We chat with author Evie Woods about The Violin Maker’s Secret, which is a reverse heist historical novel filled with heartfelt moments, unexpected connections, and a mystery that lingers long after the final page.
Hi, Evie! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m an Irish writer and professional day-dreamer! I’ve always been a very creative person (I’m a self-taught artist and enjoy crafts) but, like most people, I didn’t pursue a creative life at first because it seemed out of reach. I come from a working class background and the emphasis was always on education and finding a good job at the end of it. So, I studied marketing and completed my studies with a year in France as part of an Erasmus exchange. That year did nothing to keep my feet on the ground and I probably became even more of a dreamer after that (please see The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris for proof!) After that, I travelled to Canada and worked in various admin jobs, but my heart was never in it.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
It was while I was in Canada. I think I was becoming a bit homesick and so I escaped into books, spending my free time in libraries and bookstores. Eventually, I started to wonder if perhaps I too could write a book. I began writing a novel with absolutely no idea what I was doing, other than that I wanted to be the next Maeve Binchy/Marian Keyes. I gave up after three chapters. But if there’s one thing about me, it’s that I’m determined! I joined a writing group and again, found inspiration in the library where I loaded up on ‘writing for beginners’ books. Looking back, I think the fact that my love for writing showed up at that specific time is no coincidence. I wanted to find my own voice and use it in a way that expressed who I was and what I was feeling. Your voice is the most powerful thing you own and I wanted to use mine in a creative way.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The Elves and The Shoemaker by the Brothers Grimm
- The one that made you want to become an author: Anything by Maeve Binchy
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Your latest novel, The Violin Maker’s Secret, is out February 24th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Intrigue – Suspense – Romance – Mystery – Magic
What can readers expect?
I think readers can expect an adventure underscored with magical realism, beating with a heart of friendship, belonging and finding one’s true voice. You don’t have to know anything about violins or music to enjoy The Violin Maker’s Secret, as it is ultimately about fate, love and my personal obsession with nostalgia!
Where did the inspiration for The Violin Maker’s Secret come from?
It first came from the exploration of the relationship between a musician and their instrument, especially violins that have been previously owned by other musicians. I am slightly obsessed with antiques and their stories – whose hands they have passed through, but there’s something so special about a violin. I also drew inspiration from an old ballad, The Two Sisters, whose gruesome tale serves as one of the major plot points. Finally, I read the book Gone by Min Kym and several other stories of priceless violin thefts, which piqued my curiosity about the dark underworld of dealers and fakes.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really enjoyed writing about Paganini. What a truly unique and talented individual he was, but, just like today, his celebrity often outshone his talent and the stories that swirled around him became part of the allure. He really was the Elvis of his day, with ladies swooning at his concerts and even in death, the rumors of his deals with the devil meant that he was denied a proper burial and was exhumed up to 8 times!
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Yes! I think the biggest challenge was figuring out how to tell the story of the violin. There are many plot devices an author can use when writing dual timelines, but this was my most ambitious yet! Getting exactly the right tone for the violin’s voice was crucial and in the end, I decided to write it as a first person narration. But it took about three different drafts to come to that conclusion. And that’s the thing about writing – sometimes you have to write it the wrong way just to find out what the right way is!
What’s next for you?
HarperCollins will publish a new edition of my very first novel that I originally self-published under my own name (Evie Gaughan) back in 2013, called The Heirloom. It’s a dual timeline inspired by the Spanish Armada wrecks on the west coast of Ireland and I’m currently re-reading it and finding ways to give it a glow up to join the Evie Woods catalogue!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
One of my favorite authors, Eve Chase, has a new book out this summer called The Secret Thread. One of the perks of being an author, I was sent an early copy and reader, I highly recommend it! It’s lush and gripping and a total escape. I’m also dying to get my hands on one of my favorite books that will be released as a special edition in March – Stuart Turton’s Seven ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.
