We chat with author Emily Sullivan about A Death On Corfu, which follows widow Minnie Harper who is living in Greece at the turn of the twentieth century and struggling to find her place in a swiftly changing world. But when a local woman is murdered, her resolve is put to the test in a race to shed light on the truth . . .
Hi, Emily! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello! I am a lifelong New Englander who writes historical romance and mysteries set in the late Victorian period. When I’m not reading or writing, I love to spend time with my family, bake cookies, and work on my very small garden.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I don’t actually remember a time when I didn’t love writing. It was just something I did even as a little kid. Then at some point I must have realized that I could be an author when I grew up and here we are!
Your latest novel, A Death on Corfu, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Plucky widow solves a murder.
What can readers expect?
I love writing strong-willed heroines and Minnie Harper, my protagonist, is no exception. I think this book has a little bit of everything: humor, intrigue, family dynamics, long-buried secrets, and, of course, a touch of romance. It is also set on Corfu, so there are some Mediterranean island vibes as well.
Where did the inspiration for A Death on Corfu come from?
I had wanted to write a mystery series about a widow who becomes an amateur detective for a long time, so for a while it was just a vague idea in the back of my head. But one day I read a snippet about British people holidaying on a very small Greek island and thought that would make a good setting for a book. Then I thought it could work for my mystery and the idea just snowballed from there. Eventually, I chose to set the book on Corfu in part because I was inspired by the PBS series The Durrells in Corfu and the island’s history as a British protectorate.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
This is my first novel set entirely in first-person POV, which was so fun to write, and I especially loved being able to do a deep-dive into Minnie’s character.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge currently is having enough time to work because I have a very busy preschooler. I’ve found that the best thing for me is to set a weekly word goal to work towards so I stay on track and meet my deadlines.
Can you tell us a bit about your research process?
One of my favorite sources to use when I’m researching are old guidebooks. They are filled with all kinds of useful details that can help set the scene as well as logistical things like travel times and modes of transportation. They also contain really great descriptions of sights and scenery that I can’t find anywhere else and show what kinds of things would be of interest to tourists during that time.
I also love to find primary sources written by people who actually lived through whatever era I’m writing about, whether it’s diary entries, memoirs, or even newspaper articles. I find that there is often a marked difference between how we imagine people from the past and what they were actually like. I love discovering those points of commonality as well as the unexpected.
What’s next for you?
I am finishing up Minnie Harper #2 and then need to start plotting my next historical romance!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
So many! Liana De La Rosa’s Gabriella and The Duke, Alexis Daria’s Along Came Amor, and Ashley Weaver’s final Electra McDonnell mystery One Final Turn and Sherry Thomas’ newest mystery, The Librarians.
