A destitute woman deceives her way into the guesthouse of a Hollywood Hills mansion and inadvertently becomes a target in the twisted game of the wealthy family upstairs in the next intoxicating novel from Eliza Jane Brazier.
We chat with Eliza about her new novel, Good Rich People, along with book recommendations, writing, and more!
Hi, Eliza! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
This very basic question always inspires an existential crisis. Who the bleep am I?? Basically, I am a human who works to support my pets and give them the life they deserve. I am also a writer but I don’t believe in defining yourself by your job, so I guess I am a nothing!
Welcome to 2022! What do you hope for the new year and have you set any goals?
My hope is that we can all love each other but barring that, revolution. I will be working on developing Good Rich People for television and also my next book. I don’t know what it will be about. I suppose it depends on whether or not we book that revolution.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I first discovered my love for reading but I soon realized there were certain situations where one couldn’t read—driving somewhere or going to bed for example—so I started making up my own books so I could read when I wasn’t reading.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
- The first book I ever remember reading is probably the Bible. For a book where literally everything happens, it’s shockingly boring.
- My first book was actually inspired by a book about dog care, so Good Rich People represents something of a departure.
- The book I can’t stop thinking about is always the one I’m working on. Ha, ha. That is the beauty of being an author. Your job is self-obsession.
Your new novel, Good Rich People, is out January 25th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Not Good Rich People. Boom.
What can readers expect?
I think they can safely expect nothing and get far more than they expect.
Where did the inspiration for Good Rich People come from?
Good Rich People was inspired and informed by my own experiences living below the poverty line for nearly a decade. Those experiences really made me who I am today, sometimes unfortunately.
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
Because I had based the book in something that was so personal and traumatizing, it was honestly hard not to get bogged down by memories from my past. But by pressing forward with it and rewriting and reworking, I actually found the process of creating this book to be very therapeutic and mentally beneficial.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really like the part where Graham casually flings a mallet into the shrubbery. I don’t why but that’s really stuck with me.
What was the process like between writing your debut, which published last year, and this new release?
Totally different experiences. Writing If I Disappear, I was working seven days a week and honestly really depressed. Writing Good Rich People, I was in lockdown and honestly really depressed.
What’s next for you?
My next thriller is about mothers and daughters in the elite horseback riding community in Southern California. It was inspired by my years teaching horseback riding to wealthy families in Orange County and Los Angeles. I’m a total horse girl so it has been such a blast to write.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
So many! For thrillers, Kiersten White’s Hide comes out in May and is just so bold and cinematic. For mystery with a sprinkling of humor and sunshine you can’t go wrong with the next in series for Jesse Q Sutanto (Four Aunties and a Wedding) or Mia P Manansala (Homicide and Halo-Halo). Nekesa Afia’s next in series, Harlem Sunset, is also out this year. I loved her debut Dead, Dead Girls. If you like romantic comedies, try Lynn Painter’s romcom Mr. Wrong Number or Amy Lea’s Set on You.
