Are you fond of a jolly little Christmas mystery? I certainly am. Join me for a look at the inspiration and research behind Murder on a Midnight Clear, a 1920s Christmas mystery.I can’t pass up a mystery set at a snowbound country estate, so that’s exactly the situation I put my characters in for the sixth book in the High Society Lady Detective series. In this episode I delve into the wonderful world of vintage luggage, American slang from the 1920s, and my research trip to London and what it has to do with a world-wide lockdown. 

Mystery Books Podcast

Murder on a Midnight Clear

S1 E10 / This American-set 1920s mystery with an odd-couple pairing is a madcap American twist on Downton Abbey, with a murder mystery added, of course. Full show notes at https://www.sararosett.com/mbps1e10

Come Hell or Highball by Maia Chance

S1 E9 / A small town cozy with plenty of humor and lots of Southern tropes? Yes, please! In this episode, we take a look at the clever set-up of this amateur sleuth mystery that features an obit writer who suspects the death of her old school friend wasn't suicide, but murder.Full show notes at https://www.sararosett.com/mbps1e9

The Good Byline by Jill Orr

S1 E8 / If you like Agatha Christie&apos;s mystery The Secret Adversary, you&apos;ll want to check out Patricia Wentworth&apos;s The Astonishing Adventure of Jane Smtih. It features a plucky young woman set on adventure, a dashing Scotland Yard man, and a mansion on a cliff by the sea. Gothic tropes abound! Plus find out the connection between Jane Smith and Ethan Hunt of the Mission Impossible franchise. #BonusTriviaFull show notes at https://www.sararosett.com/mbps1e8

The Astonishing Adventure of Jane Smith by Patricia Wentworth

S1 E7 / Sara  pivots to look at mystery television in this episode. By-the-book British detective Miranda Blake goes to sunny Mallorca to escort a prisoner back to the UK, but things go very wrong. She must work with a relaxed German detective to solve the case, which results in some funny scenes and an enteratining odd couple pairing. Full show notes at https://www.sararosett.com/mbps1e7

The Mallorca Files

If you love Downton Abbey, Miss Fisher, and The Crown, this episode is for you. Her Royal Spyness is a historical mystery set in the 1930s London with fun tidbits of royal trivial and intrigue. Why are country house mysteries such an enduring trope and what is a discreet sleuth? Find out in this episode of Mystery Books Podcast.

Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen

MBP S1 E5 / Does the world need another Sherlock Holmes spinoff? If the answer involves Enola Holmes, the answer is yes. Join USA Today mystery author Sara Rosett for an in-depth look at the much younger sister of Sherlock Holmes. Discover the secret language of Victorian women and how Enola co-ops fashion for her own ends. Plus, find out what Enola Holmes has in common with A Series of Unfortuante Events and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.Full show notes at https://www.sararosett.com/mbps1e5

Enola Holmes and the Missing Marquess

S1 E4 / Escape to Crete and delve into one of Sara's favorite tropes, the travel mystery. Adventure, intrigue, and romance abound in Mary Stewart's classic romantic suspense novel, The Moonspinners.Full show notes at https://www.sararosett.com/mbps1e4

The Moonspinners by Mary Stewart

S1 E3 / What do you get when you set a World War II novel in a sleepy English village, add a plucky Air Raid Warden, then mix in an influx of American fly boys stationed at the nearby air base? A perfect set up for a historical mystery, Poppy Redfern and the Midnight Murders.Full show notes at https://www.sararosett.com/mbps1e3

Poppy Redfern and the Midnight Murders

S1 E2 / Join Sara for a look at the cozy mystery about a quirky and abrasive (yet loveable) former PR excutive who moves to an English village and just can't quite fit in. It's a cozy mystery with a serving of a fish-out-of-water trope added to the mix.Full show notes at https://www.sararosett.com/mbps1e2/

Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton

S1 E1 / Welcome to Mystery Books Podcast, a podcast covering mysteries in all of their forms from classic Golden Age novels to contemporary cozies. I’m mystery author Sara Rosett and this is Season One, Episode One, and it's all about Murder on the Orient Express. Full show notes at https://www.sararosett.com/mbps1e1/This is probably the most famous traditional mystery out there. It was written by Agatha Christie and published in 1934 with many, many, many adaptations. Until recently, the most well-known one was the 1974 movie with a ton of big name stars like Lauren Bacall, Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman, John Gielgud and Vanessa Redgrave. Then in 2017, a new feature film adaptation was made with Kenneth Branagh and his controversial mustaches, which I think is just pitch perfect for cozy and traditional mystery lovers. It's the interpretation of Poirot’s facial hair that got everyone talking when the trailer first came out. This movie also had tons of star power with Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench and Penelope Cruz, to name just a few. That's the great thing about this book. It has a huge cast. You can get lots of big stars in it when you make it into a movie. This movie adaptation made quite a few changes to the original story. So we will talk about that later. Right now, we're going to focus on the book and some facts about it, some interesting things related to the writing of it. And we'll look at themes and tropes and then we'll look at the adaptations. 

Murder on the Orient Express

Hello and welcome to Mystery Books Podcast. I'm mystery author Sara Rosett, and this is a short introduction to Mystery Books Podcast. This podcast will cover mysteries in all of their forms from classic golden age novels to contemporary cozies. In each podcast, I'll focus on one mystery. I'll give you a quick overview of the book, but there will be no spoilers, I promise. No spoilers! My hope for the podcast is that it will either help you find a new author to try or let you revisit an old favorite. Full notes at https://www.sararosett.com/introduction-to-mystery-books-podcast/

Introduction to Mystery Books Podcast

In Episode 018 of the Mystery Books Podcast, I talked about the new Fire Tablets with their speed reading app and auto-download features. Two tidbits of news from me: the cozy holiday anthology that I have a novella in is available for pre-order for 99 cents. With nearly 800 pages of cozy mystery novellas from 12 authors, that’s a great deal! My other news is that Death in a Stately Home (Murder on Location #3) is with the copy-editor so it will be out later this fall.  I profile The Riddle at Gipsy’s Mile by Clara Benson. It’s a fun 1920s country house party with a dash of the London jazz scene thrown in. I talk a bit about the mysterious author, the unusual start to the series, and how the book series has the feel of a Golden Age mystery with its conversations, word choice, and pace.  Links and more details at http://www.SaraRosett.com.   

MBP 018 - Riddle at Gipsy's Mile

MBP # 017 is for fans of Downton Abbey and classic village mysteries as I profile Elizabeth Edmondson’s cozy, A Man of Some Repute.  In the Frequently Asked Question section of the show, I briefly answered the question, “How do I get my book published?” I hit the high points of traditional publishing versus self-publishing, touching on the pros and cons for each as well as some things to watch out for if you’re researching publishing options. I hope it’s helpful. :)  During the book section of the podcast, I gave an introduction to Elizabeth Edmondson’s 1950s village cozy, A Man of Some Repute, which features a wounded espionage officer and his teenage sister. I mention the similarities between this book and Agatha Christie’s The Moving Finger, brother and sister investigative duos, and the “secret” military facility that is common knowledge in the village, a touch I really liked as a former military spouse—the families always know.  Show notes and links to publishing tips at http://www.SaraRosett.com.   

MBP #017 - A Man of Some Repute

MBP # 016 - Dangerous Talent  If you love art mysteries, this podcast is for you. I profile the first in the Alix London series, A Dangerous Talent.  First I gave a short update. Devious (On the Run book Five) is out. It’s a fun international heist mystery. If you’d like to read the first in the series, Elusive, I’d love to send it to you. Just sign up for my newsletter at http://Elusive.sararosett.com/ and I’ll send you Elusive.  Book news reported on the rise in readers in the UK as well the new hack that lets you turn your old Kindle into a fridge magnet. A Dangerous Talent features Alix London, a budding art conservator who is asked to authenticate a Georgia O’Keeffe painting in Santa Fe and becomes involved in a murder investigation. I touch on how the author captured the southwest setting as well the fun the author has pointing out some of the absurdities in the art world.  This series will appeal to fans of Peter Mayle’s caper novels set in France.  Show notes at http://www.SaraRosett.com.     

MBP #016 - Dangerous Talent

A podcast devoted to helping readers discover new mystery books.

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Mystery Books Podcast

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