Terry Ambrose

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NYT bestseller Laurie R. King discusses Dreaming Spies

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Dreaming SpiesSherlock Holmes is hot today. From TV and movies to novels and short stories, the famous sleuth remains ever-popular with readers and writers. Historical-fiction novelist Laurie R. King also caught the bug to write about the famous detective, but chose a different path. In this interview, the Edgar-winning author talks about her latest novel, “Dreaming Spies.”

The path chosen by King was not to write the typical Sherlock Holmes detective story, but to place Holmes in the position of companion detective as he works with his wife, Mary Russell. Fans of the series know that Mary met Sherlock Holmes when she was fifteen and became his student. Now, many years later, their relationship has matured into sleuthing peers who are also husband-and-wife.

“This is one novel that came out of my desire to go to a place, rather than my experiences with having gone there,” King said. “A couple of books ago, I planted a mention that the characters had stopped off in Japan to do a job for the Emperor—even though the then-Emperor was in no condition to be hiring stray detectives. That led me to Prince Regent Hirohito, Emperor in all but name.” King added that she wanted also to tie that clue in the 1924 adventure into the series timeline.

As a result of her urge to travel, “Dreaming Spies,” which takes place in 1925, is set in both Japan and Oxford. In addition to enjoying the use of fascinating settings, King also likes to play with issues in her stories. She described how those two interests have worked together to create a bestselling series.

“Because I love books with substance, and particularly because I’m a recovering academic, I like to set the adventures in a time and place that also lets me play with wider issues. ‘The Game’’ takes place in northern India where, a century later, the US is bogged down in the same war fought by the British Raj. ‘O Jerusalem’ looks at the decisions made by the British in Palestine, with results that we see on modern headlines. The ‘issues’ in ‘Dreaming Spies’ are less specific, but they are there, and center around the eternal questions of power and responsibilities.”

This self-proclaimed “recovering academic” enjoys writing the Mary Russell series for another reason. “Historical fiction holds up a fun-house mirror before the modern reader: we’re looking at ourselves, but with a twist—one that can reveal unsuspected truths. Yes, I write what Graham Greene called entertainments: my goal is a rousing good read, preferably in a colorful part of the world, often a suspense tale with my series characters, Mary Russell and her partner/husband, Sherlock Holmes.”

King isn’t completely immersed in the early 1900s, however. She has an unusual interest in toilets. She said, “I went to Japan with two friends who run a bookstore and a small press. Barbara Peters from Poisoned Pen and I just fell in love with the stunning variety, attention, and individuality found in Japanese toilets and restrooms. So much so that she and I ended up writing an illustrated toilet-based travelogue, ‘Not in Kansas Any More, TOTO’.”

In addition to an Edgar, King also has an honorary doctorate in Theology. It should come as no surprise that a writer of King’s caliber puts that to use also. “A number of my books contain religious ideas and institutions. Since murder—fictional or not—is driven by passion—and is there anything more passionately fought over than religious beliefs? Too, my academic background is in Old Testament, which is not only all about stories, but stories where small phrases or omissions can be as weighty as the clues in a mystery novel.”

King says it’s amazing how often the characters in her books share her interests. Extraordinary coincidences? Or well planned? Only King knows for sure, but her fans certainly relish the overlap. They also send her mail that reflects how closely the identify her with her characters.

Readers find it easy to confuse author and character,” King said. “When I wrote a novel with the injured protagonist suffering from headaches, I got a lot of sympathy letters about the migraines I clearly had. And I often have people say they’re surprised that I don’t have an English accent. So let me say straight out: I am not Mary Russell. She’s a whole lot brighter and infinitely more competent.”

More information

To learn more about Laurie R. King, visit her website at laurierking.com.

Book & a Latte Contest

What: This month, Laurie is giving away two hardcover copies of “Dreaming Spies” and I’m adding two $5.00 Starbucks gift cards. Two random entries will be chosen as winners. Each winner will receive a book and a gift card.

How to enter: Choose one or more of the options below. Each option gives you an additional chance to win.

Who can enter: This contest is only open to continental US residents over 18 years of age.

When: Contest closes at 12:00 a.m., March 15. Winners will be selected on Sunday, March 16.

Verification of entries: All winning entries are subject to verification. Winners must claim prizes with 5 days.

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About Terry

I started out as a skip tracer. Just in case you don’t know, that’s the guy who finds the people who don’t want to be found. It was the little things—getting paid to lie—that made skip tracing the fun part of the job.

Those years of chasing deadbeats taught me many valuable life lessons, such as liars come from all walks of life, and always keep your car in the garage.

Find me on: Amazon Bookbub Instagram Facebook

Reader Interactions

Comments

  7. Michelle Fidler says

    An original series. I like Sherlock Holmes and have read all of the original canon so now I like to read Sherlock books by other authors. The toilet part was interesting!

  12. librarypat says

    How can we read your travelogue “Not in Kansas anymore, TOTO.” I was in the Peace Corps and traveled a little bit while in SE Asia. I hadn’t really thought of it, but one does tend to react to and remember how different bathrooms and toilet facilities are around the world.
    I look forward to reading DREAMING SPIES.

  16. Glenda S. Hefty says

    A great interview! Definitely sounds intriguing and a different approach to Sherlock Holmes…

  19. Patricia Cochran says

    Interesting angle in Dreaming Spies: Mary Russell as the “lead detective” and Sherlock
    Holmes as her assistant. Enjoyed the interview, Toilets?

  22. Janice Milliken says

    Reading the interview peaks my interest in “Dreaming Spies”. Now I have to read it!

  26. KarenM says

    Almost as interesting as toilets are showers – no two are ever alike in Europe it seems, particularly Italy.

  27. Cynthia E. Blain says

    I love when an interview is special such as this one, and when I learn something new about any author and the author’s books, all of which I found to be so in this blog post. I am losing my vision and so have to pick and choose what things I read online and I always try to get to this page each time as there is so much valuable information. I am looking forward to ordering Laurie King’s book and I know that both my husband and I will both enjoy it. Thank you for keeping us abreast of what is best in the literary world.
    Sincerely,
    Cynthia B

    • admin says

      Thanks so much, Cynthia. I really appreciate that you continue to follow my interviews even though it’s becoming difficult for you to see them. I hope your vision lasts as long as possible so you can continue reading.

  29. Debbie Warila says

    I enjoyed this interview, especially the part about how the author wrote out of a desire to travel to a particular place but had not done so yet.

    • admin says

      You’re right, Debbie, the fact that she hadn’t been there, but wanted to write about it, just shows what you can do when you become interested in a subject or place.

  32. Daniele K says

    I have enjoyed all of the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books and cannot wait to read this one.

  36. Marcy X says

    i have this one on my wish list. I liked the idea of the couple and also that it is not primary in London.

  37. Nancy says

    I’d merely heard this author’s name but just did a quick perusal of her works. I’d love to start with this one, thanks.

  39. l p says

    Mary Russell is a new author to me. Loved the interview. Now I’m really looking forward to reading her latest and then the ones that come before. Thanks.

  40. susan beamon says

    I have enjoyed Mary Russell since I read The Game, a copy of which I had received from a First Reader for reader review way back when.

  41. Laura G. says

    I’m so glad you did this interview. I didn’t know that there was a new Mary Russell book!

  51. Anita Yancey says

    I enjoyed the interview, and the book sounds fantastic. Thanks for having the giveaway.

  53. Joye says

    I am always looking for new authors to read. This book sounds like the kind I enjoy reading.

  54. rhianona says

    Having read your interview, I’m now more inclined to give this a try. I am not quite a purist when it comes to incorporating a character created by another author into a book (I quite enjoy the cameos by Holmes into the Arsene Lupin books) but I am wary to see it, especially given the craze there is towards Holmes. This though, looks like an interesting series and mary sounds like a fun character.

    • admin says

      Thanks for reading, Rhianna. I agree about the use of characters by other authors. It’s a difficult task to pull off and do well. In this case, however, it works and readers love it. That’s one reason I was so happy to have Laurie as a guest.

  55. Carol Smith says

    Very interesting interview. This is a to be read book for my list. Thanks for the chance to win.

  57. Vicki H says

    I have never read any of her books but think I’ll have to check her books on Amazon out. I am sure I would enjoy them. Thank you!

  59. sallycootie says

    I love this perspective of the Sherlock Holmes storyline. And the travelogue about the toilets has me very curious. Thanks for the giveaway.