"Rhys Bowen discusses crafting suspense within historical fiction novels: 'All great narratives are enigmas'"
In the world of captivating historical fiction, Rhys Bowen continues to weave intricate tales that captivate readers with mystery, adventure, and strong female protagonists. Known for her acclaimed series such as the "Molly Murphy" and "Royal Spyness" books, Bowen has also penned standalone novels, many of them set during World War II.
The author's latest offering, "Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure," marks a departure from her usual mystery-laden narratives. The novel primarily unfolds as a historical tale, with the heroine, Ellie Endicott, a perfect wife of a banker in 1930s England, embarking on a life-changing journey. Ellie discovers an abandoned villa in the south of France and decides to restore it, with the villa serving as the central mystery in the story.
Bowen spent six months immersed in the French village where the story is set, researching and letting her imagination run wild. The novel portrays Ellie's personal growth and the blossoming of other women in the story, with a strong theme of female bonding. Other mysteries in the novel include the enigmatic fisherman Nico, what he keeps in his shed, and the French girl Yvette.
While "Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure" is the closest Bowen has written to a straight historical novel, mystery elements still creep in. For instance, the novel delves into the mystery of the villa and the secrets it holds.
Meanwhile, Bowen continues to write new books in the "Molly Murphy" and "Royal Spyness" series. Lady Georgiana Rannoch, a British aristocrat navigating mysteries and adventures in the early 20th century, and Molly Murphy, a spirited Irish immigrant solving crimes and facing dangers in early 1900s New York, remain popular characters in Bowen's works.
In another novel, "The Rose Arbor," Bowen explores two parallel stories in two timelines, with a big mystery element. This book has been nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark award this year and features missing girls in various time periods and an abandoned village.
With nearly three decades of writing mystery series under her belt, including the "Constable Evans," "Molly Murphy," and "Royal Spyness" books, Bowen is acclaimed for her ability to blend historical settings with mystery and richly developed female protagonists, often with themes of independence, resilience, and adventure in the early 20th century.
In Rhys Bowen's latest novel, "Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure," the author delves into a new genre—historical fiction—while still incorporating elements of mystery. Alongside this captivating novel, Bowen continues to write captivating mysteries series such as "The Molly Murphy" and "The Royal Spyness," filled with adventure, suspense, and fashion-and-beauty. Future readers can anticipate the author's woven narratives in books like "The Rose Arbor," which seamlessly combines suspense, entertainment, and even sports-betting with contemporary mysteries.
