a little intense. Some people find it unsettling, but others say it makes them feel like I’m really listening.

 

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?

The Harry Potter series. It’s an amalgam of all the myths and stories I grew up with, perfectly woven into a modern setting with captivating characters. What really stands out to me are the social themes—friendship, identity, justice—that resonate so strongly, making the story feel both timeless and relevant.

 

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?

I wouldn’t know where to start (laugh).

 

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Texting while driving (blocking traffic/dangerous driving)

 

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?

I want to say satellite phone with a solar charger, a notebook and a pen.

Otherwise: machete, lighter/fire starter, survival blanket/tarp.

 

What was the worst job you’ve ever held?

My worst job was working in the Biotherm makeup manufacturing company in Monaco, where I had to put tiny stickers under sample products by hand because the machine was broken. The rhythm of the work was frantic and the task incredibly monotonous, leading to aching hands by the end of the day. To make matters worse, it was hot inside the facility—there was no air conditioning and we weren't allowed to open the windows. 

 

Who’s your all-time favorite literary character (any genre)? Why?

Hermione Granger because she is intelligent, compassionate, courageous, and independent. I love how she fights for what’s right. She is the ideal best friend.

 

Ocean or mountains?

I’ve been pondering that question for ages and never found an answer.

 

City girl/guy or country girl/guy?

City girl. I spent my early childhood in the French countryside (Provence) but lived in the city since I was nine years old. I love the city’s vibrancy, architecture, and diversity. 

 

What’s on the horizon for you?

I have two more books coming in the Suddenly French Mystery series. Threads of Deception is the first book of the series. The second book will come out in 2025 and the third in 2026.

 

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?

I am a French-born American lawyer, a US Navy wife, and the mother of two boys. I worked as a jurist for The Embassy of France, as a criminal attorney for the California Attorney General’s Office, and as a writer for a literary magazine’s “fiction food” column.

Threads of Deception is my debut novel and the first of the Suddenly French mystery series.

 

One of my favorite snacks are lemon-thyme biscotti. They represent my childhood: running barefoot through the woods and the sandy beaches of the French Riviera.

 

Lemon-thyme Biscotti 

 

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour


1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder


1/2 teaspoon salt


2/3 cup granulated sugar


3 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)


1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme


6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature


1-1/4 teaspoon almond extract

2 large eggs

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

 

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and thyme. Set aside.

 

In a second bowl, mix lemon zest and sugar until smooth and well combined. Then add eggs, butter, and almond extract.

 

With mixer set to low, combine contents of both bowls until incorporated.

 

Divide the dough in half and flatten each half into a 9”x6” rectangle (1/2-inch thick) on a baking sheet. Use wet fingers if needed.

 

Bake 25 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes on a rack. 

 

Cut 3/4-inch-thick slices (they should be 9” long). Prop the slices sideways on the baking sheet and return to the oven. 

Lower temperature to 325 degrees and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Then turn them on their other side for another 10 minutes.

 

Biscotti should be golden and feel dry. Set on rack to cool completely.

 

Threads of Deception

A Suddenly French Mystery, Book 1

 

High-profile D.C. criminal attorney, Claire Fontaine, is leaving the legal world behind to become a private chef after a criminal explosion destroyed her law firm and left her with a French Foreign Accent Syndrome. In order to heal and reassess her life, she returns to Caper Cove, California to cater for a fashion TV show on the request of a rising designer friend, only to find said friend dead. Determined to prove that it's not a suicide but a murder, Claire teams up with childhood best friend, Suggie Oh, and clashes with Detective Ben Torres who happens to be her new roommate.  

 

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AUTHOR AVERY DANIELS TALKS ABOUT GOTHIC FICTION

Avery Daniels has worked in fortune 500 companies and the Department of Defense her entire life. She resides in Colorado with two brother black cats as her spirited companions, volunteers for a cat shelter, and enjoys scrapbooking and card making, photography, and painting in watercolor and acrylic. Learn more about her and her books at her website and blog.

Gothic fiction: Perfect for a Spooky Read

I hope you enjoy the cooling temperatures, approaching sweater weather, soup time. I thought since I'm an author, what better topic at this time of year than gothic fiction: a little about what it is and some authors to delve into. I employed some gothic touches in my recently released Second Time Around, the second book in my Accidental Vampire PI cozy mystery series.

 

The term “gothic” refers to an architectural style that originated in northern France in the 1100s. This style was used on cathedrals, castles, mansions, and more, featuring large, looming windows, pointy peaks, and dark facades. This dramatic Gothic architecture inspired a whole gloomy genre of music, fashion, and, of course, literature—which is what we’ll focus on here. FYI, the goth subculture is influenced by 19th-century Gothic fiction and horror films. I always wondered about the connection. 

 

Taking its inspiration from gothic architecture, the gothic genre is noted for its ominous depictions of somber shadow-filled castles, mansions, or manor houses with secret rooms and even darker family secrets. For me, I particularly enjoy the mood that is evoked and how the setting of the book becomes a character itself as it becomes so intrinsic to the story. I didn't use a gothic mansion in my story, but an isolated mansion on a lake did the job well. I included a dark family secret, as well. Delicious, huh?

 

This writing style features high drama, supernatural elements, and sweeping emotions. Gothic fiction took romantic elements and added a darker tone and creates the sensation of isolation, of being surrounded by the mysterious and a sense of being kept on edge. I believe gothic fiction was the precursor to the psychological thriller that incorporated varying degrees of romantic and paranormal elements.

 

The first recognized gothic work is British author Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otranto, published in 1764. Other early contributors were William Thomas Beckford, Matthew Lewis, Ann Radcliffe, and Clara Reeve. Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher," a short story about the doomed Usher family and their descent into madness, was the first widely published Gothic fiction by an American. It is saturated with despair and foreboding and considered a classic.

 

Then these mainstay gothic novels hit the scene: Dracula by Bram Stoker, Rebecca and Jamaica Inn by Daphné du Maurier, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. With these blockbuster books, the gothic genre was firmly a member of the fiction family.

 

The 1970s saw a wave of gothic romance become wildly popular with authors like:

Victoria Holt (The Bride of Pendorric, Mistress of Mellyn, and The Shivering Sands), Mary Stewart (Nine Coaches Waiting, This Rough Magic, The Moon Spinners, and Madam, Will You Talk?), Dorothy Eden (Darkwater, An Afternoon Walk, and Ravenscroft), and Barbara Michaels (House of Many Shadows, Witch, and Wings of the Falcon). I've read many of these, but not all.

 

More recent examples of gothic novels (oh yes, gothic is still going strong) are Beloved by Toni Morrison, The Hacienda by Isabel Canas, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Gracia, Anatomy by Dana Schwartz, Gallant by V.E. Schwab, The Bone Orchard by Sara A. Mueller, and The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. 

 

There is a difference between gothic and horror. In my opinion, many things that are horror often get mislabeled as gothic. To me the tension and foreboding is gothic whereas terror and frightening images, themes, and situations is more the realm of horror. Gothic is the nerve-wracking anticipation of what your imagination and spooky atmosphere have evoked while elements of romantic exist, where horror is the terror chasing you and about to kill you. That's why I think gothic fiction was a precursor to the modern psychological thriller. 

 

As I mentioned, I enjoy the mood that is evoked and how the setting of the book becomes a character itself. I brought some gothic elements into Second Time Around, Accidental Vampire PI #2. Besides the handsome witch and quirky vampire, I added a dollop of a ghost and her mystery, the insolated mansion, and the family secret.  

 

Do you like gothic touches or full-blown gothic fiction? What is it you like about gothic novels? Have you read any of the books I listed and which ones? 

 

Second Time Around

An Accidental Vampire PI, book 2

 

Misty, a most unlikely vampire, is on the trail of a killer in a ghostly mansion.

 

Misty’s detective boss is still absent and she accepts a job protecting the town’s most despised member. When Victoria Amherst is struck down under her watch she is determined to hunt down the killer. She is joined by suave witch Rowen once again as she pieces together a picture of murder from the past as well as dirty deeds in the present. The rogue vampire who turned her is still running rampant and she continues to pick up his trail, but now she's on his radar. Can she find him before he strikes at her where she lives? As if that weren't enough, the head of the Vampires in town is determined to set her up with a vampire of his choosing to keep Rowen out of her life.

She has to keep her teeth sheathed and juggle all the challenges. She can't risk a misstep on any dilemma before her.

 

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