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A Combined Love for Murder Mysteries
Blood, With A Drop Of Sherry, follows an inquisitive older woman who is determined to find out who murdered an insufferable and arrogant man at a grand gala. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for this plot was a real life person known to us personally and whom we depicted as the victim in the plot. As, sadly, although he was a friend, on more than one occasion, during a countryside weekend, we saw another side to him, that brought on the idea of writing a murder mystery book, in which such an arrogant character is murdered. Although the ‘friends’ gender, age etc. is changed in the book, the core negative aspects of our ‘friends’ personality is brought out in the book. Once this was decided, we were also keen to bring into the storyline, the extraordinary aspects of the beauty of The Nilgiris, India’s first UNESCO biosphere reserve. In essence, this book was brought on by our combined love for murder mysteries (particularly those that are based in the countryside) as well as for the land we live in.
What was your writing process to ensure you captured the essence of the characters?
Most of our characters evolved and developed from decades of meeting and getting to know people from very different and diverse backgrounds and cultures. There have been many who have stood out in our minds ~ for both positive and (quite often) negative reasons. These traits provided an invaluable compendium of useful information for realistic and ( we hope ) engaging character development. We were also keen that each character stood out as an individual against their own backdrops.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
The plot’s twists and turns were woven into the storyline’s development; inextricably linking the two. Thereafter, various aspects of the natural environment were entwined with scenarios which brought out different undertones to the story.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
The next book we are working on is a sequel to Blood, With A Drop Of Sherry, featuring, of course, Sherry Darling and many of the characters in the first book. The plot is currently in its infancy, but will feature the art world in a sinister light, as the core subject, around which more than one murder occurs. Needless to say, the plot will, once again, be based on the Nilgiri Hills. We don’t expect the second book in the series to be published for another year.
Blood, With A Drop Of Sherry
Blood, With A Drop Of Sherry, by T.S. Marni, is a masterfully crafted mystery that will evoke a deep sense of nostalgia for fans of Agatha Christie. Set against the backdrop of a high-society murder, the story revolves around the untimely death of AJ, an insufferable new-money figure whose arrogance is palpable from the very first sentence. Marni wastes no time in painting AJ as a thoroughly unlikable character, making readers loathe him before the end of the opening paragraph. His murder, during a grand gala, is hardly a shock—but the real intrigue lies in uncovering which of AJ’s many enemies committed the crime. This whodunit keeps readers hooked from start to finish.
One of the most delightful aspects of the novel is its clear homage to the Agatha Christie formula—complete with a murder among the elite, a small town where nothing seems to happen, and, of course, an older, inquisitive woman determined to solve the mystery. Yet, Marni brings a fresh twist with an infusion of Indian flair, adding cultural depth to the familiar structure. The story deftly moves between the various well-to-do families in the community, slowly peeling back layers to reveal the hidden scandals lurking beneath their polished exteriors.
I appreciated that the author resisted leaning too heavily on modern elements, allowing readers to bask in the classic, often snobbish atmosphere of high society, while still hinting that the story takes place in contemporary times. I feel the novel’s one challenge lies in its large cast of characters. As the narrative moves from family to family, it can sometimes be difficult to keep track of everyone and remember how they are all connected. I believe this could make it a little tricky for some readers to follow the story.
Blood, With A Drop Of Sherry is a must-read for fans of classic mysteries. T.S. Marni skillfully blends suspense, nostalgia, and cultural richness, creating a gripping tale that mystery lovers won’t want to miss. I’ll certainly be looking out for more from this author.
Pages: 209 | ASIN : B0CZTRCW8R
LITERARY TITAN 