“Off the Page” with Evelyn Murphy by The Wren (Sarah E. Burr)

A Note from Sarah Burr: I’m handing the blogging reins to Winnie Lark, the main character in my Book Blogger Mysteries. Winnie runs a popular bookish website called What Spine is Yours (think Metacritic for the literary world). However, she manages it anonymously, and the online community only knows her as “The Wren.” She often interviews guest authors through their characters, and that’s the focus of today’s feature. Enjoy!

Greetings, bookish friends! The Wren, here. I’m tickled to introduce you all to Evelyn Murphy, the star of S.K. Golden’s Pinnacle Hotel Mysteries, set in the 1950s. She is coming off the page to chat about her latest outing in The Socialite's Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets.

Evelyn, welcome, and thank you for being here! It’s not every day that I get to pick the brain of an heiress. Could you tell me a little bit about your family? How did you get into the hotel business?

Thank you ever so much for having me! I’m delighted to be here. My father bought the Pinnacle Hotel for my mother when I was a child, as she loved being in New York most of all. Though Daddy spends most of the year traveling, I’m always here to make sure things go smoothly for our guests. I am also the Pinnacle’s very own party planner, which is a job Daddy says will teach me the value of a dollar. So far, it hasn’t taught me anything, except that I am exceptionally good at finding things other people have missed.

Ha! What a hoot.  I can tell we’re going to have fun together. What is your favorite thing about 1950s New York? And what’s one thing you could do without?

Oh, I love the park! I love looking at it from my balcony! Right now, the treetops are turning golden. It’s beautiful! I could do without the … general smell of New York City. At least it’s cold right now. That helps. Some.

Ah, that wonderous New York smell. Seems like that’s one thing about the city that will never change… LOL. I love the clothes and accessories from your era. Can you tell us about some of your favorite outfits to wear while on a case? What about jewelry?

We do have the most marvelous fashions, it’s true! I love a good wiggle dress. And matching accessories, always. Your shoes must match your hat which must match your gloves and your bag. This does get tricky, as I often need a bag big enough for my little puppy, Presley. He’s a Pomeranian and a bit small for his breed. But he is the perfect companion!

My mother gave me a pendant of Saint Anthony. It was the last gift she ever gave me before she was murdered. I wear it almost every day. You see, I’m good at finding things. I always have been. And Saint Anthony is the patron saint of lost things. One day, I hope I find her murderer.

I hope you find justice for her, too. I imagine her loss drives your need to right the wrongs in the world. Since your sleuthing takes place in the 1950s, how do you go about collecting information? And what makes you such a good amateur detective?

Why, gossip, of course. I keep my ear to the ground, so to speak. And my eyes on the ground, too. As I said, I am very good at finding things. But the maids and the waiters and the valets at my hotel hear just about everything that goes on – that is part of the reason I try and tip so well, no matter what Daddy says!

It always pays to treat service people kindly! In The Socialite's Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets, there’s a criminal known as a Gentleman’s Thief terrorizing the city’s wealthiest. How did this person get such a moniker?

The press will do anything to sell a paper, darling, including massaging the ego of a common thief. The reporter, Dottie Stewart, says it has to do with the fact that he leaves a calling card – a red pocket square – at every house he steals from. But I don’t trust her at all, and she certainly doesn’t like me.

Ooo, sounds like there’s some good gossip there, too! When you’re on a case, are you a solo investigator, or do you have a team to help you?

I do have a team! I’ve recently hired a former detective to be my personal private investigator. Really, he’s working on my mother’s murder case, but I can go to him for advice on anything that I have stumbled upon. Then there are my two best friends, Poppy and Henry, who are willing to pitch in with whatever I need. Henry is an actor, so he is fantastic at lying. Poppy is my assistant, she helps with the party planning and is an artist to boot, so she’s great at details.

Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that the Chief of Police is single and a little sweet on me. Not that I would ever take advantage of that fact.

I bet you wouldn’t dream of it, Evelyn! And it sounds like you’ve got a great group of friends supporting you on these fabulous adventures. Now, do you have any advice for other amateur sleuths?

Don’t be ashamed if you must ask for help. We can’t do everything on our own. I mean, I sometimes (every once in a while, not often at all, you understand) have trouble leaving the hotel. But with my dog or a friend, I can conquer that fear, and, really, once you’ve conquered a fear the first time, the second time is much easier.

Asking for help is sometimes the smartest thing a sleuth—amateur or professional—can do! Excellent advice, for sure. Evelyn, it’s been such fun getting to know you better. It sounds like you live an absolutely fascinating life. As the legendary Rhys Bowen says about you, “It’s as if Eloise is all grown up and a sassy, savvy sleuth at the Plaza Hotel.” I can think of no higher praise than that! Thanks for taking the time out of your hotelier life and coming “off the page” with me. Are there more adventures in store for you and your author, S. K. Golden?

Thank you again for having me, darling! I know SK has lots of plans for the future, so do be keeping your fingers crossed for us! Toodle-oo!

You bet I will, Evelyn! Bookish friends, to have more fun with Evelyn on her glamorous adventures, check out The Socialite’s Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets, available wherever books are sold.

To stay connected with Evelyn’s author, S. K. Golden, head to her website: https://www.skgolden.net.

Learn more about The Wren, Winnie, and the Book Blogger Mysteries at www.saraheburr.com.