SEDDON author Kerry Greenwood will launch her latest novel Murder in the Dark at the Sun Bookshop, in Yarraville, on 9 September.
The novel is another Phryne Fisher mystery, which is set in the Werribee Manor during a four-day party.
“I wanted to do a house party, the last best party of 1928 because, after 15 books, I’m finally moving Phryne out of 1928 and into 1929,” Ms Greenwood said.
“And I wanted to make it an event, so I thought I’d make it a superbly fascinating four-day, luxurious party.
“And I wanted to have it in a specific place that was mildly isolated, and Werribee Manor struck me as the perfect place.”
But the party turns sour when three people go missing and Phryne must chase cryptic clues to retrieve the hostages and “save the party from disaster”.
Ms Greenwood is fond of the character Phryne, and always makes sure she has a good time.
“I made her poor to start with so she gets a massive kick out of being rich,” the author said.
“So there’s always excellent food and good wine and beautiful baths and beautiful young men, good music and as much fun as you can cram in.”
Ms Greenwood has written 39 books, and works as an advocate for Legal Aid one day a week.
“I wanted to be a lawyer because when I was at school, when I was about 14, some of my classmates stole a car and went joy riding.
“They all went to youth training because there was no one to defend them. Because I was 14 – that’s when you mount your white charger if you are going to mount it – I thought somebody has to do something about this.”
The incident led to Ms Greenwood, a former Maribyrnong High School student, becoming a lawyer.
“It’s always been a thing about the western suburbs, we have to look after ourselves, so I decided to be a lawyer and work for Legal Aid.”
Ms Greenwood grew up in West Footscray and said her family had a long connection with the West.
“There are plenty of places I could live, in fact, taxi drivers try to take me to Fitzroy when I leave a writers’ festival because surely I can’t mean Footscray,” she said with a laugh.
Ms Greenwood, who also writes teen novels and science fiction books, said: “I want to write the sort of novels that you can lift the lid, step into the novel, pull down the lid and stay there in another world altogether.”
Fans seem to enjoy the books, which are now translated into Italian, French and German. The launch will be held at the Sun Bookshop, 10 Ballarat St, Yarraville from 11am.
