Author Interview: Rhys Bowen

Thank you for joining us, Rhys. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know more about you and all your books!

For those of you that don’t know you Rhys, tell us a little bit about yourself and your new novel coming out in August, Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure.

I am a New York Times bestselling author of two historical mystery series, The Molly Murphy mysteries set in early 1900s New York City and the lighter Royal Spyness novels about a minor royal in the 1930s. I also write big historical stand alone novels, many featuring the time around WW2. My books are translated into over thirty languages.

Mrs. Endicott is my 60th book! I had such fun writing it (and researching it too as it takes place in the south of France). Ellie Endicott has been the perfect wife. She is blindsided when her husband wants a divorce after thirty years of marriage. He expects her to go away quietly but instead she steals his prized Bentley, picks up two other women whom society has rejected, and drives to the south of France where she forges a whole new life for herself. It is a great tale of female bonding, second chances and celebration of life.

I was born and grew up in England, worked for the BBC in London and then ABC in Australia before meeting my husband and coming to live in California. I have lived here for 50 years now, have four children and five grandchildren whom I spoil shamelessly.

Was there a particular moment or idea that sparked the idea to write Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure?

Two things actually: when I was in Italy I saw an abandoned villa. It had been gorgeous but now ivy grew up the walls, the shutters were hanging off, the garden full of weeds. And I thought who would walk away from something as lovely as that? Why had nobody claimed it? And being me, always impulsive, I wanted to buy it. My husband talked sense into me, but the thought of it wouldn’t go away. So I made Mrs. Endicott restore it instead.

The other inspiration is that I’ve thought a lot about invisible women. When women get to a certain age society ignores them. They are no longer relevant. So I wanted to write that too.

You’ve created such rich and varied worlds—from 1930s aristocratic England to WWII Europe. What draws you to historical fiction, and how do you choose your time periods?

I’m drawn to the first half of the Twentieth Century. A time of such incredible change, two World Wars, heightened emotions, great contrasts. I especially want to write about the second world war as I feel it is the last clear time of good versus evil. So many ordinary people doing such brave deeds. And until recently the bravery of women went unsung. I’ve tried to focus on that.

Lady Georgie, Molly Murphy, and other heroines in your books are independent, clever, and not afraid to speak their minds. How do you go about crafting such strong female leads?

I created Molly because I wanted to write a feisty first person female who was not going to back down, had a strong sense of justice but did not always know when to shut up (a lot like me in my younger days, I have to confess). I think because they echo my own personality they are easy to write. Both Molly and Lady Georgie’s voices came to me instantly.

Many of our readers are women starting new chapters after 40. What advice would you give to someone pursuing a creative passion or reinvention later in life?

Firstly 40 is still young these days. More than half a life is ahead so you are never too old to dream big. My daughter’s best friend went to medical school at 55. Grandma Moses took up painting at 80. The important thing is to take care of health, to stay fit, so that travel and passions can be enjoyed for decades. 

Your novels often blend mystery, romance, and humor so seamlessly. What’s your secret to balancing all those elements without losing emotional depth?

Thank you. I don’t try to consciously blend anything. I just want to tell a good story, a story I want to read. And since I love that touch of humor and touch of romance in the books I read, they always slip into my stories. But even in Lady Georgie books, which are quite light, I am conscious of serious underpinnings. I never take death lightly in my murder mysteries. I try to write three dimensional characters with true relationships.

Any secrets behind your process and advice for those wanting to enter this world of writing?

I am currently writing two and a bit books a year, one of them quite long. So discipline is the most important thing. I need to finish a book in about four months. Yes, I know, it’s crazy but that’s how it’s turned out. I now write the Molly books with my daughter so my role is more of mentor and overseer but even so it takes up a few months of my time.

I do my background research and reading before I start so I know my environment and the bones of my story. The first draft must be done in three months so I have time to revise and polish. I write every morning and can’t stop until I’ve done about 1,500 words. Every day I begin by editing and polishing what I’ve written the day before. That way I never have to look at a blank screen. I see myself as a professional writer and as such I go to work every morning just as a doctor or teacher would do.

When you’re not in your writing world and all that comes with it, what else do you love to do?

I love to travel, as you will guess from my books. Especially France and Italy. I feel so excited, alive and at home when I am there. I love to sing, currently in two church choirs. I paint and sketch (not brilliantly but enough for my own satisfaction) and my favorite thing is spending time with family—big noisy dinners with everyone laughing.

Do you ever miss any of your characters? (We imagine Lady Georgie might be fun at a dinner party!)

Since I write a Lady Georgie book each year I’m always looking out for fun things for her to do and can’t wait to come back to her.

Henlit readers love strong female friendships and relationships that evolve over time. How important are these themes in your work?

Anyone who reads my books will know that female friendships, strong women, injustices are themes throughout my books. Molly Murphy in early 1900s New York is caught up in the suffrage movement. We’ve seen the sufferings of garment workers. And Mrs. Endicott is a classic example of the overlooked, under-appreciated woman. So are the two women with her who become her friends and I was delighted that I was able to show each of them blossoming into the woman she should have been.

Research must play a big role in your writing. What’s the most surprising or delightful thing you’ve uncovered while digging into history for a book?

Research is a wonderful part of my life. I begin with background reading, but then I have to travel to the place I’m writing about. I don’t write about any place where I haven’t been. I go back there before I write the book and take in the small details that bring a setting to life. I had such a great time in Cassis, France when I was writing Mrs. Endicott. Nothing surprising, really, but the wealth of small treasures: the cheese stall at the market with about 100 different cheeses (we tasted most of them), and the olive stall, and the olive wood carver. Ah…

An amazing experience when I was writing The Venice Sketchbook. I went to the Correr antique library in Venice and told them I was doing research into Venice around WW2. They invited me into a room, had two librarians bringing me books (books that can’t be checked out!). They were so enthusiastic, and the books kept piling up around me (all in Italian) that in the end I had to say “basta, grazie” (that’s enough, thank you). But who would have dared to walk into a museum and get that sort of help?

You’ve had a prolific career—what continues to inspire and challenge you as a writer today?

I have so many stories I still want to tell. That’s what keeps me going. Also I am not good at doing nothing. I like to be busy. I don’t find the writing part hard. Sometimes the whole social media thing becomes overwhelming.

Finally, can you give us a sneak peek of what you’re working on next? Any new adventures in store for fans?

Oh yes. I’ve just finished next year’s stand-alone novel and I absolutely love it. It’s called (working title) From Sea to Skye and it’s about a very famous elderly writer with dementia who can’t finish her last book and hires a young writer to finish it for her. When the young writer goes to the island of Skye to research the book she finds the fiction might be a true story, what’s more it might be the woman’s own story which is impossible as the woman is Australian.

Get in touch with Rhys here:

https://www.facebook.com/RhysBowenAuthor
https://www.instagram.com/authorrhysbowen/