Song for Someone follows a young woman who, through her parents’ diaries, discovers the love story of an opera singer and the mysterious detective Sherlock Holmes. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I was inspired to write my debut novel, Song for Someone, after visiting the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street in 2019. I remember it was just before lockdown. I had always been fascinated by the iconic character Irene Adler and felt disappointed when she failed to appear in any further episodes after A Scandal in Bohemia. Other authors have hinted at a relationship between Holmes and Adler but merely skirted around the subject without exploring its depths and endless possibilities. So encouraged by my daughter Katie, I decided to write my adaptation.

Both Irene and Holmes are well-written and developed characters with engaging personalities. What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the character’s essence?

Irene was my favourite character to write; I loved exploring the depths of her character, this strong, feisty woman who took no messing from the celebrated detective. My favourite chapter in the book is No. 27, where Irene and Sherlock discuss past relationships. Those scenes really captured the character’s essence and changed the dynamics of their relationship.

Through the diary pages, Charlotte is taken on an adventure to discover her parent’s secret lives. How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?

Story development can coincide with shocking plot twists. I’m a panster writer, and ideas tend to come to me as I go along; it can, at times, involve a lot of re-writing for me this way, but, the plot and dialogue flow much better.

When will book 2 be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?

Christmas at The Saporis, Book Two in the Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries, was published last December. The story will take readers to the beautiful Susses Downs five years after Sherlock and Irene’s adventures in Italy. Irene is hoping for a quiet family Christmas and a reconciliation with Sherlock’s brother, Mycroft. All appears well until unexpected ghosts from the past appear, threatening to shatter the fragile peace of the holidays, reminding readers that happiness and harmony are never guaranteed, even during the festive period.

Meet Me in Milan, Book 3 in the series, will be published on the 29th of September, and takes our intrepid couple back to Milan, where Irene finds herself having to turn investigator when her friend Renata becomes the main suspect in the attempted murder of her husband, Luigi Amato. When Sherlock finally arrives on the scene, Irene seeks his counsel, and he agrees to help with her investigation. But, in doing so, they open up a can of worms in their quest for the truth, which leaves them questioning their relationship and everything they hold dear.

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