Turning the Tables

Louise Jenkins interviews the author of Murder at Twin Beeches

Louise Jenkins is sitting in her study at Twin Beeches. Birds are chirping and a squirrel is perched on the windowsill staring in at Louise. Its name is Florence. More about the squirrel another time.

Welcome to my favorite room in the house. The window seat offers a lovely view of my garden. The antique desk is where I write notes to friends, and, beginning today, where I will occasionally create a post for our author Maria Leonhauser’s blog. She’s busy working on our second book so I thought this might free up some of her time.

The five portraits hanging on the wall across from my desk are my ancestors — from Samuel Jenkins the first, who built Twin Beeches, to my father, Samuel Jenkins the fifth. I simply refer to them as The Samuels. They can be an oversized presence at times, but that’s inevitable when you live in what is essentially a giant family memoir, each room holding glimpses of previous generations. Fortunately, the murder didn’t happen here in the study. That would have been too much! The Samuels would have been aghast.

As you may be aware, Murder at Twin Beeches, the book not the crime, took a VERY long time to complete. But our author never gave up — though at times we, her characters, had to step in to move things along.

Today, Maria has agreed to spend a few minutes with me. My dearest friend, Ruth Richards, lobbied hard to be the first interviewee, but I cautioned her against being too aggressive. I told her, “Be careful, Maria can easily write you out of the next book.” At which point Ruth told me to give Maria her best wishes.

Louise Jenkins: Maria, it’s good to have you back at Twin Beeches.

Maria Leonhauser: It’s great to be back, especially since there’s no body to be found.

Louise: Thankfully. Who would have thought that . . .

Maria: Louise, I must stop you there. You can’t give away the ending when some people are just reading the beginning.

Louise: Of course I won’t mention, well, you know. What I want to say is, who would have thought that you would bring us characters together again for your upcoming book after all the fits and starts we gave you during this first one. Leaving a chapter, coming back pages later. And how did you keep up with some of the shenanigans people — whose names I won’t mention — were up to?

Maria: Well, you all were more than patient with me.

Louise: I worried about you at times. I thought you might give up.

Maria: No worries there. I love writing fiction.

Louise: Fiction. I really don't like that word. It makes me feel so, so fake.

Maria: Well, Louise, you are . . .

Louise quickly flips open her notebook, clears her throat, and smiles.

Louise: Let’s just get right down to business. I know you’re very busy.

Maria: Fire away.

Louise: How did you find all of us? Your characters.

Maria: That began decades ago when I first attempted to write a mystery. It was awful.

Louise pats Maria’s arm.

Louise: Yes, dear, it wasn’t your best effort.

Maria: That’s an understatement. But I learned a lot about writing. I scrapped the book, but I appreciate that you, your daughter Amelia, and Detective Tony Mardi were willing to give it another go.

Louise: Well, we weren’t going to abandon you. The book, yes, but not you. We knew you had it in you.

Maria: Moving the setting from Philadelphia to Bucks County also provided me with a very eclectic cast of new characters. A few have characteristics of people I’ve met over time.

Louise: Was I modeled after your mother?

Maria: In part. Louise was Mom’s middle name. Her first name was Gertrude.

Louise: I prefer Louise.

Maria: I gave you some of her whimsy.

Louise: Yes, it fits me well. And thank you for her gold charm bracelet. It’s quite lovely.

Maria: I’m glad you like it. My father bought her charms during our family trips. The edelweiss is from Austria, double decker bus from London . . .

Telephone rings. Louise answers.

Louise: Hello, Ruthie. I’m talking to our creator. May I call you a bit later? Louise rolls her eyes. “No, I’m not in church. Our creator. Maria Leonhauser. Yes, I will be sure to give her your regards. No, I don't know what her plans are for us. Bye, Ruthie.”

Maria: Louise, we’re all going to have more adventures together. Let’s get started.

Louise claps her hands. Her charm bracelet jingles. It sounds like a giggle.