An Exclusive Interview with Clara McKenna — Author of Murder at Glenloch Hill

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:

Do you believe in serendipity — that fun word that means finding luck or good fortune? It was created in 1754 by eighteenth-century author Horace Walpole after he read The Three Princes of Serendip, a Persian fairy tale. 

Serendipity is exactly what happened to author Clara McKenna in 2021 — and her forthcoming historical mystery novel, Murder at Glenloch Hill, is the result of it. Read on to discover more in this insightful interview in celebration of the release of the book on November 26th.

Enjoy!

Best, Laurel

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INTERVIEW

Vintage poster of Old St. Andrews golf course in Scotland, by Henry George Gawthorn

After writing five previous Stella and Lyndy murder mysteries, what was the spark of inspiration for Murder at Glenloch Hill?

This is an easy one. In October 2021, at my husband’s request (he’s an avid golfer), I entered into a worldwide lottery system for the opportunity to purchase tickets to the 150th Open Championship which was to take place at The Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, the “birthplace” of golf. With over three million entrants, I had no real expectation of being chosen. However, when my name was selected, there was no doubt that my family and I were going. Once I arrived, having heard of the iconic golf course my whole life, I knew I had to set Stella & Lyndy’s next mystery there.

The stakes are very high for Lady Lyndhurst to solve the murder. Can you share a bit about the story and the characters involved?

Absolutely! The story centers around American-born Stella, Lady Lyndhurst, and her British husband Lyndy’s trip to Glenloch Hill, the Scottish country estate of her distant cousins, Hamish and Virginia McEwen. They’ve come to support Freddy Kentfield, Lady Alice’s fiancé, as he competes in the British Open at nearby St. Andrews. Their arrival is marred by the unwelcome presence of Sir Edwin Kentfield. When Stella overhears a maid being attacked and the maid accuses Sir Edwin—a former beau of Lyndy’s mother, Lady Atherly—Lyndy furiously defends both the maid’s honor and his mother’s by punching Sir Edwin. But when Sir Edwin is found bludgeoned to death with a golf club, Lyndy becomes the prime suspect. It’s up to Stella to clear her husband’s name and find the true killer.

Photo of the Hill of Travit, an Edwardian Manor House built between 1904 and 1908 near Cupar, Scotland. 

Set at a Scottish country estate in 1906, what was your research process for the novel, and did you discover anything surprising?

I love doing research and the surprises are my favorite part. With every one of my novels, I did a site visit as part of my research process. As I mentioned, I visited The Old Course and took in the sights, sounds, smells, and history of the place. I supplemented that with books about the history of the course and the game of golf. I even had a book with detailed information about the historical equipment an Edwardian gentleman golfer would use. But the best discovery I made was the National Trust of Scotland property called Hill of Travit. It is an Edwardian country estate that once belonged to a family of sports enthusiasts. The manor house can be toured, but I was lucky enough to stay several nights in the servants’ quarters while I attended the Open and researched the area. The property’s history, the gardens, and the Edwardian private golf course were the direct inspiration for Glenloch Hill. Even the manor house on the book’s cover was inspired by the real place.

Who was your favorite character to write in the story, and why?

Besides my main characters of Stella, Lady Lyndhurst, and her husband, Lord “Lyndy” Lyndhurst, I think my favorite character to write in the story was Mrs. Jeanie Agnew. Jeanie is a widowed, old friend of Virginia McEwen who doesn’t let her middle age diminish her lust for life or for men. She’s different from any character I’ve ever written before. She flirts, she drinks a bit too much, she indulges in behavior that is far less proper than most of the female characters that populate my country house mysteries. Needless to say, she was so much fun to write.

Did any of the classic country house murder mystery authors inspire your writing career? If so, please share three of your favorite books.

It’s cliché to say that Agatha Christie inspired my writing, but it’s true. I’ve been reading her since grade school and have watched every adaptation of her books produced for British television or film. There is something so compelling about the contrast between Christie’s depiction of genteel country house manners and the devious act of murder. I have to admit I’ve not read many others in the subgenre (though I’ve seen many on BritBox!), but now that you’ve asked, I’m inspired to go find books by some of the others. Although it is difficult to choose my favorite Christie country house mystery, I do love The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Hercule Poirot’s Christmas, and The Body in the Library.

What’s up next in your writing career?

Thank you for asking and thank you for this interview. I am currently finishing up the manuscript for Stella & Lyndy’s next mystery, number seven in the series, Murder at Cottonwood Creek, which takes the couple to Montana to unravel a mystery. The Earl of Atherly, Lyndy’s father, has disappeared while visiting a fossil expedition he funded using Stella’s inheritance money.  

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AUTHOR BIO

Clara McKenna is the author of the acclaimed Stella and Lyndy Mystery Series as well as other historical mysteries written under a different name. She is a member of Historical Novel Society and Sisters in Crime, as well as a founding member of Sleuths in Time, a cooperative group of historical mystery writers who encourage and promote each other’s work. McKenna has spent most of her working life in academia and is an avid traveler, a vintage teacup collector, a poet, and a self-professed anglophile. She lives with her family in a Victorian farmhouse near Ames, Iowa, and can be found online at ClaraMckenna.com.

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BOOK INFORMATION

• Murder at Glenloch Hill: A Stella and Lyndy Mystery (Book 6), by Clara McKenna
• Kensington Books (November 26, 2024)
• Hardcover, eBook, & audiobook (288) pages
• ISBN: 978-1496748515
• Genre: Historical Mystery, Edwardian Mystery, Amateur Sleuths

AMAZON | PUBLISHER | ADD TO GOODREADS

We received a gift copy of the book from the publisher. Book description & cover image courtesy of Kensington Books © 2024; text Clara McKenna & Laurel Ann Nattress © 2024, austenprose.com, an Amazon affiliate. No AI: material on Austenprose.com may not be used in datasets for, in the development of, or as inputs to generative AI programs.

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