Ask the Author: P.J. Fitzsimmons
Answered Questions (48)
P.J. Fitzsimmons
Thank you very, very much Shan. Life has its ups and downs — doctor’s appointments and tax deadlines — I’m very flattered to number among the ups with Wodehouse.
More is imminent — today I began the third and final act of Anty Boisjoly number ten, The False Clue of the Twisted Red Herring’s Footprint, and I’m still confident of a July release.
More is imminent — today I began the third and final act of Anty Boisjoly number ten, The False Clue of the Twisted Red Herring’s Footprint, and I’m still confident of a July release.
P.J. Fitzsimmons
What a timely question — yes! In the end it was a clear field and the only hesitation was my own groundless inkling that Anty and Teddy ought to have different narrators and that Teddy’s should be a woman, but Teddy Quillfeather Mysteries are told in the third person, rendering both of those points, I think, pointless.
So it’s going to be Tim, if he’ll have me.
Talking of audiobooks, I’ll seize this opportunity to apologise for and explain the immense delay in bringing Anty Boisjoly number eight, Mystery and Malice aboard RMS Ballast (in which Tim gives voice to both a pirate and a parrot) to Audible. The explanation, however, is going to be slim to slender because I don’t know what happened myself, only that it never made it and had to be removed from all platforms and the process begun anew. That’s been done, so now we’re where we were in March — waiting for Audible.
I very much appreciate the question and even more so the kind words.
So it’s going to be Tim, if he’ll have me.
Talking of audiobooks, I’ll seize this opportunity to apologise for and explain the immense delay in bringing Anty Boisjoly number eight, Mystery and Malice aboard RMS Ballast (in which Tim gives voice to both a pirate and a parrot) to Audible. The explanation, however, is going to be slim to slender because I don’t know what happened myself, only that it never made it and had to be removed from all platforms and the process begun anew. That’s been done, so now we’re where we were in March — waiting for Audible.
I very much appreciate the question and even more so the kind words.
P.J. Fitzsimmons
In fact, Anty Boisjoly number eight, Mystery and Malice aboard RMS Ballast has been released to no fanfare — we'll begin fanning the fare just as soon as it's actually available on Audible, which can often take between forever and forever and a day.
Production hasn't begun yet on book nine but the current plan is for a spring release, and Teddy starts recording the first audiobook with the release of the third bookbook this summer.
Thank you very much for reading and listening. I'll pass along your kind comments to Tim.
Production hasn't begun yet on book nine but the current plan is for a spring release, and Teddy starts recording the first audiobook with the release of the third bookbook this summer.
Thank you very much for reading and listening. I'll pass along your kind comments to Tim.
P.J. Fitzsimmons
Well, isn’t that peculiar. I very much appreciate you raising the issue, because I had no idea and, by all appearances, The Case of the Case of Kilcladdich is meant to be on Hoopla and isn’t, while the seventh book, Foreboding Foretelling at Ficklehouse Felling is. So, clearly, not a timing issue.
I’ve written a little note to the aggregator and sent it into the void. I’ll update this response the moment I hear anything.
Incidentally, I also appreciate that you mentioned the interview between author and authored — you’re the first to do so and I was wondering if nobody had heard it or, worse, everyone had and was sparing my feelings.
Thank you very much for listening, Ulrike.
I’ve written a little note to the aggregator and sent it into the void. I’ll update this response the moment I hear anything.
Incidentally, I also appreciate that you mentioned the interview between author and authored — you’re the first to do so and I was wondering if nobody had heard it or, worse, everyone had and was sparing my feelings.
Thank you very much for listening, Ulrike.
P.J. Fitzsimmons
I'm very grateful for the sweeping vote of confidence, Margaret, and I hope that you enjoy my cheeky take on the greats.
I look forward to hearing your views.
I look forward to hearing your views.
P.J. Fitzsimmons
The next book is the second Teddy Quillfeather, Frauds On Favourite, and I might just as well confess now that I’m a bit behind schedule for an intended Christmas release. I still think I’m going to make it for Christmas but the target date had been the first of December.
As obvious as the parallels are, I don’t think I take much (conscious) inspiration from Lord Peter directly, but I do draw considerably from Sayers herself. I agree with you about the shift starting at Strong Poison, but I don’t know if my opinion can be trusted — I have an automatic suspicion of the mystery writer as character, which strikes me as steering dangerously close to the fourth wall.
I really appreciate your kind words, Monica, and your support. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to get in front of the story of the slipping schedule.
The next book is the second Teddy Quillfeather, Frauds On Favourite, and I might just as well confess now that I’m a bit behind schedule for an intended Christmas release. I still think I’m going to make it for Christmas but the target date had been the first of December.
As obvious as the parallels are, I don’t think I take much (conscious) inspiration from Lord Peter directly, but I do draw considerably from Sayers herself. I agree with you about the shift starting at Strong Poison, but I don’t know if my opinion can be trusted — I have an automatic suspicion of the mystery writer as character, which strikes me as steering dangerously close to the fourth wall.
I really appreciate your kind words, Monica, and your support. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to get in front of the story of the slipping schedule.
P.J. Fitzsimmons
YES! I'm seeing your question, in fact, minutes after learning that Foreboding Foretelling at Ficklehouse Felling has just gone in for final wardrobe and makeup and, assuming I sent Tim Bruce the right book, it should be available on audio within the next two weeks. On certain platforms, it may be earlier than that, but two weeks feels safe.
P.J. Fitzsimmons
Hi Colleen - YES! Tim starts recording Foreboding Foretelling at Ficklehouse Felling this week for a release in early September.
And between you and me, we're discussing recording Mystery and Malice aboard RMS Ballast directly afterwards so that we can get back on schedule.
Thank you very much for the pre-order of book nine. You'll note that it comes out on September 1st when, unless we do some very quick work, the books will be fully three titles ahead of the audio versions.
And between you and me, we're discussing recording Mystery and Malice aboard RMS Ballast directly afterwards so that we can get back on schedule.
Thank you very much for the pre-order of book nine. You'll note that it comes out on September 1st when, unless we do some very quick work, the books will be fully three titles ahead of the audio versions.
P.J. Fitzsimmons
Hi Gypsi,
I’d have replied to this sooner, but I’ve been trying to come up with an explanation that doesn’t make me look like an unread slipshod fraud. So far, nothing. In fact, the truth is worse than it appears — I reviewed the Quatermain bibliography just to write that line, which had once been a more ambitious reference to the Victorian chancer, and still managed to remain solidly immune to the correct spelling.
You’re the first to mention it, actually. Doubtless others took note but I can attest that it’s easily overlooked.
I really appreciate this kind correction. I’ll see to it that subsequent editions of The Case of the Ghost of Christmas Morning give Allan Quatermain the spelling deserved and reserved by both man and cat.
PJ Fitzsimmons
I’d have replied to this sooner, but I’ve been trying to come up with an explanation that doesn’t make me look like an unread slipshod fraud. So far, nothing. In fact, the truth is worse than it appears — I reviewed the Quatermain bibliography just to write that line, which had once been a more ambitious reference to the Victorian chancer, and still managed to remain solidly immune to the correct spelling.
You’re the first to mention it, actually. Doubtless others took note but I can attest that it’s easily overlooked.
I really appreciate this kind correction. I’ll see to it that subsequent editions of The Case of the Ghost of Christmas Morning give Allan Quatermain the spelling deserved and reserved by both man and cat.
PJ Fitzsimmons
P.J. Fitzsimmons
Hi Triana,
I’m sorry it’s taken this long to reply, but only this morning Tim and I settled on August for a return to the studio, meaning that Foreboding Foretelling at Ficklehouse Felling should be on audio no later than early September (Tim’s got the Boisjoly formula down to a slim science, now, and there are few if any edits required).
I have passed along the comparison to Jonathan Cecil. Tim’s heard it before (from me, just as an example) but I can’t imagine praise that high ever gets old.
Thank you again for reading and listening Triana.
PJ Fitzsimmons
I’m sorry it’s taken this long to reply, but only this morning Tim and I settled on August for a return to the studio, meaning that Foreboding Foretelling at Ficklehouse Felling should be on audio no later than early September (Tim’s got the Boisjoly formula down to a slim science, now, and there are few if any edits required).
I have passed along the comparison to Jonathan Cecil. Tim’s heard it before (from me, just as an example) but I can’t imagine praise that high ever gets old.
Thank you again for reading and listening Triana.
PJ Fitzsimmons
P.J. Fitzsimmons
I really appreciate that Jesper. In fact, it’s not a deliberate Easter egg, as such, I just wanted to be sure that the tartan was historically legitimate and, more importantly, unlikely to excite comment by young Prince George. This led to reading the histories of several tartans and, when I stumbled upon Buchanan, obviously, the decision was out of my hands.
It’s very very gratifying to know that these efforts are appreciated. Thank you very much.
It’s very very gratifying to know that these efforts are appreciated. Thank you very much.
P.J. Fitzsimmons
I’m very, very flattered, Donna, thank you very much.
I’ve actually thought about this question. Not specifically which is the funniest, but I definitely take notice when a good mystery is accompanied by a good laugh.
I’ve had Smallbone Deceased on the TBR list for, it looks like, six months (that’s when I bought it, anyway), so I’m going to reserve judgement, although glancing now at the first couple of pages I see what you mean.
In the meantime, my immediate runners up are going to be Agatha Christie’s The Seven Dials, which starts out very promising and properly witty but then rather fizzles as both a mystery and a narrative, and The Layton Court Mystery by Anthony Berkeley, which has a very funny first couple of chapters and then gets a little patchy and problematic.
But, continuing off the top of my head, my nomination for funniest British crime classic not specifically written for comedy is going to be Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L Sayers, in which she takes tremendous delight in eviscerating the advertising industry. I think that Sayers is always witty and clever, but it’s in Murder Must Advertise that she’s at her most acerbically funny. I don’t think that Sayers is a brilliant plotter and I think that this book is a fine example of why I think that, but her quick, slick, cutting prose is so dazzling that it doesn’t really matter.
I very much appreciate the prod to reflect on this, Donna, and I appreciate even more your kind words — they’re very encouraging.
I’ve actually thought about this question. Not specifically which is the funniest, but I definitely take notice when a good mystery is accompanied by a good laugh.
I’ve had Smallbone Deceased on the TBR list for, it looks like, six months (that’s when I bought it, anyway), so I’m going to reserve judgement, although glancing now at the first couple of pages I see what you mean.
In the meantime, my immediate runners up are going to be Agatha Christie’s The Seven Dials, which starts out very promising and properly witty but then rather fizzles as both a mystery and a narrative, and The Layton Court Mystery by Anthony Berkeley, which has a very funny first couple of chapters and then gets a little patchy and problematic.
But, continuing off the top of my head, my nomination for funniest British crime classic not specifically written for comedy is going to be Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L Sayers, in which she takes tremendous delight in eviscerating the advertising industry. I think that Sayers is always witty and clever, but it’s in Murder Must Advertise that she’s at her most acerbically funny. I don’t think that Sayers is a brilliant plotter and I think that this book is a fine example of why I think that, but her quick, slick, cutting prose is so dazzling that it doesn’t really matter.
I very much appreciate the prod to reflect on this, Donna, and I appreciate even more your kind words — they’re very encouraging.
P.J. Fitzsimmons
I do know, and I’m pretty excited myself and it was all I could do to resist voting as it came down to the wire and there were only four votes between The Case of the Canterfell Codicil and Richard Coles’ Murder Before Evensong.
Obviously I won't intrude on the conversation, but in gratitude for the recognition I've just now created a discount (99c on amazon.com and 99p on amazon.co.uk) for The Case of the Canterfell Codicil starting from next Thursday and running until Sunday.
Obviously I won't intrude on the conversation, but in gratitude for the recognition I've just now created a discount (99c on amazon.com and 99p on amazon.co.uk) for The Case of the Canterfell Codicil starting from next Thursday and running until Sunday.
P.J. Fitzsimmons
Hi Kevin, and thank you for the kind comments and the question.
I’ve been deliberately cagey about the release date for the first Teddy Quillfeather because the plan was to have two books ready to go before committing, but I’ve just completed the first and she’s everything I’d hoped she was going to be and, in some unexpected ways, more.
Teddy’s been developing for almost as long as Anty Boisjoly and in fact her personality has already escaped disguised as other characters, most notably in Reckoning at the Riviera Royale.
I knew that Teddy’s stories needed to be told in the third person and would feature crooks and capers and schemes. This is, in all candour, why I’ve been so cagey — a cosy mystery series without murder is a departure and maybe a bit of a gamble.
But that’s what I’ve done and, to finally provide a concrete answer after all this prevarication; June. The first Teddy Quillfeather is going to be available late May or early June when I’ll also be in a position to announce the second in the series.
As soon as this book goes into dress rehearsals I’ll commit to a specific date and, no less significantly, a title. I’ll comment on this reply then.
In the meantime, this is the official announcement.
I really appreciate the spur to action, Kevin.
PJ
I’ve been deliberately cagey about the release date for the first Teddy Quillfeather because the plan was to have two books ready to go before committing, but I’ve just completed the first and she’s everything I’d hoped she was going to be and, in some unexpected ways, more.
Teddy’s been developing for almost as long as Anty Boisjoly and in fact her personality has already escaped disguised as other characters, most notably in Reckoning at the Riviera Royale.
I knew that Teddy’s stories needed to be told in the third person and would feature crooks and capers and schemes. This is, in all candour, why I’ve been so cagey — a cosy mystery series without murder is a departure and maybe a bit of a gamble.
But that’s what I’ve done and, to finally provide a concrete answer after all this prevarication; June. The first Teddy Quillfeather is going to be available late May or early June when I’ll also be in a position to announce the second in the series.
As soon as this book goes into dress rehearsals I’ll commit to a specific date and, no less significantly, a title. I’ll comment on this reply then.
In the meantime, this is the official announcement.
I really appreciate the spur to action, Kevin.
PJ
P.J. Fitzsimmons
And thank you very much for the kind words.
I was initially only a little bit sure that the sheep were a good idea but by the time there were four of them I loved them. I just had to have more.
I was initially only a little bit sure that the sheep were a good idea but by the time there were four of them I loved them. I just had to have more.
P.J. Fitzsimmons
Thank you very much Laura. I really, really like hearing Anty described as fun — it means I'm hitting the target at which I'm aiming.
How fair is it that you have to ask a question just to say such a nice thing? I think that we should subvert the rule by asking our favourite authors unrelated questions... "Just wanted to let you know that I particularly enjoyed your latest book, and what's the average annual rainfall in Tasmania?"
How fair is it that you have to ask a question just to say such a nice thing? I think that we should subvert the rule by asking our favourite authors unrelated questions... "Just wanted to let you know that I particularly enjoyed your latest book, and what's the average annual rainfall in Tasmania?"
P.J. Fitzsimmons
YES! Just yesterday we determined that production is far enough along to commit to a release date for the next book.
So, until we do something formal, this is the official announcement that The Case of the Case of Kilcladdich will be released on audio on March 1st.
Experience has shown that the universe laughs at those who announce precise release dates for their audiobooks, but that's the offical date. I think it's probably going to be a bit before that, in practice and on some platforms, and a little later on others.
Thank you very much for asking the question and for reading and listening.
So, until we do something formal, this is the official announcement that The Case of the Case of Kilcladdich will be released on audio on March 1st.
Experience has shown that the universe laughs at those who announce precise release dates for their audiobooks, but that's the offical date. I think it's probably going to be a bit before that, in practice and on some platforms, and a little later on others.
Thank you very much for asking the question and for reading and listening.
P.J. Fitzsimmons
Hi Amy — in fact I have a categorical answer to the rhetorical question. Tim Bruce not only narrated Reckoning at the Riviera Royale but his production company managed the whole thing such that the famously finicky quality control process found not so much as an errant decibel. We even managed to sneak a cheeky, chatty bonus feature onto the end. Launch day is tomorrow wherever quality audio books are sold
(https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...) but I’m led to understand that Audible often likes to arrive fashionably late.
(https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...) but I’m led to understand that Audible often likes to arrive fashionably late.
P.J. Fitzsimmons
“...devouring them whole…” Thank you, Debby, for the delightful message and even more delightful way of putting it. And, yes! Anty Boisjoly’s next mystery is due this month — Foreboding Foretelling at Ficklehouse Felling has taken nearly as long as any two books but it’s finally gone in for final fittings and fixtures and there’s even a sneak peak at the cover: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
P.J. Fitzsimmons
Hello Janet. I’m very sorry this reply has been so long in coming — I’ve been busy collecting and curating flu strains, but I’m back on solid foods and milky tea today.
I’m literally a thousand words from completing FF at FF, but it needs to go through fittings and alterations, so I think we’re realistically looking at another two to three weeks. I’m sorry about that, but when you see it you’ll know why it’s meandered thus. It’s the longest Anty Boisjoly Mystery to date and, owing to one of those clever gimmicks that people keep telling me to stop trying, it has a few more characters and subplots than usual, too.
You — and a hearty breakfast of half a plum — have spurred me to action, though, and as of right this very second I’ve decided to put FF at FF (thank you for that acronym, incidentally) into beta-reading as is and do a cover reveal (watch this space later today).
As usual, Janet, I very much appreciate your questions and support — there’s no tonic anything like it.
I’m literally a thousand words from completing FF at FF, but it needs to go through fittings and alterations, so I think we’re realistically looking at another two to three weeks. I’m sorry about that, but when you see it you’ll know why it’s meandered thus. It’s the longest Anty Boisjoly Mystery to date and, owing to one of those clever gimmicks that people keep telling me to stop trying, it has a few more characters and subplots than usual, too.
You — and a hearty breakfast of half a plum — have spurred me to action, though, and as of right this very second I’ve decided to put FF at FF (thank you for that acronym, incidentally) into beta-reading as is and do a cover reveal (watch this space later today).
As usual, Janet, I very much appreciate your questions and support — there’s no tonic anything like it.
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