An Interview With Robin Stevens

Robin Stevens is an award-winning author. She has written many books, including ‘The Murder Most Unladylike Series’ (which have sold tens of thousands of copies worldwide) and ‘The Guggenheim Mystery’. Her new book in ‘The Murder Most Unladylike Series’ is called ‘Top Marks For Murder'. I got the chance to interview her about her books and the inspirations for her books.

Robin Stevens (Photo by Max Von Seibold)

· What prompted you to start writing crime books?

I began to write them because I enjoy reading them so much! I love thinking about murder mystery plots - I'm fascinated by crime, and why people commit crimes - and so it's always easy and fun for me to write my own murder mystery stories.

· Why are you interested in writing crime books in the past?

I write my books about the 1930s partly because that was when a lot of my favourite crime writers (like Agatha Christie) became famous, but also because I think the past feels more made-up to us. I can get away with more frightening plots and more shocking twists because Daisy and Hazel's adventures don't feel as though they could happen in 2018. It feels a bit safer to readers today!

· How do you research for a new book?

I read books written in the 1930s - that really helps me get a sense of the way people spoke, and what they were interested in. I also read history books to find out who might have been in the place I'm writing about - and the answer is always a lot more interesting and diverse than I was expecting.

· Are any of the main protagonists based on yourself or any people you know?

Daisy and Hazel are both based on groups of friends I made at school. Hazel is also quite a bit based on myself when I was her age - I was shy and loved books just like she does!

· What is so interesting about the 1930s that made you chose it as the time period for your books?

It's just before World War 2 - a lot of really interesting, quite scary things were going on in the world, and that makes it a fascinating time to write about.

· Must there always be a happy ending?

For my books, yes! I like giving my readers the security of knowing that Daisy and Hazel will always solve the case. But of course, some of my happy endings are a bit bittersweet sometimes the murderers are quite close to the girls ...

· Have you ever considered writing a book with an unconventional ending?

I do as much as I can to fill my books with shocking twists - I hope that my endings are never expected by my readers. And who knows - one day I might write a really surprising ending!

· When are you planning on finishing the series?

I am planning at least two more books about Daisy and Hazel - but it's possible that I might write a lot more after that. My series is very open-ended, which I'm glad about!

· Who are your greatest literary influences?

For this series, Agatha Christie and Enid Blyton. I want to write books that seem a lot like theirs, but are also new and interesting.