My guest today is Author Cynthia Kuhn who writes the Lila Maclean Academic Mystery series. I just started The Study of Secrets this afternoon, and will probably be up all night, the story is that good, the writing is that compelling. Please welcome Cynthia Kuhn to Help From My Friends Friday! ~ Donnell
By Cynthia Kuhn:
The fifth book in the Lila Maclean Academic Mystery series.
The Study of Secrets, focuses on the unveiling of various secrets, particularly those that surround one character: Isabella Dare. When I was first writing the series, I wanted Isabella to be an unknown author. Her biography, therefore, was left intentionally vague. I thought all I’d have to explain was that our protagonist Lila loved her books and wanted to introduce them to other people.
But I was completely wrong.
As the series went on, Isabella began to move into the spotlight, defining herself in ways that I hadn’t anticipated.
Surprise!
In book one, she appears as the subject of Lila’s dissertation. I initially described Isabella’s writing as a combination of Agatha Christie and Shirley Jackson, but with a twist. That sounded like the kind of intriguing author that our mystery-loving English-professor-sleuth would want to spend years of her life writing about.
Years and years, honestly.
In books two and three, Lila is revising her dissertation into a critical study of Isabella’s work to submit for publication, so it was necessary to determine what Isabella’s books were actually about, come up with titles that sounded like a legitimate series—even celebrate Isabella’s gifts at creating suspense, which is so potent that Lila is anxious about what’s behind a door in one book even though she’s read it before and already knows.
Pause for chills.
By the fourth book, Lila is presenting on Isabella’s work at a conference when she discovers that someone else is working on Isabella too, which threatens both her mission and her job (she needs to publish or perish, in academic parlance) and puts Isabella firmly at the center of the conflict.
In more ways that one.
Then in book five, Lila learns all about Isabella’s backstory.There are indeed secrets galore—not only about her but about the people in her life. And I’ll confess that as I drafted the book, I had to rewrite and rewrite until I finally landed upon the kind of setting that seemed authentic for her: a quirky Victorian mansion.
Nothing less would do.
I never would have guessed, when I was writing that first book, that Isabella would come to have such a powerful presence in the series. This may sound odd, but it felt as though she revealed more and more about herself as the series continued. At her own speed. Which may sound inexplicable, but sometimes writing can be inexplicable.
About the Book: There could be nowhere more fitting for English professor Lila Maclean to spend her sabbatical than in a proper Victorian mansion. The whimsical Callahan House seems to have materialized from the pages of the mystery novels she is researching, with its enchanting towers, cozy nooks, and charming library. Unfortunately, it also features a body in the study. Residents of Larkston have long believed that the Callahan family is cursed—the murder on the estate sets the town buzzing. Wild rumors are fueled by a gossipy blogger who delights in speculation, and further crimes only intensify the whispers and suspicions. A newly discovered manuscript, however, appears to expose startling facts beneath the fictions. When Lila steps in to sort the truth from the lies, it may cost her everything, as someone wants to make dead certain that their secrets stay hidden.- – – – – – – – – – – – -THE STUDY OF SECRETS by Cynthia Kuhn | A Henery Press Mystery. If you like one, you’ll probably like them all.
About the Author: Cynthia Kuhn is an English professor and author of the Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries. Her work has also appeared in Mystery Most Edible, McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Copper Nickel, Prick of the Spindle, Mama PhD, and other publications. Honors for the series include an Agatha Award (best first novel), a William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Grant, and Lefty Award nominations (best humorous mystery). Originally from upstate New York, she lives in Colorado with her family.
Website: cynthiakuhn.net
Twitter: @cynthiakuhn
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cynthiakuhnwriter
I loved this book, the wonderful Victorian mansion, and especially getting to know the mysterious Isabella Dare! Cynthia, in the first book, you had me so convinced she was real, I’ll confess I Googled her name to check.
Nora, I couldn’t agree more. I related so much to Lila and Isabella Dare–three dimensional and great storytelling.
Thank you so much for having me as a guest today, Donnell–incredibly kind of you!
And oh, thank you, Ann! Quite a few people have told me that they Googled her, so you’re not alone. What a lovely thing to hear, honestly.
Oops, I meant to say Nora, not Ann! (Pre-coffee comment, sorry!)
LOL. I often have that feeling of suspense when reading a book I have read before. If it’s a new book and I worry about what will happen next, I skim ahead, hoping to figure out what’s coming while avoiding the full emotional impact. Then I can reread that part without such a case of nerves. 🙂
That’s the sign of a great book if you know what’s going to happen and you still worry! Great to see you, Barbara!
Hi Barbara: Wow, I have never thought of that strategy! Thank you for the comment.
Hi, my friends! So good to see you today. And Cynthia, that cover is just fabulous. I remember when your first came out and now you are on your fifth. That’s freakin awesome. Hugs to you both! vb
Hi Vicki: Aw, thanks so much–I can’t believe how fast time has flown, either. Big hugs back to you!!
I’m turning pages of The Study of Secrets, enjoying Lila in a non-campus setting, and envying her months in a mystery author’s mansion. I admire the way you create a fresh “village” for each of your mysteries. How clever that Isabella has kept her secret from all of her secret-keeping buddies all these years. That’s tension waiting to explode. Kudos!
Sounds like my cup of tea. So I’ve just bought the first in the series.
Hi Kate–thank you so much for giving it a read and for the kind words! (I am envying her months in a mystery author’s mansion too. Ooh, maybe we could attend a conference in such a place someday?!)
Susan, I hope you enjoy–thanks for giving the series a try!
And one last time: thanks, Donnell, for your gracious hosting and reading too! What a great blog!
Cynthia, you are most welcome. I am living vicariously through your terrific characters. I am working on my own novel, but look forward to escaping in the evening with Lila and Isabella Dare! Ingenious, my dear!