Allison Brook is the pseudonym of Marilyn Levinson, who writes mystery, young adult, and romantic suspense. Death On The Shelf is the fifth book in the Haunted Library series.
Love and marriage
“The idea for this book developed from the events of the previous book. More murders, of course, but the storyline continues the threads of what’s happening next in the lives of my main characters. How they are changing and growing. And since Death on the Shelf takes place in June, what could be nicer than a beautiful wedding . . . with a murder or two thrown in?”
Marilyn added that she’s interested in her characters’ development—what influenced and affected them in their growing-up years, how they are changing, and their relationships with one another. “With this in mind, I’d say that the prevailing issue in Death On The Shelf is love and marriage: the wedding of Angela (Carrie’s best friend) and Steve, Carrie’s father’s upcoming marriage and Carrie’s own engagement as well as the dissolution of Angela’s cousins’ marriages.”
People are complex
“I believe that we are all complex beings, with loves and hates and nuances of emotions in between. A murderer can be kind to children. A nice person can be angry or hurt enough to key someone’s car. This is something I strive to convey in my characters. All of my characters have secrets. They all have dark sides. Unhappy sides. Angela’s is her volatile brother who was abusive to her when they were growing up, something her parents refused to see. Another is Angela’s feeling of insecurity around her more sophisticated older cousins, though she eventually comes to recognize that her life is far happier than theirs.”
In the name of research
“The thing I noticed as I was writing Death on the Shelf was how often I’d stop mid-sentence to research something I was writing, among them checking out slow-acting poisons, wedding protocol and certain criminal activities. And I’m always researching food—in this book for Angela’s bridal party, her engagement party, and the wedding. And what Carrie is making for dinner. Researching food is such fun!”
Learn more about Marilyn Levinson at marilynlevinson.com. Did you like this interview? If so, click here to read more Behind the Story interviews from your favorite authors.
Sounds like a great book.
Marilyn
Thanks for hosting me, Terry!