Marci Kay Monson is the author of the children's picture book Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles, a kids' version of Christie's classic mystery. She lives in Layton, Utah.
Q: What inspired you to create a picture book version of Agatha Christie’s classic The Mysterious Affair at Styles?
A: I came to Agatha Christie in my 20s when my book club picked And Then There Were None. For some reason I'd had some weird ideas about Agatha Christie books and never been inclined to pick one up. I had no idea what I was missing! Now I am working my way through her bibliography and I am loving the experience.
I love the idea of introducing children to classics early on and making them into something digestible and approachable. Hopefully someday they'll say, "Hey! I know that book!" and pick up Agatha's version.
Q: The Booklist review of the book says, “Younger readers will adore the vivid illustrations and entertaining activities; older readers will be able to absorb the entertaining story while compiling clues….It may be a murder mystery, but it’s a supremely cozy and stylish one, and an ideal introduction to the amazing Poirot.” What do you think of that description?
A: I was so flattered by this description! "Supremely cozy and stylish" is how I would love to describe my life. I have been intimidated from the start about Christie superfans picking up my book and not liking what I had done with the Queen of Crime's work. So to be told that this was an "ideal introduction" was beyond what I hoped for!
Q: What do you think Greg Paprocki’s illustrations add to the book?
A: I am a huge Greg Paprocki fan and have been long before he ever illustrated my book. I love his details and colors so much.
I was so interested to see what he would do with a setting that felt outside of some of his usual work, and I think he nailed it. There is so much to look at on every page.
I love that this is a murder mystery but he created an environment that is bright and colorful and doesn't feel dark or heavy. He really knows how to create work for the right audience.
Q: What was your writing process like as you adapted the book for a young audience?
A: I went into writing this book with a lot of fear! Like I said, I didn't come to Christie until later in life so I felt like a bit of an imposter trying to adapt her work.
I read the book at least three times before I even started and did so much research making sure I caught the big points. I still have fears of people saying that I got everything wrong or misunderstood the point.
I don't know why, but I totally thought people would come and tell me I had got the murderer wrong! Thankfully, that hasn't happened.
But taking a very long book and making it into a very short one was more difficult than I initially imagined. It's especially tricky telling some of Christie's stories and removing the adult themes!
Q: What are you working on now?
A: Book two in the Mini Mysteries series, The Mystery of the Blue Train, comes out this September. I just saw the advanced copies and it is so beautiful! I can't wait to get that book out into the world.
And I'm actually working on book three now as well. It will be a Nancy Drew retelling of The Secret of the Old Clock with a new illustrator. Unlike with Christie, I did grow up reading Nancy Drew and I have had so much fun taking on that beloved character's story.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I absolutely love hearing from people who like my books and want to know more. You can reach me at marcikaymonson.com. I still can't believe I'm a published author with multiple books out in the world!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
No comments:
Post a Comment