1--What is the title of your latest release?
OF MANNERS AND MURDER
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
When Violet’s aunt absconds with her newest paramour, she leaves her role as “Miss Hermione,” in Violet’s hands and Violet quickly discovers that when you represent the best-loved Agony Aunt in the Empire, manners—and murder—are all in a day’s work.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
Agony Aunts (we call them advice columnists in the US) have a long history, but since I’m especially interested in Victorian England, I knew that’s where and when I wanted my story to take place.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Yes. When Violet’s not sleuthing, she’s writing. And when she’s not writing, she’s reading or visiting museums. We have a lot in common and would have a whole lot to talk about.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
She says it herself in the opening lines of the book: “I Violet Manville, am level-headed. Commonsensical. Well-ordered of both habit and mind.”
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
There’s always so much I learn from each book I write! With “Of Manners and Murder” that included the rules of Victorian shooting parties, the effects of rat poison, and how mills were built and operated. And of course, all the information about Agony Aunts.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I edit as I go.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Indulgence? Not sure I have one, though I am partial to homemade hot cocoa.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I have an office filled (probably too filled) with all the things I love. My desk and my computer, of course, as well as a pen for Tequila (a Russell Terrier who cannot be left to roam the house on her own), my ukulele, and my vast array of genealogy references. Three of the walls in here are purple. The fourth is orange. That tells you something about my favorite holiday.
10--Who is an author you admire?
There are so many! If I had to pick one, it would be Elizabeth Peters.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
Yes, “Game of Kings” by Dorothy Dunnett.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
This book? Or my first book? (That first book was 65 books ago!) Either way, the moment is always the same—joy at having made the sale, relief at not having to worry that a great story will never get told, trepidation that now, the words—all those words—need to be written.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Mystery
14--What’s your favorite movie?
Casablanca
15--What is your favorite season?
Fall/Halloween
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
It’s in January, so here in Ohio, it’s usually too cold to do much of anything. We generally stay in and stay warm, then celebrate six months later. My ideal summer celebration? Poking around in historic cemeteries.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
The latest great book I read is called “American Demon” by Daniel Stashower, nonfiction, the story of the Cleveland Torso Murders back in the 30s. Fascinating stuff.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Not sure I have a favorite though I must say, Polish food is delicious!
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I knit, weave, spin, crochet. Very relaxing and meditative.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
Book #2 in the Dear Miss Hermione Mystery series will be out next year. No title yet, but I can promise plenty more Agony Aunt intrigue and adventure.
A Dear Miss Hermione Mystery
Of Manners and Murder is the first in the delightful new Dear Miss Hermione mystery series from Anastasia Hastings.
1885: London, England. When Violet's Aunt Adelia decides to abscond with her newest paramour, she leaves behind her role as the most popular Agony Aunt in London, "Miss Hermione," in Violet's hands.
And of course, the first letter Violet receives is full, not of prissy pondering, but of portent. Ivy Armstrong is in need of help and fears for her life. But when Violet visits the village where the letters were posted, she finds that Ivy is already dead.
She'll quickly discover that when you represent the best-loved Agony Aunt in Britain, both marauding husbands and murder are par for the course.
Mystery Historical [Minotaur Books, On Sale: February 7, 2023, Paperback, ISBN: 9781250848567 / ]
ANASTASIA HASTINGS is a penname for Connie Laux who has, over a thirty-year career, published 65 novels in a number of different genres and under a number of names.
She began her career writing historical romance, and has also written contemporary romance, YA, and a children's book. Over fifteen years ago, she set her sights on writing in her favorite genre, mystery, and since then has published 30+ mysteries for Minotaur and Penguin Random House.
As Kylie Logan, she wrote the Jazz Ramsey books for Minotaur as well as a number of cozy mysteries for Berkley, including the League of Literary Ladies series, the Ethnic Eats series, and the Button Box mysteries. She's also written the Haunted Mansion mysteries as Lucy Ness and the Love is Murder mysteries (set in a romance bookstore) as Mimi Granger. As Casey Daniels, she authored the Pepper Martin mysteries, a series in which she put her knowledge of old cemeteries and the paranormal to good use.
She is a Sherlock Holmes devotee, a Victorian England aficionado, and she enjoys learning about history as it applies to the everyday lives of the people who lived it. Connie learned to love mysteries at an early age thanks to her dad who was a Cleveland Police detective. He not only introduced her to the Holmes stories, he took her along on his days off and they went in search of stolen cars.
Connie lives outside of Cleveland with her husband, David, and her Airedale, Eliot Ness, who is a ribbon-winning show dog when he's outside and a couch potato when he's home.
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