Ask the Author: Ava Ness
Answered Questions (10)
Ava Ness
I wanted a name that felt unmistakably 1920s—bright, feminine, and just a little bit decadent. “Marigold” struck the perfect balance: charming, floral, and aristocratic, but also cheerful and unpretentious.
As for the “Lady”—well, it helps when you’re sneaking into country estates and being accused of murder to have a title on your side! Also I loved the name from Downton Abbey :)
As for the “Lady”—well, it helps when you’re sneaking into country estates and being accused of murder to have a title on your side! Also I loved the name from Downton Abbey :)
Ava Ness
Give me an amateur sleuth, a murder at a party, a grumpy-but-handsome inspector, and a dog that disrupts the crime scene—and I’m in heaven.
I love slow-burn romances, locked-room puzzles, mistaken identities, and the joy of watching a community come together to uncover the truth. And of course, fashion—solving crime is much more enjoyable in silk gloves.
I love slow-burn romances, locked-room puzzles, mistaken identities, and the joy of watching a community come together to uncover the truth. And of course, fashion—solving crime is much more enjoyable in silk gloves.
Ava Ness
I’ve always loved the glamour and contradictions of the 1920s—an era of jazz and change, social upheaval and secret scandals. It’s the perfect backdrop for murder and mischief.
Mix in vintage fashion, high society drama, and a heroine who doesn’t know how to behave, and you've got the perfect recipe for a cozy mystery with flair.
Mix in vintage fashion, high society drama, and a heroine who doesn’t know how to behave, and you've got the perfect recipe for a cozy mystery with flair.
Ava Ness
Each mystery is a standalone case, but I recommend reading the Lady Marigold series in order to fully enjoy the character arcs and slow-burn romance. Start with A Roaring Murder (Book 1), then continue with A High Society Murder (Book 2).
Plus, you’ll meet Pepper the Dandie Dinmont terrier early—and he has opinions.
Plus, you’ll meet Pepper the Dandie Dinmont terrier early—and he has opinions.
Ava Ness
That would be a spoiler, but I aim for slow-burn, full of banter, and threaded through the mystery rather than overtaking it. Lady Marigold often finds herself sparring with an annoyingly handsome inspector who may suspect her one moment… and admire her the next.
If you enjoy a little will-they-won’t-they with your whodunnit, you’re in the right place.
If you enjoy a little will-they-won’t-they with your whodunnit, you’re in the right place.
Ava Ness
What’s a mystery without a loyal (and occasionally mischievous) sidekick? Lady Marigold’s Dandie Dismount terrier, Pepper, is more than just a pet—he’s a confidante, distraction, and sometimes, an accidental clue-sniffer.
Cozy mysteries thrive on charm and companionship, and an adorable dog brings both in spades.
Cozy mysteries thrive on charm and companionship, and an adorable dog brings both in spades.
Ava Ness
Start with A Roaring Murder, Book 1 in the Lady Marigold’s 1920s Mysteries series. It’s a classic train-set cozy mystery full of suspects, secrets, and a former spy turned socialite sleuth who always seems to find trouble (and murder).
If you love vintage settings, clever dialogue, and martinis with your mayhem, you’ll feel right at home.
If you love vintage settings, clever dialogue, and martinis with your mayhem, you’ll feel right at home.
Ava Ness
I write stylish 1920s cozy mysteries starring glamorous amateur sleuths, charming sidekicks (often furry), and just enough danger to keep you turning the pages. Think murder on trains, scandals in manor houses, secrets in steamer trunks—always with a dash of fashion, found family, and slow-burn romance.
If you enjoy Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Agatha Christie, or sassy sleuths in silk, my books are for you.
If you enjoy Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Agatha Christie, or sassy sleuths in silk, my books are for you.
Ava Ness
I'm currently working on the first book in my Lady Amelia's 1920s Murder Mystery series. I haven't decided on the title yet, but Amelia is Australian and travels to England to investigate the death of her mother. When she arrives, she gets more than she's bargained for.
Ava Ness
A Roaring Murder was inspired by Murder on the Orient Express. I've read it more times than I can remember and I also love the audiobook with narration by David Suchet (aka Poirot).
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