We chat with author Emma Mason about Murder Most Haunted, which follows an unforgettable heroine who is faced with an unbelievable crime in this snarky, charming locked-room mystery that asks: would you rather be snowed-in with a ghost, or a murderer?
Hi, Emma! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello! I’m a mother of two, ex-police detective and avid owner of animals!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
From a very early age I loved to read and I used to make up conversations in my head between characters. From there it was a natural jump to writing short stories and then novels.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: it will definitely have been a famous five book. I inhaled those and had the entire collection.
- The one that made you want to become an author: A dog called kitty because it made me cry so much
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Anything with a good twist in it. The whisperer is a stand out one for me because I never saw it coming and it still sends chills
Your debut novel, Murder Most Haunted, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Spooky fun wrapped in blankets
What can readers expect?
A lot of laughs, tears and atmosphere
Where did the inspiration for Murder Most Haunted come from?
A trip to a tin mine on the moors in Cornwall
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved Midge. Her voice came before the story. She’s wonderfully complex despite seeming to be very simple
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Finding the time. I work full time and have a smallholding as well as the kids. I had to dedicate hours in the early morning, often writing in bed before everyone woke up.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
Very, very tough! I have been trying to get published for 20 years! The hardest thing was finding an agent. And then accepting that things don’t work straight away.
What’s next for you?
Book 2 for Midge is with the editor and I have a couple of middle grade children books coming out!
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
Anything by Claire Mackintosh. She was on my old police shift and our paths crossed a couple of times. She’s phenomenal
