The Story behind the Story

My publisher gave me a challenge...and it sure was a daunting task!  Having transcribed to computer, searched and successfully published two of my deceased mother-in law’s books and several short stories.  My publisher suggested I write a history about the settings or reasons mum wrote the books.  Well, short of seeking a clairvoyant and asking mum these questions, I racked my brains on a way around this task.  Thank goodness there is Wikipedia.  Knowing mum probably had written the books in her last and longest place of residence, I put in a search.  Wow, did I find a whole lot of history!  And it is amazing how much ties into the stories.  I wonder if mum knew the history, as there was no Wikipedia or computers at the time she was writing.  So here is what I found.

History of  a Mystery

The books ‘Ladies of Class’ and ‘The Poison Pen’ written by Marjorie Owen are set in the town of ‘Burshill, Sussex’.  Marjorie lived in Burgess Hill, Sussex for many years and we believe she used the location for the settings of both books.  In ‘Ladies of Class’, Marjorie’s first murder mystery novel, the initial murder happened on St.John’s Common or Park, located off Lower Church Road.  Marjorie lived in a flat on Lower Church Road over looking St. John’s Common.  We can only surmise that her inspiration for writing ‘Ladies of Class’ came from her location and view of the Common. 

Please read more here: History of a Mystery