The Voice
There is an Irish writer I adore.
Her name is Marian Keyes and she doesn’t write mysteries (her book, The Mystery of Mercy Close, isn’t a mystery—not
really). True confession: with few exceptions I read only mysteries and biographies.
And Marian Keyes. I read Marian Keyes.
Her name is Marian Keyes and she doesn’t write mysteries (her book, The Mystery of Mercy Close, isn’t a mystery—not
really). True confession: with few exceptions I read only mysteries and biographies.
And Marian Keyes. I read Marian Keyes.
Some might say she writes women’s
fiction.
fiction.
Others might call her books
chicklit.
chicklit.
I say she writes novels.
Wonderful novels. About women with
problems. About children and families and strengths and insecurities. Funny
novels. Novels that make me cry. Novels that make me gnash my teeth.
problems. About children and families and strengths and insecurities. Funny
novels. Novels that make me cry. Novels that make me gnash my teeth.
Her latest, The Break, has released in the U.K. but not yet in the United
States. I have seriously considered paying the very dear price for shipping
from London to Kansas City.
States. I have seriously considered paying the very dear price for shipping
from London to Kansas City.
Why?
Marian Keyes has a distinctive
voice.
voice.
So distinctive I feel as if I know
her.
her.
I know I’d like to discuss skin care
with her.
with her.
I know we could chat for an hour
about the joy of boots.
about the joy of boots.
I know I adore her—even if she does
drink tea (which she pronounces tay)
not coffee.
drink tea (which she pronounces tay)
not coffee.
She’s a friend I miss and my best
chance to catch up with her is to pick up her latest novel (still thinking about that shipping charge…).
chance to catch up with her is to pick up her latest novel (still thinking about that shipping charge…).
Marian (no, I don’t actually know
her, but we’re on a first name basis—at least I am) inspired my writing.
her, but we’re on a first name basis—at least I am) inspired my writing.
I think every writer has a Marian or
two. Hopefully, one day I can be a Marian.
two. Hopefully, one day I can be a Marian.
If you haven’t yet discovered Marian’s books, start here.
Julie Mulhern is the USA Today bestselling author of The Country Club Murders.
She is a Kansas City native who grew up on a steady diet of Agatha Christie. She spends her spare time whipping up gourmet meals for her family, working out at the gym and finding new ways to keep her house spotlessly clean–and she’s got an active imagination. Truth is–she’s an expert at calling for take-out, she grumbles about walking the dog and the dust bunnies under the bed have grown into dust lions.
She is a Kansas City native who grew up on a steady diet of Agatha Christie. She spends her spare time whipping up gourmet meals for her family, working out at the gym and finding new ways to keep her house spotlessly clean–and she’s got an active imagination. Truth is–she’s an expert at calling for take-out, she grumbles about walking the dog and the dust bunnies under the bed have grown into dust lions.
Her latest novel, Cold as Ice, will release October 17th.
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