Author / Character Interview with Aria Maher
This past August I had the pleasure of judging a short story competition hosted by Anela Deen. The winning entry was published in her newsletter, but I’m excited to host Aria Maher, the author of that entry, here on my blog. Aria is releasing her debut, Behind Her Mask Was Death, in just a few short days. Without further ado, here we go!
People do not generally think about death, especially not on the night they are going to die…
Devon Lavender never thought he’d end up in the middle of a murder mystery. But when an unnamed red haired woman dies in his arms on the dance floor in the middle of the Prince’s extravagant costume ball, it would seem obvious to everyone who the killer is. Devon finds himself with one chance, and one chance only, to prove his innocence and discover the real murderer, before it’s too late.
Behind Her Mask was Death releases October 1st, so keep an eye out for purchase links coming soon!
Ah, a nice murder mystery to curl up in bed with… Now, let’s hear a little bit more directly from Aria and Devon!
To start us off, can you, Aria, sum up your novel in a tweet?
A young gentleman goes to the Prince’s costume ball, where a lady dies in his arms and he must prove his innocence or be executed for murder
So, how did you two meet and how long ago was it?
Aria: As far as I can remember, it was last October when we ‘met’. I worked on the book, which is a novella, by the way, for a little less than a year before it was finished, and although other characters have come and gone, or changed substantially, Devon has always been the same.
Devon: We met right in the middle of things, really, at the Prince’s costume ball. Um… *laughs* It was… It was a very, er, interesting time. And, well, the next thing I know, I’m head over heels in trouble.
What was your first impression of each other?
Aria: The first thing I noticed about Devon is how very shy he is. He’s very cautious, but sometimes his head just takes over and he’ll do or say something that’s bound to get him in trouble.
Devon: Um… Well, Aria really seemed very polite, but a bit nervous as well. She, er, she is quite shy around people until she gets to know them, but I think sometimes she hides it by acting very, um… very cool towards people. *hesitates, then whispers very quietly* She can be, er, somewhat overbearing, sometimes…
What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened between you two?
Devon: Oh, saints…
Aria: *laughs* Esmeralda, definitely. She’s really the heroine of the story, but she’s just so very sarcastic and a bit off beat, I guess. She’s the only daughter of the Grand Marquis, who is the ruler of the kingdom of Plutch, where the story takes place, and even though she’s supposed to be the genteel, proper lady of the kingdom, she’s more interested in dead bodies than tiaras. But she’s taken a liking to Devon, and maybe a bit more than just a friendly one, if you know what I mean, and that’s just embarrassment waiting to happen.
Aria, what do you feel the worst about doing to Devon?
Oh, everything. I just feel really bad for him, because the entire plot hinges on the fact that if he doesn’t figure out who the real murderer is, the Grand Marquis is going to have him executed. The book is mostly me just doing bad things to him. He’s fallen like ten feet down a dumbwaiter shaft and been chased through the palace by angry guards. But I probably feel worst about inflicting Esmeralda upon him.
Ooh, you have the evil author thing down really good, I can see! 
