Blog Archives
Finding Humor in the Darkest of Times
The Secret Lives of the Doyenne of Didsbrook follows the protégée of a former actress who discovers the actress’s hidden notebooks, after her questionable death, revealing a dark past and possible motive for her murder. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
All the characters, apart from The Doyenne, were featured in a long-listed short story about a writers’ group in a rural part of the UK. I loved these characters so much, I didn’t want to let them go, so I decided to turn the short story into a novel.
The short story was written as a farce, and I carried on writing the novel in that vein. However, once The Doyenne’s character was introduced and her story became more complex, it was inappropriate to have slapstick scenes going on around her. It is still humorous in parts, but now has more bittersweet undertones.
I enjoyed your characters, especially DCI Middleton. What was your favorite character to write for and why?
DCI Humphrey Middleton was definitely up there. In the first few drafts, he only appeared at the beginning, but a few beta readers suggested that I bring him back later in the story, which I did.
I think those whose jobs involve coming face-to-face with death regularly, doctors, nurses and police officers, are exceptional people. So, it was interesting to get inside Humphrey’s head, and I do believe that being able to find humour, even in the darkest of times, keeps us all going. Edna Fowler and Arthur Boniface were also fun characters to write.
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing, or did it develop organically?
I will always be a pantser at heart, but I did try to plot The Doyenne. I knew if I was going to turn my quirky little writers’ group short story into a novel, something had to happen that would profoundly affect them all. So I decided to ‘bump off’ the character who was known and loved by all! I am a sucker for telling stories in flashback, but I will try to curb that enthusiasm with my next novel.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out and what can your fans expect in the next story?
It was written as a stand-alone novel, like my debut, Just Say It, but, as I am already missing the characters from The Doyenne, it makes me think that I might venture down the road of writing novellas about some of them, but, at the moment, it is a big maybe.
I am nearing the completion of the first draft of my third novel, which I hope will be released in 2026. I am totally out of my comfort zone because it is more of a psychological drama, but I am too invested in the character to bail out on them now.
So, it is fair to say that I am still trying to find my niche, genre-wise. However, without a doubt, I am most comfortable writing bittersweet storylines, because I believe that, however dark a story gets, a smattering of humour is essential.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Instagram | Website
Villagers are appalled to learn that the charismatic Jocelyn died from Hemlock poisoning. Police claim she shot and ate a quail that had ingested hemlock. A theory disputed by all who knew her well. The animal-loving Jocelyn would never kill anything, but due to the lack of forensic evidence, police rule death by misadventure.
Jocelyn’s young protégée, Lucy Fothergill, determined to discover the truth about what happened to her mentor, discovers a hidden stash of Jocelyn’s notebooks, revealing jaw-dropping secrets from Jocelyn’s past. The impression Jocelyn gave the world that she lived a near-perfect life was an Academy Award-winning performance.
Believing the events from Jocelyn’s past may have led to her death forty-eight years later, Lucy begins to piece together the clues that lead to the truth.
The sleepy village of Didsbrook is about to wake up!
The Secret Lives of the Doyenne of Didsbrook
Tessa Barrie’s The Secret Lives of the Doyenne of Didsbrook is a charming and clever blend of cozy mystery and emotional introspection, set in a picture-perfect English village brimming with secrets. The novel kicks off with the sudden and suspicious death of Jocelyn Robertshaw, a glamorous former actress turned best-selling author. Her passing sends ripples through the quaint village of Didsbrook, stirring up a whirlwind of gossip, speculation, and long-buried truths. Through a rotating cast of relatable characters, from wide-eyed young Lucy to weary but sharp-witted DCI Middleton, the story unravels a layered mystery that bridges generations, identities, and emotional reckonings.
What I loved most about this book was its vivid sense of place and community. Barrie paints Didsbrook with loving, whimsical strokes, half theatrical set, half living village. The writing has a warm, inviting tone, even when diving into darker themes like grief, betrayal, and mortality. There’s something tender and sharp happening at the same time in these pages. The narrative is breezy without being shallow, and full of theatrical flair, particularly in the witty banter and sly nods to classic detective fiction. And though it dips into mystery tropes, it does so with affection and originality. The characters feel lived-in. DCI Middleton, in particular, made me smile with his mix of grump and gallows humor.
There’s a lot of backstory and a sprawling ensemble that took some time to keep straight. But I didn’t mind getting lost in the sidetracks. The emotional undercurrent is strong and steady. The story isn’t just about whodunit. It’s about why we hide parts of ourselves, and what happens when truths finally come out. That gave the book its real punch. Jocelyn’s life, even in death, becomes a mirror for the other characters to confront their own stories.
If you’re someone who enjoys character-driven mysteries with a side of small-town eccentricity and a splash of theatrical charm, this is your kind of read. Fans of Richard Osman, Agatha Christie, or even Joanna Cannon would feel right at home. It’s funny, thoughtful, and heartfelt. And despite the crime at its center, it somehow manages to feel like a warm hug. I’d happily recommend it to anyone who likes their mysteries with brains, heart, and a little sparkle.
Pages: 307 | ASIN : B0F9P9DM57
LITERARY TITAN 