Danielle Postel-Vinay is the author of the new novel Murder Most Delicious. She has written previous books under the name Danielle Trussoni, including The Puzzle Box.
Q: What inspired you to write Murder Most Delicious, and how did you create your character Olivia?
A: There are many things that might inspire someone to write a book, and it's often to pinpoint just one influence. But I'll say that I did have an experience that is directly responsible for the character of Olivia Beech, who is the main protagonist. She is a master sommelier, one of the top experts in wine in the world, who loses her sense of taste after contracting Covid.
Her character was inspired by my own interest in wine. For years, I studied wine and even worked with a master sommelier for a while. Then, during Covid, I lost the ability to drink alcohol. I began to feel sick when I drank, and even the smallest glass of wine left me ill. Feeling shut out of something I had studied and enjoyed was extremely difficult! So in some ways, I'm a little bit like Olivia, who lost her sense of taste.
Q: The novel is set in Paris--how important is setting to you in your writing?
A: It’s extremely important! Setting is one of the first things that comes to me when I’m imagining a new novel. I begin the process of figuring out a story by imagining where each scene will take place. Often, I go to the place so that I can experience it in real life.
Paris, which is the setting of Murder Most Delicious, is a place I’ve been to dozens of times, and the neighborhood where the murder occurs, Gros Caillou, is a real neighborhood. I love atmospheric novels!
Q: Why did you decide to write the novel under the name Danielle Postel-Vinay?
A: Danielle Postel-Vinay is my married name, and because this novel is set in France, I thought it made sense to use it. This novel is also quite different from my previous books, and so I wanted to make a distinction.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the story?
A: While the fun of the book is in the mystery—and learning who poisoned Jacques de Bizet—I wanted to create a pleasurable experience for readers.
One of the central themes of the book is that we should slow down and experience the simple pleasure of life: good food, leisurely walks, moments with friends. I hope that people read this novel and decide to take a few days off from work and just relax.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m working on another mystery, although I don’t have it full mapped out yet, so I’m not saying much about it.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I’d love for readers to get in touch with me. It’s always great fun to hear from people, so please come find me on Instagram or my website www.danielletrussoni.com.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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