Susan Elia MacNeal is the author of The New York Times and USA Today-bestselling Maggie Hope mysteries. Her first book in the series, Mr. Churchill’s Secretary, was nominated for an Edgar and won the 2013 Barry Award for Best Paperback Original. In this interview, MacNeal discusses her latest book in the Maggie Hope mysteries, Mrs. Roosevelt’s Confidante, and what drove her to bring her protagonist, Maggie Hope, back to her native US.
“Winston Churchill, of course, went to Washington, D.C. after the attack on Pearl Harbor to meet with President Roosevelt,” said MacNeal. “I thought—what a great opportunity to get Maggie Hope back to the U.S.! We finally get to meet Aunt Edith, as well as see Brits David Greene and John Sterling as fish out of water for a change—which was fun. And Eleanor Roosevelt is one of my personal heroes, so it was an honor and a privilege to learn more about her. And of course, Maggie Hope would have admired her as well and jumped at the chance to work with her.
“In terms of the mystery, I was fascinated that FDR had secretly allowed telephone tapping and other security measures that violated privacy. We as a country just went through the same thing with the revelations of Edward Snowden and the NSA. Everything old is new again when it comes to the debate of national security vs. individual privacy. And I thought it would be fun to add that element to the book.”
Many of us think of ‘civil rights’ as something from the 1960s, but really, it began as soon as the Civil War ended.
MacNeal, who says her primary goal is to always tell a good story, saw an opportunity to tell another story within the book. She said, “I wanted to address the issue of segregation in the U.S. in 1941. I do that with Maggie Hope and Eleanor Roosevelt’s involvement in trying to stop the execution of Wendell Cotton, a young Black sharecropper. I was moved to write about it by the actual trial of Odell Waller and the involvement of NAACP activist Pauli Murray, who really did try to get Mrs. Roosevelt to use her influence to save a man’s life.
“Many of us think of ‘civil rights’ as something from the 1960s, but really, it began as soon as the Civil War ended. Great strides were being made in the 1930s and up until Pearl Harbor. President Roosevelt had an opportunity to integrate the military going into World War II—and chose not to. The fight for civil rights was shelved until after the war was won, causing real setbacks.”
Along with her interest in history and civil rights, MacNeal’s travels around the world have helped the Maggie Hope mysteries. She’s visited Japan, South Africa, Nigeria, Palestine, and Pakistan. In part, those trips were possible because her husband Noel MacNeal is a puppeteer who worked for Sesame Street, the Muppets, and Disney’s Bear in the Big blue House. When husband Noel went on those long business trips, MacNeal—and, of course, Maggie—tagged along.
MacNeal said she lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and is surrounded by writers and other artists. She describes where she lives as an “amazing experience.” She’s also quite a Bills and Sabres fan.
Of course, darling—have your people call my people.
One of MacNeal’s resources for information about the World War II era was her mother-in-law. In social media, she often referred to something “Miss Edna” had told her and described one of those conversations. “Before I started writing Mrs. Roosevelt’s Confidante, my mother-in-law, Edna MacNeal, moved in with us due to declining mobility. I loved having her around, and was able to ask her a lot of questions about her experiences during World War II and about segregation and civil rights. I remember sitting next to her on the sofa and asking her if she would mind helping with the book, and her reply was, ‘Of course, darling—have your people call my people.’
“Alas, she died before the book was finished. Writing through her last illnesses and death was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. But I finished and dedicated the book to her—and I hope that maybe, somewhere, she’s proud.”
Want to know more about Susan Elia MacNeal? Visit her cool website at SusanEliaMacNeal.com.
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Would love to read this book, I have always been interested in historical stories.
Have always loved Eleanor Roosevelt. Would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance
Sounds like a great and interesting read. Thanks for the giveaway.
Marilyn
Sounds like a very interesting read. Mrs. Roosevelt had some WV ties as well. Can’t wait to read this.
Great article, I also write about this era and am looking forward to reading the book. Great cover also.
I see these all the time at mylibrary, guess its time to check one out! 🙂
enjoy your books
I normally don’t read WWII era stories but I love Eleanor Roosevelt. Sounds like a good story & I love the cover.
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
This sounds like a fascinating read. I will have to check out this series. Thanks!
WW II was again the war to end all wars–unfortunate that it was not. Interesting time in history though and this book sounds great!
Totally enjoyed this blog post. I hadn’t realized some of the WWII history. I think this book would be very interesting reading.
Looks so cute!
I’ve read books one and two and they were terrific. I am so glad to see more in this series.
Thank you so much!
I really enjoy mysteries with history mixed in, and I’m looking forward to reading this one.
Thank you, Julie!
is any of the story based on fact?
Yes, lots of the story is based on fact. There are notes at the end to point you to source materials used.
this is the time of year i enjoy reading the most,,evenings are cool ,,fireplace and candles,,cant be more relaxing than that
I need more mysteries to read.
Great post. Fun and informative.
I enjoy historical novels and I know I would like this one.
Sounds like an intriguing story I would love to read!
I’m sorry for your loss. Your mother-in-law seemed like an amazing woman and I’m sure she was proud of you. Book sounds intriguing and the cover is gorgeous.
Thank you, Judy.
Sounds great. Thank you!
I just finished reading this book this morning and LOVED it! I can’t wait for the next installment of Maggie’s adventures in London working for the Queen.
Like the cover – and WWII history is fascinating – thanks for letting me find another new to me author and series.
This book sounds very interesting.
Love the dog on the cover. Enjoyed the interview. Very informative. Love
Read historical facts mixed into a good mystery. Thank you Terry for
introducing us to Susan.
PS Bought your book so you would not be so down when at the beach
Oh, thank you Carol! Now I can go shopping!! Mahalo to you and I hope you enjoy the book. 🙂
I love the cover for this book!
Very informative interview. Love historical facts with mystery. Thank you Terry for
introducing us to Susan.
Enjoy books that have some historical content, with a mystery thrown in too.
this would be a new series for me.
Would love to try it
thanks.
This period in American history is one I find so interesting. My parents were just babies when World War II started but they had family memorabilia from that period that just grabbed me.
Sounds like an excellent book. Unfortunately, this series isn’t available at my local library.
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
I’m sorry for your loss!
I’m sorry for the loss of your Mother-in-law! The book sounds great!
Thank you, Vicki.
Cute book cover. Sounds like a good book.
Sue B
I’m certainly looking forward to reading this book.
I love history!
nice resource to have
I’d love to read this series since I’m a fan of spy novels. I’m a dog lover, too. I couldn’t help but notice Fala on the cover.
It was fun to write about Fala!
sounds so good and would love to read so going to put it down on my tbr list. Terry thank you for another great new author interview.
Thanks Peggy, I’m happy to bring them to you.
Sounds wonderful!
I find mysteries based on public figures very interesting. The have a ring of truth.
This series sounds fascinating! Love the historical aspects.
Love this series, great blend of history and mystery.
I’ve read every book in Susan’s series so far. Love the stories!
Thank you, Nancy!