“The Charterhouse of Evil” follows a resilient couple in 19th-century Australia as they bravely unravel a half-century-old mystery, revealing a web of corruption and horror within a seemingly devout monastery. What excited you the most about writing this book?

It was discovering the only monastic village in the southern hemisphere in Western Australia founded by Benedictine Monks two hundred years ago. The history of New Norcia assisted with the world-building and the plot. It was about intertwining a supernatural horror story with the documented legacy of the monastery. It has a gruesome past filled with abuse of children and the monks’ poor behavior.

The narrative delves into the dark side of religious institutions, tackling sensitive topics like child sexual abuse. How did you handle writing about such a heavy subject while maintaining the suspense and horror element?

One cannot but feel for the atrocities and sins of this place which have been well documented. But as an author, I had to look through the history of New Norcia and why Benedictine Monks found it appropriate to behave this way. I explored good versus evil and how individuals and institutions can succumb to a demonic influence.

Clarisse and Harry share a deep bond and offer unwavering support to each other. How did you craft their relationship dynamics, and how critical is their partnership to the story?

Their partnership was formed in the first book, The Girl in the Scarlet Chair. It’s a very different book from future releases because it has elements of paranormal romance. I was also finding my way as an author and discovering my true passion for the genre. Clarisse would not be who she is without her partner, Harry’s support. They complement each other with different skills—Harry is the more skeptical and realist, and Clarisse is the sensitive in the room with an extraordinary sixth sense. Their bond grows in each book release of the series, as does their skill in tackling demonic foes.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

The next book is called The Nowhere Room, an extraordinary story. I am taking longer to write this book which may frustrate my readers. I felt this was necessary to develop the story effectively and work through storyline elements and plot. The world-building is impressive as I paint a picture of Ghost Gully and Baron House and not to mention the darkness of the Nowhere Room. The character building is necessary so that readers can understand Clarisse, Harry, and George Baron (the antagonist) in a way they could picture them. Again, I am testing my faith in the afterlife and the boundaries of what happens when we die. That takes a lot of thought and energy—it’s tough for any author to work through this question. Like any book I write, I want to leave my readers with a thought, not just a good horror story. I want them to ask questions and see things differently about our mortality.

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