When I knew Midnight Ink was going to fold, I put out a call to the authors, saying I would be happy to do an interview or post a guest post from any of them. Edith Maxwell’s Quaker Midwife series has been published by Midnight Ink. The latest, Charity’s Burden, will be released April 8.
Edith was once kind enough to speak at one of our library branches. Her Country Store mysteries, written under the name Maddie Day, are set in southern Indiana. And, we had a delightful dinner, together with Edith’s sister. I’m happy to host her, and I’m glad she was willing to answer some questions. Thank you, Edith.
*****
Edith, would you introduce yourself to readers?
Hi, readers, and thank you for inviting me, Lesa! Who am I? I’m
an author, a sister, a mom to two awesome thirty-something sons, and a
long-time partner to an excellent man (we also have two elderly cats, but as
they were originally his, they don’t quite regard me as their furbaby mama). I
grew up in the Pasadena area of California and on my mom’s side (who hails from
the San Francisco Flahertys) I’m fourth generation. Alas, I have now lived
longer in the greater Boston area than I did in the Golden State – and it turns
out I love four distinct seasons and snow.
an author, a sister, a mom to two awesome thirty-something sons, and a
long-time partner to an excellent man (we also have two elderly cats, but as
they were originally his, they don’t quite regard me as their furbaby mama). I
grew up in the Pasadena area of California and on my mom’s side (who hails from
the San Francisco Flahertys) I’m fourth generation. Alas, I have now lived
longer in the greater Boston area than I did in the Golden State – and it turns
out I love four distinct seasons and snow.
I have had a number of other careers – car mechanic, ESL teacher in Japan,
linguistics professor, freelance journalist, doula, organic farmer, and
technical writer – but writing fiction makes me happier than any other job I’ve
had.
linguistics professor, freelance journalist, doula, organic farmer, and
technical writer – but writing fiction makes me happier than any other job I’ve
had.
Tell us about Rose Carroll.
One of my favorite protagonists, she’s an independent
businesswoman in her mid-twenties who follows her calling by helping women
through their pregnancies, births, and postpartum health. She apprenticed with
Orpha, a midwife who has retired but still serves as Rose’s mentor. Rose is a
Quaker (like me) and did not grow up in Amesbury. All of this serves to make
her an outsider in the community, a perfect situation for an amateur sleuth.
She can go around asking questions, and people don’t expect her to act as
conventionally as others. On the personal side, Rose works hard. She’s kind and
soft-spoken, and values her family and friends. She’s betrothed to a non-Quaker
whose mother doesn’t approve of Rose, but physician David Dodge doesn’t care
and is devoted to Rose. Her church isn’t so sure about Rose “marrying out,”
either.
businesswoman in her mid-twenties who follows her calling by helping women
through their pregnancies, births, and postpartum health. She apprenticed with
Orpha, a midwife who has retired but still serves as Rose’s mentor. Rose is a
Quaker (like me) and did not grow up in Amesbury. All of this serves to make
her an outsider in the community, a perfect situation for an amateur sleuth.
She can go around asking questions, and people don’t expect her to act as
conventionally as others. On the personal side, Rose works hard. She’s kind and
soft-spoken, and values her family and friends. She’s betrothed to a non-Quaker
whose mother doesn’t approve of Rose, but physician David Dodge doesn’t care
and is devoted to Rose. Her church isn’t so sure about Rose “marrying out,”
either.
Without spoilers, please tell us about Charity’s Burden.
Charity
Skells dies in the winter of 1889 from an apparent early miscarriage. Rose
wonders about the copious amount of blood and realizes it was from an
incompetently or murderously executed abortion. Charity’s husband seems to be
up to no good with a young woman. The woman’s mother, who goes by the
mysterious name of Madame Restante, appears to offer illegal herbal birth
control and abortions. A disgraced physician in town does the same. Charity’s
cousin mistakenly thinks he will take control of his father’s estate, part of
which has been left for Charity’s children. Rose once again works with police
detective Kevin Donovan to solve the case before another life is taken.
Skells dies in the winter of 1889 from an apparent early miscarriage. Rose
wonders about the copious amount of blood and realizes it was from an
incompetently or murderously executed abortion. Charity’s husband seems to be
up to no good with a young woman. The woman’s mother, who goes by the
mysterious name of Madame Restante, appears to offer illegal herbal birth
control and abortions. A disgraced physician in town does the same. Charity’s
cousin mistakenly thinks he will take control of his father’s estate, part of
which has been left for Charity’s children. Rose once again works with police
detective Kevin Donovan to solve the case before another life is taken.
Of
course Rose’s clients also come to her when they wish not to be pregnant. Rose
knows a great deal about herbs and counsels her moms, despite the highly
restrictive Comstock Laws enacted the decade prior. These laws made even
talking about birth control illegal. And Rose would never recommend a surgical
termination to one of her women. It was simply too dangerous. This book touches
on the culture of preventing pregnancy, usually for the mother’s health, in the
era and the repercussions that result.
course Rose’s clients also come to her when they wish not to be pregnant. Rose
knows a great deal about herbs and counsels her moms, despite the highly
restrictive Comstock Laws enacted the decade prior. These laws made even
talking about birth control illegal. And Rose would never recommend a surgical
termination to one of her women. It was simply too dangerous. This book touches
on the culture of preventing pregnancy, usually for the mother’s health, in the
era and the repercussions that result.
Edith, you write several series that are influenced by your
life. Would you tell us about that?
life. Would you tell us about that?
I just turned in my seventh Country Store Mystery (and my
twenty-first novel), which is published by Kensington Publishing under the name
Maddie Day. Robbie Jordan is a chef-carpenter in South Lick, Indiana down near
Kentucky, and owns and runs a country story breakfast and lunch restaurant, as
well as B&B rooms upstairs. I lived in southern Indiana for five years and
have a long Maxwell family history there. I love revisiting the region and
bringing colorful sayings into the speech of several continuing characters. Strangled Eggs and Ham will release in
June.
twenty-first novel), which is published by Kensington Publishing under the name
Maddie Day. Robbie Jordan is a chef-carpenter in South Lick, Indiana down near
Kentucky, and owns and runs a country story breakfast and lunch restaurant, as
well as B&B rooms upstairs. I lived in southern Indiana for five years and
have a long Maxwell family history there. I love revisiting the region and
bringing colorful sayings into the speech of several continuing characters. Strangled Eggs and Ham will release in
June.
Also as Maddie Day I write the Cozy Capers Book Group
Mysteries. Murder on Cape Cod came
out this winter (in a one-year exclusive sold only at Barnes & Noble, it
will be reissued on all platforms in January, 2020). Mac Almeida operates a
bike rental and repair shop in her (fictional) Cape Cod hometown. She’s also a
member of the Cozy Capers, a book group that only reads cozy mysteries. When
Mac literally stumbles across a body in the fog on the bike path, the other
book group members dive in to help solve the murder.
Mysteries. Murder on Cape Cod came
out this winter (in a one-year exclusive sold only at Barnes & Noble, it
will be reissued on all platforms in January, 2020). Mac Almeida operates a
bike rental and repair shop in her (fictional) Cape Cod hometown. She’s also a
member of the Cozy Capers, a book group that only reads cozy mysteries. When
Mac literally stumbles across a body in the fog on the bike path, the other
book group members dive in to help solve the murder.
As Edith Maxwell I drew on my past running a small certified
organic farm to write the five-book Local Foods Mysteries featuring
geek-turned-farmer Cam Flaherty, the Westbury Locavore Club, and locally
sourced murder. The most recent release was Mulch
Ado About Murder. I also write award-winning short fiction. “Sushi
Lessons,” in which I tap some experiences I had living in Japan decades ago,
will appear in Mystery Most Edible
from Wildside Press in May.
organic farm to write the five-book Local Foods Mysteries featuring
geek-turned-farmer Cam Flaherty, the Westbury Locavore Club, and locally
sourced murder. The most recent release was Mulch
Ado About Murder. I also write award-winning short fiction. “Sushi
Lessons,” in which I tap some experiences I had living in Japan decades ago,
will appear in Mystery Most Edible
from Wildside Press in May.
When guests come to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where do you
take them?
take them?
I walk friends around downtown. We visit the rushing Powow
River that runs right under Main Street. We wander the Upper Millyard where the
textile mills and other mills before that time made use of the river’s power.
For special guests who have read my Quaker Midwife Mysteries, I also point out
places where different book events take place. In the car we’ll drive by the
Friends Meetinghouse and John Greenleaf Whittier’s home museum, head down to
the wide Merrimac River, and make a loop back over Carriage Hill, where the
carriage factories churned out world-famous carriages. Amesbury is a lovely historic
town, and I’m blessed to live in it.
River that runs right under Main Street. We wander the Upper Millyard where the
textile mills and other mills before that time made use of the river’s power.
For special guests who have read my Quaker Midwife Mysteries, I also point out
places where different book events take place. In the car we’ll drive by the
Friends Meetinghouse and John Greenleaf Whittier’s home museum, head down to
the wide Merrimac River, and make a loop back over Carriage Hill, where the
carriage factories churned out world-famous carriages. Amesbury is a lovely historic
town, and I’m blessed to live in it.
If you had to recommend 5 books for a person to read so they
could get a feel for you and your reading taste, what 5 would you pick?
could get a feel for you and your reading taste, what 5 would you pick?
Wow. I’ll give it a try.
In the Bleak Midwinter
by Julia Spencer-Fleming – the storytelling, the depth of character – I am
blown away by everything she writes.
by Julia Spencer-Fleming – the storytelling, the depth of character – I am
blown away by everything she writes.
You’ll Never Know Dear
by Hallie Ephron – she is the master of domestic suspense, and I snap up every
new release from Hallie.
by Hallie Ephron – she is the master of domestic suspense, and I snap up every
new release from Hallie.
What Gold Buys by
Ann Parker – In the Silver Rush mysteries set in Colorado around the time when my series
is set, Ann does a fabulous job of bringing the past to life.
Ann Parker – In the Silver Rush mysteries set in Colorado around the time when my series
is set, Ann does a fabulous job of bringing the past to life.
Death on the Menu
by Lucy Burdette – a culinary cozy series that takes place on Key West, with great
writing, delectable food descriptions, and characters you’ll fall in love with.
by Lucy Burdette – a culinary cozy series that takes place on Key West, with great
writing, delectable food descriptions, and characters you’ll fall in love with.
And – this is cheating – ALL of the books by ALL the Wicked Authors
and their pen names: Jessie Crockett, Julie Hennrikus, Sherry Harris, Liz
Mugavero, and Barbara Ross. Seriously. You will get a range of excellent
traditional, cozy, and historical mysteries that say a lot about my own taste
in reading.
and their pen names: Jessie Crockett, Julie Hennrikus, Sherry Harris, Liz
Mugavero, and Barbara Ross. Seriously. You will get a range of excellent
traditional, cozy, and historical mysteries that say a lot about my own taste
in reading.
What books did you love as a child?
I devoured all the Laura Ingalls Wilder books several times
over. It turns out they’re set during the same period as my historical series,
and some of the aspects of everyday life were identical. I read Sherlock Holmes,
Poe, and Jules Verne at a young age, and of course made my way through the Nancy
Drew mysteries. I was also a big fan of biographies of historical women like
Jane Addams, Clara Barton, and others.
over. It turns out they’re set during the same period as my historical series,
and some of the aspects of everyday life were identical. I read Sherlock Holmes,
Poe, and Jules Verne at a young age, and of course made my way through the Nancy
Drew mysteries. I was also a big fan of biographies of historical women like
Jane Addams, Clara Barton, and others.
I loved the Borrowers series, too, the All-of-a-Kind-Family
books, the Mushroom Planet series, the Cherry Ames Student Nurse mysteries, and
the Black Stallion books. Now I want to go back and re-read all of them! My mom
had filled our living room bookshelves with mysteries (where I discovered Conan
Doyle and Poe), so I moved on to Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, and Erle Stanley
Gardner soon enough.
books, the Mushroom Planet series, the Cherry Ames Student Nurse mysteries, and
the Black Stallion books. Now I want to go back and re-read all of them! My mom
had filled our living room bookshelves with mysteries (where I discovered Conan
Doyle and Poe), so I moved on to Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, and Erle Stanley
Gardner soon enough.
What author or book do you think is underappreciated?
I loved all four Hattie Davish mysteries from Anna Loan
Wilsey, as well as both of Nancy Herriman’s in her Mystery of Old San Francisco
series. These women clearly do their research homework in more or less the same
period in which I write, and their storytelling is compelling. I’m delighted
Nancy has a new series set in Tudor England, and I’ve heard Anna might have a
new project in the works under a pen name. Read these ladies!
Wilsey, as well as both of Nancy Herriman’s in her Mystery of Old San Francisco
series. These women clearly do their research homework in more or less the same
period in which I write, and their storytelling is compelling. I’m delighted
Nancy has a new series set in Tudor England, and I’ve heard Anna might have a
new project in the works under a pen name. Read these ladies!
What’s on your TBR pile?
I have the three recent releases of my Wicked Authors
blogmates – Liz Mugavero, Sherry Harris, and Barbara Ross – to catch up on, as
well as Gigi Pandian’s latest Accidental Alchemist mystery and talented
Boston-area author Joanna Schaffhausen’s new No Mercy.
blogmates – Liz Mugavero, Sherry Harris, and Barbara Ross – to catch up on, as
well as Gigi Pandian’s latest Accidental Alchemist mystery and talented
Boston-area author Joanna Schaffhausen’s new No Mercy.
As you know, I’m a librarian, so I like to end with this. Tell
us about a story about a library or librarian that influenced you.
us about a story about a library or librarian that influenced you.
In the suburb of Los Angeles where I grew up, the Temple City Public Library
felt like my second home. I still remember finally being old enough to write my
name in the small blank and get my first library card. I had two older sisters,
big readers both, so I was used being there. In the summers, the children’s
librarian (who, alas, I don’t remember distinctly) ran reading contests. The
year I was about eight, the contest had a pirate theme. For every book you read
and wrote a short report for, complete with illustration, you got a gold coin
sticker in your treasure chest. I won that summer, getting more pieces of eight
than anyone! I read, I scribbled and drew, and started a new book. As the third
child of four, I was always a bit competitive. To discover I could compete at
reading? A dream come true. I still read too fast.
felt like my second home. I still remember finally being old enough to write my
name in the small blank and get my first library card. I had two older sisters,
big readers both, so I was used being there. In the summers, the children’s
librarian (who, alas, I don’t remember distinctly) ran reading contests. The
year I was about eight, the contest had a pirate theme. For every book you read
and wrote a short report for, complete with illustration, you got a gold coin
sticker in your treasure chest. I won that summer, getting more pieces of eight
than anyone! I read, I scribbled and drew, and started a new book. As the third
child of four, I was always a bit competitive. To discover I could compete at
reading? A dream come true. I still read too fast.
Bio:
Edith
Maxwell writes the Quaker Midwife Mysteries, the Local Foods Mysteries, and
award-winning short crime fiction. As Maddie Day she writes the Country Store
Mysteries and the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries. Maxwell, with seventeen
novels in print and four more completed, has been nominated for an Agatha Award
six times. She lives north of Boston with her beau and two elderly cats, and
gardens and cooks when she isn’t killing people on the page or wasting time on
Facebook. Please find her at edithmaxwell.com, on Instagram, and at the Wicked Authors blog.
Maxwell writes the Quaker Midwife Mysteries, the Local Foods Mysteries, and
award-winning short crime fiction. As Maddie Day she writes the Country Store
Mysteries and the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries. Maxwell, with seventeen
novels in print and four more completed, has been nominated for an Agatha Award
six times. She lives north of Boston with her beau and two elderly cats, and
gardens and cooks when she isn’t killing people on the page or wasting time on
Facebook. Please find her at edithmaxwell.com, on Instagram, and at the Wicked Authors blog.
Nice interview. Sounds like she's had quite an interesting life.
Thanks, Jeffrey. I have!
Edith, this is not my usual kind of book, but a couple of the series sound like something I would like, so will check them out.
Very nice, Edith! And I second Julia Spencer Fleming books.
Loved this interview, Edith! I love how you bring Amesbury to life for your readers and even do tours!
Thanks so much, Vicki and Shari!
I think my favorite series as the Lauren Rousseau Mysteries as by Tace Baker. I also am fond of the authors Edith mentioned and want to look up two new to me authors Anna Loan Wilsey and Nancy Herriman. Thank you for writing so we may enjoy.
Thanks, Gram. Lauren is on a semi-permanent sabbatical, but who knows, she might pop up in a short story or two! Enjoy Anna and Nancy's books – they're the best.
Wonderful interview Edith and Lesa! We are all in awe of how many wonderful books Edith has produced in her new career!