Episodes

Michelle Cox’s genre bending series Henrietta and Inspector Howard blends mystery, romance and family saga into a Chicago Cinderella tale of Downton Abbey meets Upstairs Downstairs that her readers adore. Hi there, I’m your host Jenny Wheeler, and today Michelle talks about her passion for period drama and 1930s Chicago, how working in a nursing home got her started writing, and what she’d do differently if she were starting over again. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading ...

Catherine Bennetto’s laugh out loud romantic comedies deal with the “Bridget Jones” dilemmas of contemporary life – unexpected pregnancies, failed love affairs – have been praised by critics for their wit, charm and freshness. Hello there, I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today Catherine talks about the darker side of rom com, working on top TV shows, and marrying your best friend. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episode: Why Catherine writes what she likes to re...

Elizabeth Kingston was reading racy historical romance as a pre-teen so it’s not surprising she’s a successful author of two historical romance series – one Regency, and the other in 13th century Wales. His there, I’m your host Jenny Wheeler, and today Elizabeth talks about keeping historical romance relevant for modern readers, her obsession with the Mitford sisters, and protecting against creative burnout. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episode: Why protectin...

Nicky Pellegrino’s readers tell her that if they can’t go to Italy on holiday, reading one of her eleven novels so full of friendship, laughter, beautiful Italian food and sunshine is the next best thing. HI there I’m your host Jenny Wheeler, and today Nicky talks about her affinity for all things Italian, the ‘Seize the Day’ experience that made her determined to write fiction, and the foodie tour she’s leading to Sicily in 2020. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episod...

Liz Freeland’s new mystery hero Louise Faulk is one of New York’s first woman police officers, a sharp-witted young woman of modest means who solves murders and combats prejudice as she builds an independent life in 1913 New York. Hi there I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today Liz talks about her long lived career and what’s kept her going as she’s published close 50 books in romance, chick lit, family drama and now her new mystery series. Here’s great news! We’ve got five signed copies of Boo...

Kathryn Hughes’ first dual time line novel, The Letter, became a word-of-mouth best seller that knocked Gone Girl off Kindle’s Number One spot. Hi there I’m your host Jenny Wheeler, and today Kathryn talks about her stories of family secrets and deep emotion, and having actress Joanne Froggart – Anna Bates in Downton Abbey – voice her third book, The Key – for audio. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episode: The difference between writing a book and being a writer The...

Peter Watt’s big canvas Australian historicals have garnered a popular following far beyond the shores of his homeland. And that’s how Peter – a man of action who’s been described as “the Australian Wilbur Smith” – likes it, because he’s always had a primary aim of entertaining readers and elevating Aussie stories to international notice. Hi there, I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today Peter talks about living his dream life – volunteer fire fighting for six months of the year and writing his n...

Nicola Upson’s Josephine Tey mystery series began as research for a biography about a writer who captivated her imagination. . . and grew into a highly acclaimed long running mystery series centered on the life on one of literature’s “lone wolves.” Hi there, I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today Nicola talks about why Tey is in a class of her own, how the 20s and 30s are still relevant for 21st century women, and her Cambridge radio show. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Readin...

Amidst the beauty of Cornwall, two women struggle with their past: one cannot remember hers, the other cannot forget… Hi there I’m your host Jenny Wheeler. The Guardian newspaper called Liz Fenwick the “Queen of the Cornish novel” and today Liz talks about the emotional stories of family secrets and lies across generations she loves to write – and explains why Cornwall is the perfect place for heart-deep drama. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episode: Liz’s dedication ...

Lily Graham’s dual timeline fiction always finds hope in heartbreak – a result she says of being inspired by people who overcome adversity to pursue their dreams. It’s something Lily had to learn to do very early in her own life. Hi there, I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today Lily talks about how she got started in writing, and gives listeners a great opportunity to enter a draw for a signed paperback copy of her book The Island Villa. It’s a dramatic tale of two sisters living in a time of fe...

Women’s fiction author Lindsey’s Kelk has made her name with her I Heart romance series featuring the adventures of Angela, a British magazine editor who moves to New York – but she’s just as happy writing stand alone rom coms. The most recent of those – One In A Million – is described as “Bridget Jones meets My Fair Lady for the social media set” – and has been warmly endorsed by stars like Marian Keyes. Six things you’ll learn about Lindsey from this Joys of Binge Reading episode: How a cyni...

Christine Trent’s addictive mysteries edge into the dark and Gothic – Victorian England through the eyes of Violet Harper, the undertaker heroine of the Lady of Ashes series, or the nightmare of the Crimea as seen by Florence Nightingale. Hi there, I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today Christine talks about the mentor who inspired her to write, and where’s she’s performing Lady of the Lamp, her one-woman show on Florence Nightingale’s life.. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge ...

Mystery author Clara Benson could say – along with Mark Twain – that “reports of her death have been greatly exaggerated” – but she only has herself to blame. She wrote her popular 10-book Angela Marchmont series in the persona of a long-dead 1920s author named – you guessed it – Clara Benson. And when she confessed to her readers that Clara was a pen name and that she was very much alive in the 21st century, just a few of them weren’t too pleased. Mostly though, they enjoyed the ruse and begged...

Ashley Weaver is a mild-mannered Louisiana librarian who enjoys creating mayhem in her Amory Ames mystery series, presenting husband and wife amateur sleuths reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s Poirot – complete with country houses, elegant parties and unexpected death. Hi there, I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today Ashley talks about the tricky relationship between Amory and her playboy husband Milo, and gives her take on why cozy murders are so popular. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys ...

The inspiration for Annie Seaton’s first fiction was a love letter she received from a teenage boyfriend – written on mauve toilet paper and so long that it took up pretty well the whole roll . . . Fast forward to today and Annie’s a recognised brand in Australian fiction, with nearly 40 romances, time travel and rural fiction titles to her credit. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episode: Living the ‘perfect life’ in the Whitsundays Why Aussie rural fiction is so...

Camille Di Maio found inspiration for her first best selling historical fiction in a Beatles song – and then had the good fortune to meet the song’s composer and tell him about it! Hi there, I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today Camille talks about how history found her – rather than the other way round – and her latest book, based around the Marilyn Monroe classic Some Like It Hot and with another the ghost in story – the ghost in the Hotel Coronado! Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of ...

Robin Oliveira got started writing her first book after she saw a ghost – yes – quite literally! Hi there I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today Robin talks about the unusual visitation that prompted a lot of questions, and tells what she’d do differently if she was starting out all over again. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episode: Why she is obsessed with ’19th century glass ceilings’ How not listening to the discouragers worked for her The holy delight of explorin...

Julie McElwain’s time travel mystery series featuring FBI profiler Kendra Donovan set in 1815 London has been described as ‘Jane Austen meets the Alias TV series.’ She’s made top sci fi and mystery lists every year since the series was launched, with ‘Most addictive mystery” one of the accolades. Hi there, I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today Julie talks about what working in the world of TV soaps has taught her and why she’s never read Diana Gabaldon. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys o...

Anna Lee Huber‘s dark Gothic-themed Lady Darby mysteries have attracted a strong following and won awards, but she’s not one to rest on her laurels. HI there I’m your host Jenny Wheeler, and today Anna talks about her new mystery hero, World War I spy Verity Kent; she explains why she’s also started Gothic Mist, a new romantic suspense series, and tells of the one thing, that more than any other, is the secret to her success. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episode: Wh...

Jessica Fellowes’ Mitford Murders mysteries have all it – the famous blue blood sisters, fabulous fashion, murder – and a Downton Abbey style TV series already in the planning. Not surprising when you realize that Jessica is already the author of five best-selling Downton show guides. Hi there I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today Jessica talks about mixing fact and fiction in her mysteries and how a former deputy editor of Country Life came to write murder mysteries. Six things you’ll learn f...

Tessa Lunney’s party girl hero Kiki Button poses for Pablo Picasso in Bohemian Paris in the first book of a mystery series that gently prods at serious questions – like how to be a ‘modern woman.’ Hi there I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today Tessa talks about why she’s obsessed with 1920s Paris, how her doctorate on war literature helped shape Kiki’s character, and why Harry Potter saved her in the early days of motherhood. But before we talk to Tessa, just a reminder that the show notes for...

Timothy Hallinan’s mysteries and thrillers have made numerous Top Ten Lists for their imaginative verve and humor – and his latest release Nighttown – No 7 in the Junior Bender series, is no exception. Hi there I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today Tim talks about he’s how an LA burglar came to star in a series which proves bad guys have the most fun, and why writing is better than the best job ever. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episode: Why writing is more fun than...

H.Y. Hanna’s Oxford Tearoom Mysteries starring intrepid graduate Gemma Rose and her cheeky cat, are for fans of TV shows like Inspector Morse and Midsomer Murders, with twisty tales set in classic English villages. Hi there I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today H.Y. – known to her friends as Hsin Yee – talks about her years as an Oxford student and why food and animals play such a big role in her stories. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episode: How HY got started writ...

Rennie Airth’s gentleman detective John Madden investigates serial killer cases long before the phrase ‘serial killer’ was ever coined, in a police procedural series that paints a riveting picture of a post war Britain in turmoil. Hi there I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and today Rennie talks about having lunch with his hero Graham Greene and why he learnt more from writing a bad book than a good one. Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episode: How First World War family his...