We chat with author Susan Dennard about The Executioners Three, which is a mystery filled with rivalry, romance, best friends, and a gruesome curse that dates back centuries.
Hi, Susan! Your latest novel, The Executioners Three, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
90s vibes cozy horror romance!
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing Freddie. She is just SUCH a fun, cheeky voice—and so confident in herself. She has no embarrassment about who she is or her desire to be The Very Best Detective Indeed. Plus, her banter with her best friend, Divya, was an absolute delight to explore!
With it set in the 90s, what are three 90s-set movies, TV shows or books you love?
Well, definitely the classic 90s horror are always a must recommendation—as well ase the classic 90s teen romcoms. Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, She’s All That, or Never Been Kissed.
)Did I mash Freddie Prinze Jr. together with Sarah Michelle Gellard to name my heroine? You bet.)
This is your first standalone novel! Was your approach or planning any different than your previous releases?
Not really. It took me 14 years between starting it (2011) and finally seeing it hit shelves because it was a “dabble every autumn when I want the fall vibes” book. But my process is always driven by character and voice—where do they take me? What do they desperately desire and what’s in their way?
What’s next for you?
I have the final Witchlands book, Witchlight, hitting stores on November 4! It’s a beast, and I am so proud of it. The culmination of a six-book series with seven core POVs, a sweeping landscapes, and so many earned plot payoffs…
I can’t wait for fans to finally get to read it!
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
As a fantasy lover, I have really enjoyed Daniel Abraham’s Kithamar Trilogy—of which only the first two are out. I am absolutely feral waiting for the final installment! It’s such brilliant plotting and character work.
