The Publisher’s Proposal — Behind the Story

Following the lengthy production of “The Weaver’s Apprentice, …” my dad suggested that I try my hand at some other genre – for example writing a mystery short story.  For a very long time I had toyed with the idea of writing a locked-room mystery, so his idea fit in quite well with something I had already wanted to write.  Gauntlet thrown and challenge accepted!

Except, it was not that easy.

For weeks I walked around trying to come up with a plot, only to realize that writing a mystery is dang difficult.  I mean, like I’m not smart enough!

Thus “The Publisher’s Proposal” was born, a story about a writer who is struggling to write a mystery.  A bit meta, but it launched my fingers onto the keyboard.  I especially enjoyed the way I was able to twist the plot around, almost Colombo style!

I love reading mysteries and have consumed my fair share of Doyle and Christie.  From contemporary writers, I also have enjoyed Tana French’s work, especially the earlier books.  Most recently, I have consumed every mystery written by PJ Fitzsimmons who writes locked-room mysteries while channeling PG Wodehouse.  (The Case of the Case of Kilcladdich might be my favorite.  Until the next comes along.)

I hope that I have done justice to those literary giants of the genre (I hope you picked up a couple Easter egg references to them!) and written a worthy story.

I didn’t explicitly set the mystery in certain decade or region, but the details were meant to hint at mid-1950s England as a tip of the hat to both the British mystery authors and my family heritage.

Finally, I have also included a couple of Easter eggs just for my dad.  I think he knows them all and I hope he enjoys the nod in my writing he so well deserves.