Lily Connor, an ordained priest, discusses scripture with her lover as they lie in bed in the morning. Faith Fairchild can't seem to escape the dead bodies that follow her on sabbatical from New York City throughout dreary towns west of Boston. Don't worry - these aren't bizarre tales of Tufts professors or students. They are plots from the mystery novels of Tufts authors.
Over the last couple decades, mystery novels have become less plot-driven and more character-centered. Such was one of the many lessons learned Tuesday evening in Braker Hall as approximately 25 students and Tufts affiliates gathered to listen as mystery writers Michelle Blake and Katherine Hall Page discussed their newest novels. The two women took part in the second year of "Author Talks," presented by the Friends of Tufts Libraries.
Tufts alum Page and current professor Blake spoke Tuesday night to promote their most recent mystery novels, amid questions and an opulent snack table.
Page received her masters in secondary education from Tufts in 1974 and was first published in 1981. She said her enthusiasm to come back to Tufts was affected by the backing of the Tufts libraries. "Libraries are my favorite places to be," she explained. "I really like to do library series."
A self-described writer of "cozy mysteries," Page prefers the Agatha Christie-type village mystery, in which the focus is on "whodunit" and not on gore. She likes to make her protagonists parents, in a way carving out her niche. Relating her writing to the tragedies of Sept. 11, Page quoted PD James in explaining that mystery novels are always popular in times of chaos and tension. The rational, beneficent universe present in such novels creates sanity for the readers, Page explained.
Blake, meanwhile, teaches in the English department. A poet and writer, Blake arrived at Braker on Tuesday to promote her Earth Has No Sorrow, her second book in the Lily Connor series. A self-described "soft-boiled" writer (she finds a happy medium between "cozy" writing and the gore that defines "hardboiled" works), Blake loves the idea of mystery novels that "order will out." Page shares the sentiment, especially in the wake of Sept. 11 and the sense of chaos and uncertainty that ensued.
Questions from the crowd, which was composed mostly of older adults with only a handful of students, included a request for the authors to describe how they avoid being formulaic, as well as an explanation of the strong presence of religion in their writings. Although dissimilar on the surface, Page believes the two share common traits. "Underneath there are many parallels," she said.
Although there were favorites for some audience members, many came to see both women. The few students present said they went at the suggestion of professors. "I heard about the talk from my creative writing teacher and I've read some books of Katherine Hall Page, so I thought it would be interesting," sophomore Kate Williams said.
In response to a request to define themselves as writers, neither woman was slow to designate herself a "mystery writer." While acknowledging that many authors of mysteries prefer to be called fiction writers or mystery novelists, Hall said simply, "story-telling is story-telling."
Blake agreed, but admitted she was thrilled to think people were reading her work. "I love the idea of someone reading my book on the beach," Blake said. "I don't care where they read them. Just read them."
As a mother and poet, Blake eased into novel writing fairly easily, motivated by her childhood love for mysteries. Page has been writing since the early 80s, getting her start in France. Since then, she has had a successful run with her mystery series starring Faith Fairchild. Both women shared a common fondness for the theological work of Dorothy Sayers, although Sayers is usually remembered for her mystery novels.
Tufts graduate and active alumna Sondra reads both authors. "I've heard Katherine speak before and I've always enjoyed listening to her," Szymczak said. "This was my first time listening to Michelle and I think she is marvelous. I would love to have the opportunity to take a course with her."
Sophomore Christine Hendrickson was motivated to come Tuesday partially by the fact that Blake is her teacher. "As my creative writing professor, Michelle is very human, so hearing about her transitions from poetry to short stories to novels makes writing as a profession a reality," Hendrickson said.
