with Christopher Lord
We are delighted to welcome mystery author Christopher Lord to Omnimystery News today.
Christopher's second volume in the Dickens Junction mystery series that began with The Christmas Carol Murders is The Edwin Drood Murders (Harrison Thurman Books; September 2013 trade paperback and ebook formats).
We recently had a chance to catch up with Christopher to discuss his books.
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Omnimystery News: What is it about a mystery series that prompted you to write recurring characters into your books?
Photo provided courtesy of
Christopher Lord
Christopher Lord: I chose a continuing character because I like to read series mysteries myself, to see how the continuing characters change from book to book, although this isn't necessarily true about "golden age" mysteries. After all, neither Hercule Poirot nor Miss Marple really changes, but contemporary readers are drawn to characters with story arcs. For example, I read Elizabeth George more to find out what is going to happen to Barbara Havers next than I do for the mysteries she is required to solve. Second, I think characters should change over time. I have a long-range plan for my protagonist, Simon Alastair, that will have him change in some way in each book in my series. I don't know what all of the changes will be yet, but in each book he will have to solve some personal life challenge in addition to the mystery.
OMN: Into which mystery genre would you place your books?
CL: I would call the Dickens Junction mysteries "traditional," in that they follow along the lines of "golden age" mysteries. But they also have elements of "cozy" and "puzzle" mysteries. Labels help readers find books they like, but labels can be limiting at the same time. Some of my best reviews so far have come not from mystery fans but from romance fans, who like the ongoing relationship between my protagonist, Simon Alastair, and his love interest, reporter Zach Benjamin.
OMN: Tell us something about the book that isn't mentioned in the publisher synopsis.
CL: I would like to believe that my books are funny, in the same vein as books by the late, great zany novelist Charlotte MacLeod. The Edwin Drood Murders is, perhaps, not as deliberately comic as elements of The Christmas Carol Murders, but I strive for a light touch, even when you are killing someone.
OMN: How much of your own personal or professional experience have you incorporated into the series?
CL: Since my main inspiration comes from Dickens and his characters, I'm not really using any real people in most of my books. Simon's oldest friend, George Bascomb, is, however, based on a real person, who just happens to be one of my oldest and dearest friends. The location of Dickens Junction (very, very near the real town of Astoria, Oregon) is fictional, but I was born and raised in Astoria, so I am deeply inspired by its sense of place, and I hope that comes across in the books. I can say, however, that the inciting incident in next year's novel, The Our Mutual Friend Murders, is inspired by a real-life event from recent Pacific Northwest history.
OMN: Describe your writing process for us.
CL: I am a very methodical writer. Because I am writing puzzle mysteries, I start with an extensive summary and outline. I know who the murderer is, how the murders were committed, and what every suspect's alibis and backstories are before I ever write the first word of the first draft. Next, I complete a scene-by-scene summary of events, with expected word counts for each scene. When I believe that I have a logical outline that will result in a novel of at least 60,000 words, I can start writing the first draft. Invariably I will have to alter the outline (usually about half-way through), but I would never think of starting without knowing where I was going. That said, however, in each book I have discovered something along the way (usually a small side trip rather than a major detour) that required some tinkering with my outline. When I am writing the first draft I have a goal to write at least 2,500 words per day. I never reread what I‘ve written, and I never start editing until I have typed the words "The End" on the final page of the first draft.
OMN: How do you go about researching the plot points for your books?
CL: For The Edwin Drood Murders I did much research on Dickens's working notes for the novel he was writing when he died. Even though I was quite knowledgeable already, I wrote to Dickens scholars (whom I mention at the end of the book) and several were most helpful in giving me an understanding of what Dickens actually may have done. I then fictionalized a few events to fit my needs.
With respect to the murders, however, I did almost no research. I am not interested in forensics at all; I leave that to Kathy Reichs, Patricia Cornwell and the others. For The Edwin Drood Murders I learned that modern hotel card key locks are almost completely theft-proof, which was a major inconvenience, so I had to change the locks in the real Hotel Elliott in Astoria, where the book is set. Old-fashioned locks suited my purpose.
OMN: You mentioned that the setting of the books is in Oregon. How true are you to the location?
CL: Dickens Junction is located inside the city limits of Astoria, Oregon, a very real place. I use real locations in all of my books, although I alter them to suit my needs. The Edwin Drood Murders is set mostly at the Hotel Elliott, a real hotel in Astoria (but somewhat altered inside to suit my needs). The characters visit a real pioneer cemetery in Astoria that, once again, I altered slightly. Business names are fictional, but some are derived from the names of Astoria businesses that I remember from my childhood.
Astoria has a rich heritage as a port, a commercial hub for the fishing industry, and has a culturally diverse past (particularly for Scandinavian, Chinese, and Japanese immigrants). I grew up with their descendents, and I usually give several walk-on characters Scandinavian names.
Choosing my hometown as a setting was one of the anchoring decisions I made when I set out to write this series. I have fond memories of Astoria as a warm and inviting community, and I wanted that same feeling for Dickens Junction. I have great affection for my hometown, and I hope it comes across in my work.
OMN: Tell us more about your book titles and covers.
CL: My covers are designed by the lovely and talented Portland artist Tina Granzo. For each book we discuss a significant object that appears in the novel that will make for an interesting visual. In the case of The Christmas Carol Murders, we chose a plum pudding; for The Edwin Drood Murders it was the diamond-and-ruby ring, the "Heart of Helsinki" that features prominently in the novel.
Choosing a title was easy: each book in the Dickens Junction series will be inspired by a different Charles Dickens novel, and the title will follow.
OMN: What is the best advice — and harshest criticism — you've received as an author? And what might you say to aspiring writers?
CL: The best advice was from James N. Frey (How to Write a Damn Good Novel). His message to writers: "Read, read, read, write, write, write, revise, revise, revise, and watch those exclamation points." I also spent time with the great Tom Spanbauer and his "Dangerous Writers." Tom taught me that the writer must care about crafting each sentence so that it contains an emotional note that the reader can attach to.
The harshest criticism came from an online reviewer who felt that he or she should have been warned that my protagonist was gay. I have no response to that, nor do I feel any obligation toward that person.
To the aspiring writer I would say, "Writing is not an art; it is a craft. While I believe you must have a small talent, you need even more a skill set that you can learn. Join a critique group; take classes. Your first book will be terrible."
OMN: What kind of feedback do you enjoy receiving from your readers?
CL: If someone reads one of my books and then decides to read a Dickens novel, I'm in seventh heaven. I consider it a hallmark of success if my books inspire readers to go back and discover great works that they always wanted to read.
OMN: Complete this sentence for us: "I am a mystery writer, thus I am also …".
CL: "I am a mystery writer, thus I am also a great believer in justice. Mystery writers, and readers, believe that problems can be solved and criminals brought to justice."
OMN: Christopher Lord has such a Dickensian flair to it. Just a coincidence?
CL: I use a pen name. My real name is Carl Wilson. When I started writing in the mid-90s, the Beach Boy with that name was still very much alive and in the news. I wanted to be Internet-searchable without wading through Beach Boy references everywhere. The disadvantage is that I may not turn my head if someone calls out "Christopher." That said, you can call me Chris, you can call me Carl; you can even call me Shirley if you buy my books.
OMN: If you were asked to cast a film adaptation of your books, whose names would you choose?
CL: Although he is a few years too young, Neil Patrick Harris would be great as Simon Alastair. And John Stamos would be perfect as Simon's love interest, Zach Benjamin.
OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young? And what do you read now for pleasure?
CL: I started reading Nancy Drew when I lived in Astoria; in fact, I bought The Secret of the Old Clock at an Astoria rummage sale when I was about eight years old, and remember buying new Nancy Drew books every two weeks at the 88-cent store after I got my allowance. A few years later I discovered the classics when I read Oliver Twist, and then added in Agatha Christie books when I was in college. I have been reading Dickens and other 19th century novelists ever since, working in mystery novels whenever I needed a break from the triple-decker novels of the Victorians.
OMN: Create a Top 5 list for us on any topic.
CL: The five best books by Charles Dickens:
• Our Mutual Friend (my favorite; I've read it ten times)
• Great Expectations (Dickens's greatest artistic achievement)
• Bleak House (maybe the best book of the 19th century)
• Little Dorrit (vastly underrated — see the BBC adaptation)
• David Copperfield (Micawber, the Peggotty house, Uriah Heep — need I say more?)
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Christoper Lord was born in Astoria, Oregon. He now lives in Portland with his partner of twenty years and their Devon Rex, Miss Corey, the inspiration for Simon's Miss Tox.
For more information about the author and his work, please visit his website at DickensJunction.com.
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The Edwin Drood Murders
Christopher Lord
The Dickens Junction Mysteries
The Droodists have arrived in Dickens Junction. Local bookstore owner Simon Alastair has his hands full in his role as co-chair for the latest convention honoring Charles Dickens's uncompleted novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. A movie star, a pesky blogger, dueling scholars, a stage hypnotist, and an old family friend (among others) all have claims on Simon's time. In addition, some Droodists are clearly more–or less–than they appear, including a mysterious young man with the improbable name of Edwin Drood.
When a priceless ring and a rare Dickensian artifact go missing, Simon and reporter-partner Zach Benjamin learn that someone will do anything — including murder — to obtain an object of desire.
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