Rhys’s Comments (group member since Jan 27, 2014)

Rhys’s comments from the Ask Rhys Bowen, Deborah Crombie, and Charles Todd! group.

Kathy B. wrote: "Rhys, as a big fan of the Molly Murphy series and future reader of your other works, I have a question about series writing for you. Do you start out or soon develop a stopping point in your mind ..."

I've never had a stopping point in mind. I'll keep going with Molly until I feel I have nothing more to say. At the moment I love spending time with her.

Kathy B. wrote: "Rhys wrote: "Charles wrote: "I love the jacket art for the new Molly! Tell us a little about how you researched the story and the period. How you "saw" Paris in Molly's time."

RHYS: I love the jac..."

I went to Paris and just walked around Montmartre, Pigalle, Montparnasse, the museums. So much of it is unchanged since Molly's time.

Jen wrote: "I just want to say thank you for writing the Royal Spyness series! I very much enjoy all of the books you've written, but following

Georgie's adventures has been my favorite!"
Thank you, Jen. Glad you're enjoying the series.

Diana wrote: "Rhys, thought of the actress from Downton Abbey ~ she plays Lady Mary. She would be perfect as Belinda the best friend of Lady Georgie?


Rhys wrote: "Jessica wrote: "For Rhys Bowen: I am a huge f..."

Wouldn't she just! I think she's too much in demand these days to play a side-kick, but who knows?

Diana wrote: "Question for Rhys Bowen, Deborah Crombie and Charles Todd:

Did your publisher pick the artist for the book jacket or did you pick the artist from a list / or you knew the artist personally?"

My publisher has in-house artists and they come up with a design. I have input and usually like what I see.

Diana wrote: "Rhys, wondering if the Welsh village in Evan Evans mysteries look similar or different from the Doc Martin BBC TV series?

Rhys wrote: "Carol wrote: "Rhys I love all your series but Evan Evans is m..."

The Welsh village isn't quite as picturesque as Doc Martin. It's a mountain village, whitewashed cottages and roofs made of local slate but fairly simple and only the pub more elaborate.

Dee wrote: "Just got home from work and I hope I'm not too late!

I love the Georgie books so much, and I'm working my way through the Molly books now while I'm waiting for the next "Royal Spyness".

I know th..."

This is a good question. Obviously I want to keep the series going so that I can handle the abdication and the rise of fascism, but it will be a fine line to walk, knowing what is coming and in store for the world. I'll tread carefully and can always make fun of Mrs. Simpson!

Diana wrote: "What does this slang "Bob's your uncle" mean? Is it a play on words or does it have an origin from somewhere? Just wondering."

It's Cockney and it means everything will be all right. It's not known where it came from but the suggestion is that it's from the time when Robert Peel started the police force. If Bob was your uncle you had no need to worry.

Carol wrote: "Rhys I love all your series but Evan Evans is my favorite. Do you have any more books set to be published in this series? By the way, when I first saw your picture on a jacket cover I was convinced..."

Hi Carol: I am so busy handling two series at the moment but do hope to write at least an e-story about Evan some time. And no, I was never your teacher--she just shared my good looks:)

Deborah wrote: "Diana wrote: "Question for Rhys Bowen, Deborah Crombie and Charles Todd:

I enjoyed your novels. I was introduced to mystery novels by my 6th grade teacher. I wondered when you started reading my..."

RHYS: I used to love the Famous Five, who were the junior sleuths in England, and soon graduated to Agatha Christie. I've always been hooked on mysteries.

Diana wrote: "Rhys,

Have you ever visited the Oakland Museum? They have an interesting exhibit on California history including Hollywood.

Diana

I have visited it, but not since writing the story set in Hollywood. I had plenty of background material and photos of the time to help me.

Rhys wrote: "Kristen wrote: "Ms. Bowen: I love both your Molly ..."

Donna wrote: "I first read the Royal Spyness series in print then discovered the audio versions and am enjoying working my through the books again. Katherine Kellgren is an excellent narrator and really brings ..."
I had no input into Katherine Kellgren--just lucked out, but I did have a chance to select Nicola.

Donna wrote: "I first read the Royal Spyness series in print then discovered the audio versions and am enjoying working my through the books again. Katherine Kellgren is an excellent narrator and really brings ..."
RHYS: Hi Donna. I love the audio version of the series and couldn't be happier with Katy Kellgren. I have listened to most of them and she is perfect. I'm also pleased now that Nicola Barber is reading Molly.

Laura wrote: "I love the Georgie books - I find her fun and the predicaments she gets into very interesting. Couple of questions - we've met Georgie's relatives, will we ever get to meet Darcy's family? Then, ..."
Hi Laura: I'm hoping to write a book soon featuring Darcy's family and the castle in Ireland. And as for real characters--I try to make them as close as possible to what we know of them, so that they say things I know they really said.

Deborah wrote: "Kathy B. wrote: "These four writers are four of the nicest people you will every meet. I met Deborah, Rhys, Caroline, and Charles at Bouchercon 2013 in Albany, and they are so gracious and generou..."

RHYS: Hi Kathy. Thank you for the kind words. I find most mystery authors are such pleasant and generous people. I'm lucky to be part of this great community.

Mainer207 wrote: "Dear Debs, Rhys, and the Todds! No questions but I just want to say I love your books and the interaction you have with your readers. Thank you. (Jungle Reds rock!)"

RHYS: Thank you. I'm so glad you're enjoying our books. I love Debs and the Todds books too!

Diana wrote: "Question for Rhys Bowen, Deborah Crombie and Charles Todd:

I noticed that your novels are set in England (two in the past and one in modern times). I apologize if this sounds like a lightweight q..."

RHYS: Finding the names is really fun for me. I grew up in England and I know lots of silly names. Some of them are made from place names, some like people I've really known. And my husband's (aristocratic) family has cousins with silly nicknames.

Beth wrote: "First, The Twelve Clues of Christmas was absolutely one of the best mysteries I've ever read. Along with the familiar great characters, the mystery itself and the clues were stellar.

Now, on to..."

RHYS: I'd love to write another Evan book but I'm so completely occupied at the moment with my other two series that there is little time to breathe. I'm trying to plan an Evan e-story just so we can see how he's been faring.

Camille wrote: "Love all 3 authors. Ms. Bowen, I introduced a friend to your Royal Spyness series and she passed it along to her octogenarian father in Greece who adores the books! Thanks to all 3 authors for pr..."

I'm glad that Georgie has made it to Greece!

S. wrote: "I started reading your books because of a few Sherlock Holmes pastiches you wrote. I am curious; do you see your characters as being as much a myth and an exaggeration as Sherlock Holmes, or do you..."

RHYS: My characters are very real to me and I hope my readers see them as real people too. Sherlock Holmes is fun but we never really know him as a person. We don't see him anxious, afraid, sad. I want my readers to weep and rejoice with my characters.