We chat to author Victoria Helen Stone about At The Quiet Edge, which follows a young mother who has done everything possible to put the past behind her, but it might not be enough in this gripping novel of suspense.
Hi, Victoria! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I live in the mountains of Utah where it is STILL snowing despite what the calender says, and I write novels of emotional suspense centered on women’s lives. I love diving deep into family secrets. I’m fascinated by the idea that you can dig into almost anyone’s past and discover scandals or darkness that even they might not know about.
How has the start of 2022 been for you?
Busy! I’m just finishing up another manuscript while celebrating the release of AT THE QUIET EDGE, so mostly it’s been a whirlwind, if a whirlwind can be bottled up in my office with no escape from the storm. But it’s been hopeful as well, despite some of the nightly news. We’re finally doing a few roadtrips and getting back out into the world, and in between the spring snowstorms there are lovely seventy degree days.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
As far as I can remember I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I grew up surrounded by books, thanks to my mom, and I started writing my first (terrible) book around age twelve. I majored in business at college and worked at financial institutions until I started writing full-time. It’s been an amazing journey since then. I started out writing romance and switched to suspense just a few years ago!
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!
As a good Gen-Xer, of course I remember reading FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC. But I think my first formative read was probably the CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR series. Such an amazing saga centered on a woman moving through different stages of her life. It didn’t hurt that I’ve always adored history.
Your latest novel, At the Quiet Edge, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Spooky, intense, heartfelt, fun, emotional.
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect to be dropped into the lives of single mom Lily and her 12-year-old son, Everett, who live in an apartment attached to a storage facility in the middle of nowhere. Be prepared for spooky nights, mysterious intruders, five missing women, and a million secrets.
Where did the inspiration for At the Quiet Edge come from?
My teenage son came home from his job at a local pizza shop and said he’d dropped off a co-worker at a storage facility where he lived with his family. I was stunned and very, very intrigued by the idea of living in an isolated business park. It was pretty easy to think of scary situations from there!
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
The biggest challenge was tearing apart my first draft to add in a new subplot and rearrange the chapters. I had about ten feet of notecards laid out trying to keep track of when things happened and where they should be after changes. It was maddening! But I worked through three full revisions with my editors and I absolutely love how this story turned out.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I’ve never written from a kid’s point-of-view before, so I was surprised I had an absolute blast writing Everett. Twelve is such a great age. They’re still little children but they are trying so hard for independence and maturity. Both of my sons are adults now, but writing AT THE QUIET EDGE took me back to that great age of trying out a few cuss words on friends and learning to navigate difficult things when you don’t want to ask for help.
What do you love about the mystery and thriller genre?
I am there for the full ride with the characters. I’m not a reader who tries to figure out what’s going to happen in the end or how the mystery gets solved. I want to soak up the experience from each protagonist’s point of view. I want to imagine what it’s like to be going through terrifying situations without knowing the full scope of the truth. I’m fascinated by secrets, and I love uncovering layer after layer as I read.
What’s next for you?
I just finished my first draft of a new novel called THE HOOK. It’s about four strangers who join a women’s boxing class taught by a magnetic instructor who convinces them their lives can be improved by secretly helping each other. It’s all vengeful fun and games until someone winds up dead.
Lastly, do you have any 2022 book recommendations for our readers?
I’m currently enjoying an advance copy of HALF SISTERS by Virginia Franken, I can’t wait to start THE REPLACEMENT WIFE by Darby Kane, and I loved the genre-bending SORROWLAND by Rivers Solomon.
