Gossip Kills was indeed inspired by vintage “golden age” mysteries, though there’s really nothing in it to make this obvious (the setting is modern). I was definitely influenced by the tighter tone and the briefness of these genre classics (including the lesser known mystery-writing sisters Gwenyth and Constance Little, who wrote mostly in the 40s). I’ll always be inspired by literature from before my day and I don’t see my list of favorite writers changing anytime soon. But I will make an effort to read some more current stuff. Maybe every other fiction book I read should be from this millennium.
I am currently on Sophie Hannah’s The Dead Lie Down, which my friend Meagan recommended. It’s from 2009 and it’s really good and original.
I should read more modern fiction because I’m a writer and I should be supporting other writers. I don’t know why I’ve been shutting myself off, surrounding myself with dead authors. Fear? Insecurity? Jerkiness?
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