MC Beaton Fans - My Interview with RW Green
Here's an excerpt of my interview with RW Green. Watch the full interview at www.jodemillman.com
Chatting with R.W. Green about Marion and Agatha
Recently, I had the honor of chatting with Rod Green about M.C. Beaton and all things Agatha Raisin. Here’s an excerpt from our wide-ranging conversation.
When did you start working with Marion (M.C. Beaton)?
I’d know Marion for over twenty years as my wife was her publisher, and the first book I worked on with Marion was “Beating around the Bush.” Marion was amazing. She had lots of ideas and a wicked sense of humor, but she wasn’t well enough to sit at the computer and pound out the words. I became involved to help her complete that book and I first received credited on “Hot to Trot”.
What did you and Marion talk about?
We talked about lots of things that could happen to Agatha and Hamish, which she’d stored all away in her mind. I’m still working with some of the ideas that we discussed over three years ago. (Marion died in 2019). While Marion dredged all the ideas from the back of her mind, I took copious notes about the characters and places like Barfield House, Carsely, and the Church. I don’t want to spoil anything for the Agatha fans. I don’t want to feel like I’m letting them down.
Was Marion open about sharing her stories with you?
Because we knew each other, she was quite happy to talk about her Birmingham upbringing, and what she’d accomplished professionally in her life. We had a lot in common (and she’d done them better than I had). Marion was happy to share. She knew I would understand what she was talking about. I was there to help. It was a huge honor and privilege for Marion to trust me with her inventions. It was scary.
Agatha seems haunted by her past. Does Agatha want to be someone other than who she is?
Agatha is very competent and she likes to get her own way. She doesn’t like anyone bettering her under any circumstances. During her past in PR, she owned the world. Now, underneath it all, she’s retired to the Cotswold and is a reasonably wealthy woman. Agatha didn’t need to set up Raisin Investigations. She didn’t need the income. Agatha did it because she couldn’t stand doing nothing. Investigating provided her with a sense of satisfaction, and she’ll carry on doing it. And Agatha will never get any older. Neither will Hamish. They will defy the aging process.
Will Agatha ever find true love?
Agatha never recognizes it when it’s staring her in the face. However, she’s fond of Detective John Glass who appears in “Dead on Target”. She’ll be seeing him again although he’s off globetrotting the world. James Lacey is still next door but he’s finally accepted that he and Agatha can work better if they remain friends rather than getting married. James will still be a confidante and comfort because they care for each other. James has had his time as her romantic interest.
What’s next for Agatha Raisin?
The next book is called “Killing Time” due out in 2024.
Dead on Target
Chatting with R.W. Green about Marion and Agatha
Recently, I had the honor of chatting with Rod Green about M.C. Beaton and all things Agatha Raisin. Here’s an excerpt from our wide-ranging conversation.
When did you start working with Marion (M.C. Beaton)?
I’d know Marion for over twenty years as my wife was her publisher, and the first book I worked on with Marion was “Beating around the Bush.” Marion was amazing. She had lots of ideas and a wicked sense of humor, but she wasn’t well enough to sit at the computer and pound out the words. I became involved to help her complete that book and I first received credited on “Hot to Trot”.
What did you and Marion talk about?
We talked about lots of things that could happen to Agatha and Hamish, which she’d stored all away in her mind. I’m still working with some of the ideas that we discussed over three years ago. (Marion died in 2019). While Marion dredged all the ideas from the back of her mind, I took copious notes about the characters and places like Barfield House, Carsely, and the Church. I don’t want to spoil anything for the Agatha fans. I don’t want to feel like I’m letting them down.
Was Marion open about sharing her stories with you?
Because we knew each other, she was quite happy to talk about her Birmingham upbringing, and what she’d accomplished professionally in her life. We had a lot in common (and she’d done them better than I had). Marion was happy to share. She knew I would understand what she was talking about. I was there to help. It was a huge honor and privilege for Marion to trust me with her inventions. It was scary.
Agatha seems haunted by her past. Does Agatha want to be someone other than who she is?
Agatha is very competent and she likes to get her own way. She doesn’t like anyone bettering her under any circumstances. During her past in PR, she owned the world. Now, underneath it all, she’s retired to the Cotswold and is a reasonably wealthy woman. Agatha didn’t need to set up Raisin Investigations. She didn’t need the income. Agatha did it because she couldn’t stand doing nothing. Investigating provided her with a sense of satisfaction, and she’ll carry on doing it. And Agatha will never get any older. Neither will Hamish. They will defy the aging process.
Will Agatha ever find true love?
Agatha never recognizes it when it’s staring her in the face. However, she’s fond of Detective John Glass who appears in “Dead on Target”. She’ll be seeing him again although he’s off globetrotting the world. James Lacey is still next door but he’s finally accepted that he and Agatha can work better if they remain friends rather than getting married. James will still be a confidante and comfort because they care for each other. James has had his time as her romantic interest.
What’s next for Agatha Raisin?
The next book is called “Killing Time” due out in 2024.
Dead on Target
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