Ask the Author: Robin Stevens
Answered Questions (399)
Robin Stevens
Hello! I think a lot of friendships work like Daisy and Hazel's, especially when you're younger - you have a confident and a less confident person. But Daisy and Hazel see something in each other that they love and respect. I think they complete each other as people really well!
My advice is to write as much as you can, and to have fun - if you do get published, that's great, but don't put pressure on yourself if you don't. The more you write the better you'll get, and that's a great thing in the long run.
My advice is to write as much as you can, and to have fun - if you do get published, that's great, but don't put pressure on yourself if you don't. The more you write the better you'll get, and that's a great thing in the long run.
Robin Stevens
Not all of them, but you do see a Detective Society member I haven't been able to show in the Ministry series until now!
Robin Stevens
Thank you! I love them all, but especially Death in the Spotlight - I just love the twist!
Robin Stevens
Yes! It's publishing on the 11th of September in the UK and Ireland!
Robin Stevens
Thank you so much! Alex and Hazel are still dating by Ministry 3 - and you'll see a bit more about the answer to that question in that book ...
Robin Stevens
Super interesting question! Hazel is definitely the most wealthy (banker dad, owns a lot of land in Hong Kong), and I'd say Lavinia is probably the least wealthy. Beanie's dad was born fairly poor, and is self-made, so even though Beanie herself comes from a wealthy family, it's felt as precarious wealth. Daisy's family are actually less rich, but it's generational wealth that's tied in to land and title so she thinks of herself as very stable and important. Lavinia's dad is upper middle class, I think, and a bit like Beanie's has made a lot of himself, enough to send his three kids to private school, but his divorce and remarriage has knocked a bit out of him financially! George's dad is a surgeon and has made a lot of money (and reputation!) from his practice, but even though he came from an important Indian family he immigrated as a young man and so doesn't have generational security in the UK. Alex comes from a very wealthy Russian family, but they had to flee during the Revolution and so lost a lot of their assets. His dad came to America and was able to start again fairly successfully with his own mother's backing - I've never said what he does but I assume something in finance. Alex's parents live in Boston, and are very comfortable - enough to send their son to school in the UK!
Robin Stevens
Thank you so much! I'm really proud that my books have resonated with you like this! I'm obviously going to say read Agatha Christie and Josephine Tey (be aware that they're historical, and so they've got a lot of period-typical homophobia, sexism, racism and so on - their plots are great but it's a different headspace and you want to be ready for it!), but more recently Elizabeth Wein has done some great YA historical spy/mystery novels (Code Name Verity, The Pearl Thief) and of course Holly Jackson's Good Girl's Guide to Murder series is excellent. I also love Ruth Ware and Elly Griffiths' books, but those are more solidly adult. I'd love to write an adult murder mystery one day - I just have to come up with a good idea!
Robin Stevens
I did visit Milton Keynes many years ago, so I haven't been for a while - I don't know what my autumn tour will look like yet, but I hope I will have an event in the midlands. Keep an eye out on my website calendar!
Robin Stevens
Probably not a whole book, but that will certainly come up in Ministry 3!
Robin Stevens
One day, I hope! No concrete plans, but you never know ...
Robin Stevens
Death in the Spotlight! I just love the twist so much and I loved writing it!
Robin Stevens
I hope so! I visit different areas of the country each tour, so you never know - I do my best to get to different places each time!
Robin Stevens
There will! I'm working on the third Ministry book at the moment - it's out in September 2025!
Robin Stevens
This answer contains spoilers…
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Robin Stevens
I came in summer 2023 - I hope I'll be back again some time soon!
Robin Stevens
Hello! There are two years of sixth form, lower and upper sixth - or at least there are in my books!
Amina is in MUA, or at least she's mentioned - she pops up in both books so far, and she'll be in the puzzle book coming this autumn too!
Amina is in MUA, or at least she's mentioned - she pops up in both books so far, and she'll be in the puzzle book coming this autumn too!
Robin Stevens
I think that's a fantastic idea. I'm not sure I'll ever do it - though it's something I've thought about - but you definitely should. It sounds like you're seeing it all very clearly in your head - I say go for it and write your own version!
Robin Stevens
Good question! I think probably they would have run into each other - I don't have a very clear idea about it but I think it's something you should absolutely fill in yourself with your own writing!
Robin Stevens
Hello Abigail! I love writing journals for my characters - most of my books are written as diaries and I think it's a great way in to someone's head. And I love those titles! I think they're brilliant - you should use them in your own writing for sure!
Robin Stevens
Hello! Thank you for reading my books and loving them so much! I think I'm a mix of all my main characters, but especially Hazel and Daisy. My favourite bunbreak is a cinnamon bun, and my favourite book is Death in the Spotlight!
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