Table of Contents
Interviews & Essays
Ransom Notes Interview with Nancy Martin
High society and deadly danger make a potent mix in Nancy Martin's third Blackbird Sisters mystery, Some Like It Lethal. Philadelphia upper-crust reporter Nora Blackbird knows that life is about connections -- and she's got plenty of them, with all their attendant complications. She's nearly broke, but her family history among the Philadelphia elite gives her the access she needs for the juicy stories on her beat. But this time the subject of one of those stories is her own sister, who's linked to a homicide at an exclusive hunt club event -- and a web of scandal, blackmail ... and murder. Ransom Notes spoke with Martin about her own connections -- to her readers:
Nancy Martin: Writing mysteries lets me indulge my inner child. (And my inner bitch and inner romantic -- all the extremes of my own personality.) I love the playfulness of creating quirky, entertaining characters and situations.
Nora has her grandmother's vintage clothes and the crumbling old house with the leaky roof -- possessions that make up the Blackbird legacy. But what Nora is discovering is that her relationship with her sisters is what's truly valuable, and what she must fight for. Having come from a distinguished, moneyed family may make Nora initially interesting to readers, but the depth of her character is best revealed when the chips are down. For me, she wouldn't be nearly as fascinating to work with if she had unlimited resources. She must use her wits to overcome adversity, not buy her way out.
My own family "lost our fortune," as my grandmother politely put it, many years ago, but my grandmother never lost the attitude that went with social distinction. A grande dame from the get-go, she gave me an insider's peek into the world of Old Money and American aristocracy. One of my most vivid childhood memories is tailgating at a steeplechase, where the horses paraded past elegant tables set with crystal and silver. I grew up more like Emma Blackbird -- interested in horses instead of debutante balls -- so I've had to do research to get other parts of the lifestyle right. Oh, darn, another black-tie gala to attend for research!
One of the most memorable books I've read was Diana Vreeland's autobiography. That book started me thinking and looking at clothing as art, as creative expression as well as a reflection of personal values. When I realized how great Nora needed to look to do her job in rarified circles, I indulged my interest and invented Grandmama Blackbird's collection of couture. Mind you, this is a fantasy of mine -- having unlimited fabulous clothes at my disposal.
Ransom Notes: What do you like about the contrast between Nora's amateur detective approach to investigations, as opposed to the methods used by her Mafia prince boyfriend, Michael, and the police detective, Ben?
NM: Nora believes everyone is inherently good and if she just asks her good friends for help everything will turn out right. But Michael and Ben know otherwise, and their insider's view into crime sometimes shocks her. Yet she's drawn to them and to danger, so I see a lot of conflict in their futures. The threesome really clashes in Some Like It Lethal.
Investigating so-called victimless crimes can be more thought-provoking than crimes where the line between right and wrong is distinct. Nora must make some difficult moral choices this time. I think readers will either love her choices or hate 'em.
I love hearing from readers. Knowing there's somebody out there desperately waiting for the next book is a big morale booster. You can contact me through my web site: www.NancyMartinMysteries.com
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