by Sandra Murphy

This week we have a review of The Puzzle of Blackstone Lodge along with an interesting interview with the author Martin Edwards. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

The Puzzle of Blackstone Lodge by Martin Edwards
Review by Sandra Murphy

Nell Fagan is a reporter and a darn good one. Sadly, she lacks the social skills to stay employed. A big story will fix that and she’s on the trail of a blockbuster.

Hundreds of years ago, a man was seen entering a building. The door was locked behind him but when others went in, it was empty. There was only one door, so what happened? In more recent history, less than twenty years ago, the same thing happened. To find out how the men disappeared would be just the story to get Nell another job. In addition, there are other deaths that seem more convenient than natural. They occurred at a sanatorium, under the care of a doctor. The families weren’t shocked, in fact, might have been relieved. Yes, there are stories to be found at Blackstone Lodge.

To make sure she’s on the right track, Nell enlists the help of Rachel Savernake, or at least tries to intrigue Rachel. In that regard, her plan works. Rachel is intrigued but isn’t interested in partnering with Nell. An attempt on Nell’s life, followed by her disappearance, is enough for Rachel and her friends to take on the case, or cases, as it were.

The story is set in the 1930s Golden Age but the time period blended with the story so well, it wasn’t noticeable. There are a number of characters to keep track of—a clairvoyant and her deaf manservant, a widower, an abusive minister, a doctor whose main prescription is bed rest and a good night’s sleep, a friendly barmaid, and more. Sometimes the character is called by a first name, sometimes by the last name. There are mysteries within mysteries so pay close attention because the bodies are dropping fast.
This is book three in the series but the first one I’ve read. Rachel is a likable character, distant to some, secretive to most, and always willing to take a risk. She’s annoying to those who would want to know her better but not enough for them to walk away. She’s a fascinating woman at a time when it wasn’t fashionable to do so.

Take a trip to a small English village in the 30s and a mystery filled with twists and turns.

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She’s editor for Peace, Love, and Crime: Crime Stories Inspired by the Songs of the ’60s, with twenty-two cozy stories. She also edited A Murder of Crows, twenty-one stories featuring animals and crime (no animals were harmed). She also writes for magazines, newsletters, and the occasional guest blog. Both anthologies are available at the usual outlets, print or ebook.

Interview with Martin Edwards:

KRL: How long have you been writing?

Martin: Since I was a small boy. I still have mystery stories I wrote when I was ten. They were never published, thankfully…

KRL: When did your first novel come out, what was it called, and would you tell us a little about it?

Martin: All the Lonely People was published in 1991 and was the first of eight books featuring the Liverpool lawyer Harry Devlin, who also appeared in short stories in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and elsewhere. In the story, Harry investigates the murder of his estranged wife Liz, but finds that he is the prime suspect. The book was nominated for the John Creasey Memorial Dagger for best first crime novel – the year that Walter Mosley won it for Devil in a Blue Dress. So, an exciting start…

Martin Edwards

KRL: Have you always written mysteries/suspense and if not, what else have you written?

Martin: I’ve always written mysteries, but I’ve written a few short stories in the supernatural and horror fields. I’ve also published a great deal of non-fiction, including two books which won Edgar awards, The Golden Age of Murder and The Life of Crime.

KRL: What brought you to choose the setting and characters in your latest book/series?

Martin: I began with a character, Rachel Savernake, who fascinated me. I’ve always loved Golden Age detective fiction and this series pays tribute to the Golden Age while trying to add a few extra ingredients, including psychological depth. I wrote the first book, Gallows Court, without a contract, because I wanted to experiment with something fairly original. Thankfully, it all worked out and the Rachel Savernake books have sold around the world.

KRL: Do you write to entertain or is there something more you want the readers to experience from your work?

Martin: Entertainment is the key, but I think there are several layers to my novels, for readers who are interested in delving deeper. So, the pressures on rural English society in my Lake District Mysteries and the social issues of the 1930s, some of which authors of that time were not able to address in their fiction.

KRL: Do you outline? If not, do you have some other interesting way that you keep track of what’s going on, or what needs to happen in your book when you are writing it?

Martin: It depends on the novel. Most of my books are outlined to some extent, but Gallows Court, the first Rachel Savernake novel, wasn’t (which meant it took a long time to get it right!) But I make many changes to the original plan while I’m writing. The more recent Rachel Savernake books are very complex mysteries, with Cluefinders at the end, so they do require quite a lot of planning. I always try to have a flexible mindset.

KRL: Did you find it difficult to get published in the beginning?

Martin: Yes and no. I dreamed of becoming a published crime writer from being a small boy. But I was afraid of rejection. So, I didn’t submit a novel until I was really confident of its quality – that book was All the Lonely People. An agent accepted it and found a publisher – it took quite a long time but at least I didn’t suffer endless rejections.

KRL: Do you have a great rejection/critique or acceptance story you’d like to share?

Martin: The publisher who took on my first book was a very pleasant woman with whom I’m still friendly. However, she hated my sixth novel, The Devil in Disguise, which was more Golden Age orientated than the earlier books. This was at a time when the Golden Age was less fashionable than it is today. She wrote a rejection letter that, I must say, was brutal in the extreme, but my agent found another publisher who offered more money and a two-book contact, so all was well in the end.

The lesson I take from that experience is that one really must believe in what one is writing. It’s good to be edited, but self-belief is crucial. Much as I love publishers, I write for myself, not for them. I believe that if I really love a book, it increases the chances that it will have genuine quality. This philosophy hasn’t always worked in the short term, but in the long term, it has served me pretty well.

KRL: Most interesting book signing story-in a bookstore or other venue?

Martin: When my first novel was published in paperback, the publishers’ rep took me around the bookshops to signings. I asked for his advice about what I could do to improve my books. He said, ‘It’s all about the cover, Martin, not what’s inside.’ Very crushing, but regrettably I’ve realised there is some truth in it, from a commercial perspective. Of course, I care very much what is inside the book.

KRL: Ah but a great cover won’t save a bad book in the long run. What are your future writing goals?

Martin: I’ve been writing for a long time, but I believe I’m continuing to improve, and I want to do so. I also want to continue to try new things as a writer and keep fresh and energised. So far, so good!

KRL: Who are your writing heroes?

Martin: There are many, but they include Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Ruth Rendell, Reginald Hill, Peter Lovesey, and…well, the list goes on.

KRL: What kind of research do you do?

Martin: A great deal! I research locations as well as all the historical details relevant to the Rachel Savernake series. We all make mistakes, but it’s important to try to get the little things right as well as the big things such as plausible characterisation and strong plotting.

KRL: What do you like to read?

Martin: Mainly crime, but some Victorian fiction. I’m currently reading Ann Cleeves and some older books by writers like Shelley Smith and Pamela Branch.

KRL: What are your favourite TV shows or movies?

Martin: I was a big fan of the Scottish TV series Taggart, which was an influence on the early Harry Devlin novels, and Jonathan Creek and Inspector Morse. In terms of movies, Body Heat is a brilliant crime movie. I do enjoy modern shows and movies but it’s easier to judge things after some time has elapsed.

KRL: Have you any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?

Martin: Write what you believe, not what publishers tell you to write, and keep at it! In fact, I do run an online crime writing course for people who are serious about writing crime, at www.craftingcrime.com.

KRL: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

Martin: I was born in the same hospital in Cheshire as the songwriter and crime writer Rupert Holmes.

KRL: Is there anything you would like to add?

Martin: When I think of that small boy who dreamed of becoming a crime writer, I wonder what he’d have made of what was to come. Sometimes it feels I’ve been much luckier than I deserve, but among the many privileges of the writing life is the chance to connect with readers around the world, something I love doing. There are so many nice people out there, and it’s always a joy to share one’s passion for writing.

KRL: Website? Twitter? Facebook? Instagram?

Martin: martinedwardsbooks.com
Facebook: facebook.com/MartinEdwardsBooks
@MartinEdwardsBooks
@medwardsbooks

To enter to win a copy of The Puzzle of Blackstone Lodge, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “puzzle” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen August 19, 2023. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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