Q&A WITH JANICE FROST
Where did the idea to start the book during Halloween season originate from?
The decision was partly to do with timing. I wanted to begin the action in the fourth book a few months after the end of book three. Having decided on October, it was an easy next step to choose Halloween.
The opening scene begins with a bit of banter between Jane and her colleague, Tim, and a call out to deal with a silly prank, but by the end of the night, two women have been brutally attacked, one of them murdered. The light-hearted opening, followed by the gruesome murder combines the elements of Halloween that we all love — fun and horror. Plus, my killer was able to flee the scene of the crime and hide in plain sight, dressed as Dracula on the one night of the year when it's possible to do that without attracting attention.
Which book out of the series have you enjoyed writing the most?
I would have to say Murder on a Country Walk. It doesn’t delve into weighty social issues like the three previous books in the series, so I didn’t have to do any unpleasant research. Additionally, the first three books were concerned with building up the characters. With this latest outing, I’d spent enough time in Jane and Steph’s heads to know them quite well, which meant that I — and the characters could relax a bit and have more fun.
Do you have any plans for what might be in store for Warwick and Bell in the future?
I started the series with quite a clear vision for the two lead characters. They would both be women. Each would be at a different stage of their lives, and they would have very different personalities. They would dislike each other to begin with — each would be perplexed by the other, yet, weirdly, they’d be drawn to one another.
I always envisaged their relationship changing and developing over the course of the series. At first, they would rely on Elias Harper to act as a bridge between them, but over time they would learn to trust and respect one another’s differences. I think they’ll be a bit like magnets attracting and repelling each other as they feel their way to a prickly but solid friendship. Maybe! As an author, I’m a pantster, which means I don’t plan too far ahead.
As for what Steph and Jane get up to in future books, that’s also up for grabs! One thing — in the follow-up to Murder on a Country Walk, Jane is mulling over whether to apply for fast-track detective training. She’ll need to make up her mind quickly as she’s not getting any younger. Whatever she decides, I think she’ll become more addicted to solving mysteries. As for Steph, I see her continuing on her path of self-healing — but I can’t promise it will be a smooth journey.
What book are you currently reading?
The book I'm reading currently is The Hunter by Tana French, a favourite author of mine. I pre-ordered the book to receive it on publication day but, unfortunately, I’d forgotten I had another book to read first for my book group. The pleasure of reading it now is all the better for having been delayed.