Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Ann Smythe
Book Title: Murder in Lostmor
Released: 11/19/25
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Murder in Lostmor”?
Smythe: Murder in Lostmor is the sequel to Secrets of Lostmor. My primary inspiration for the series is my deep love for Cornwall, where I now live! This final instalment continues the story of Lily Sanders, her family, and some intriguing new acquaintances. I love combining Cornwall’s atmospheric, rugged coastline with a twisting murder mystery and exploring the far-reaching consequences of random encounters.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Smythe: As I mentioned when we chatted about the prequel, I generally choose names that organically suit a character’s personality. Often, I draw inspiration from people I have known in the past or from fictional characters who left an impression on me.
In Murder in Lostmor, Nora Berry, a children’s author, uses an alias as her pen name, which actually has some bearing on the unfolding plotline of the mystery!
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process, or your book?
Smythe: I’m not a rigid plotter, but I do spend weeks daydreaming and marinating on the storyline before typing a single word. I need to understand who my main characters are and what secrets they are keeping before I can successfully guide them through a murder mystery.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Smythe: Fortunately, I don’t suffer from severe writer’s block. If I find it hard to focus, I step away from my laptop and go for a walk. Living in Cornwall, a dose of fresh sea air and a change of scenery usually clears my head and solves any plot knots!
If you could have dinner with any character you’ve written, who would it be—and what would you talk about?
Smythe: The groundsman, Joe Newman. I would love to hear his life story and all about his love of birds and his secret aviary.Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
What’s the weirdest or most unexpected place you’ve gotten a story idea from?
Smythe: The movie Pulp Fiction. Its release was years before I started writing fiction, but I was fascinated by Quentin Tarantino’s clever use of random, unpredictable events to weave together a cohesive, exciting storyline. It taught me a lot about narrative structure.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Smythe: That is a big question! My favourite genres include suspense thrillers, horror, murder mysteries, and family dramas. If I have to pick just one classic, it’s The Stand by Stephen King, which I read back in the early ‘80s. More recently, All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker left a lasting impression on me.
What are you working on next?
Smythe: I am just about to start writing a brand-new Cornish thriller! The plot is still taking shape in my head, but I can tease that it involves a quirky fictional newsletter left randomly in local shops and stores—a newsletter that is darkly linked to a series of murders.
Want to Learn More About the Author and Murder in Lostmor?
https://www.facebook.com/ann.smythe.961
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