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Rhys Bowen is the author of Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure.
Rhys Bowen is the New York Times bestselling author of more than sixty novels, including The Rose Arbor, The Paris Assignment, Where the Sky Begins, The Venice Sketchbook, Above the Bay of Angels, The Victory Garden, The Tuscan Child, and In Farleigh Field, the winner of the Lefty Award for Best Historical Mystery Novel and the Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel.
She is also the author of the Royal Spyness mysteries and several other series. Bowen’s work has been translated into many languages and has won sixteen honors to date, including multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards.
A transplanted Brit, Bowen divides her time between California and Arizona.
Here’s a preview of her latest, Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure:
Blindsided by betrayal in pre-WWII England, a woman charts a daring new course in this captivating tale of resilience, friendship, and new love by the bestselling author of The Rose Arbor and The Venice Sketchbook.
Get to know Rhys as she talks favorite novels, writing historical fiction novels, her TBR and more!
What are some of your favorite novels?
I actually love reading what I write: historical novels with lots of atmosphere. I loved Adriana Trigiani’s new book, The View from Lake Como. I’m a fan of Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs series and Louise Penny’s Gamache (both these ladies are good friends of mine!). I like Kate Morton and books in two time periods. Lots of historical mysteries: Charles Todd, Tasha Alexander.
When did you know you wanted to become an author?
I think I always have been a writer, from my earliest childhood I lived in a world of make-believe, imagining myself as different people in different settings. And I’ve been a professional writer since I left college, first in BBC drama in London, then children’s books, YA novels and finally what I like to read: historical mysteries, historical novels.
What initially drew you to the historical fiction genre?
Growing up I was a huge fan of Mary Stewart so I loved books that took me somewhere exotic. But I came to historical books first in my mysteries. I was writing the Constable Evans series, set in Wales and then I went to Ellis Island. I was so emotionally overcome there that I knew I had to write about it. So Molly Murphy has to flee from Ireland after she accidentally kills the man who was trying to rape her. She gets as far as Ellis Island when a murder occurs. She is using an assumed name and this name shows up as a prime suspect. That was the story of Murphy’s Law. Molly has been surviving and thriving in New York City ever since. My Royal Spyness series features a minor royal in the 1930s… such a fascinating age of glamor and contrasts.
Then I had other ideas outside of my series, especially centered around WWII. I felt it was such a pivotal time in our lives, the last clear conflict of good and evil. And so many stories featured heroic men, but few heroic women. I set out to rectify that. And I love to write about places that mean something to me: The Tuscan Child, The Venice Sketchbook and this latest book, Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure set in the south of France, and all involving the war.
Where do your story inspirations come from?
Often from a sense of place. With Mrs. Endicott I saw an abandoned villa in Italy a few years ago, and being me, a trifle impulsive, I wanted to buy it and restore it to its former glory. Sensible husband talked me out of it but the thought of that villa stayed with me. Perhaps a character in my book could restore it for me. The other inspiration was that of invisible women. Once women are no longer sexy they are invisible to society. I wanted to champion those women, show the power of female friendship, that you are never too old for second chances, for taking risks and for finding happiness.
Tell us what readers can expect from Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure?
This is a story about resilience and the power of female friendship. When she is betrayed by her husband after being the perfect wife for thirty years, Ellie Endicott refuses to go away quietly. Instead, she steals his prized Bentley and takes two women with her who have both been treated badly by society for a journey to the South of France. In a small fishing village they create a whole new life and all would have been wonderful until the threat of war loomed over them. The Nazis invade and Ellie Endicott has to decide whether to take the biggest risk of all. It’s a story that will make every woman of a certain age stand up and cheer!
What was your favorite part or chapter to write?
I loved creating that small village in France. It’s based on the town of Cassis, which must have looked like that before tourism. I enjoyed being there for the food, the sights, the smells. But my favorite scene was the last one in the book, when Ellie encounters her ex-husband. I can’t tell you what happens but it was highly satisfying.
What are you currently reading and what’s on your TBR (to be read) list?
I mentioned that I’ve just finished Adriana Tringali’s The View from Lake Como. Next is Jane Healey’s The Women of Arlington Hall.
