The beauty of covers- Sara Sheridan's Mirabelle Bevan series

Regular readers of Books with Bunny will be aware that I have a bit of a love affair going on with Mirabelle Bevan.  Sara Sheridan's super sleuth is sharp, enigmatic and completely beguiling- I just love her.  The mysteries themselves are top drawer too, well written, historically accurate and not too grisly.  They are like the classical stories of the genre, driven by character and plot rather than the shock tactics and 'how vile and disturbed can I make this story?' style of some other modern day detective books.

 

 

However, I must admit that the first thing that drew me to Brighton Belle was its delicious cover.  Mirabelle dominates the cover, her ruby red lips striking and alluring, her hair perfectly coiffured. The fur collar and pearl necklace set her out as being somewhat well-to-do, yet her smoky eyes seem to be taking in everything, dangerous and powerful. 

It has the reference to the setting by showing Brighton's iconic pier, and the birds in flight represent freedom and escape.  The red trim is eye-catching and daring, and the overall vintage feel appealed to me (I'm a bit of a 1950s geek, truth be told). 

Everything about this cover shouted out 'Buy me!  Buy me!', and buy it I did.  Maybe I'm the target audience for the Mirabelle books in every sense, but this cover gave me an accurate taste of what to expect from the books (indeed, the series too). 



 

London Calling, the second book in the Mirabelle series, went with a cover that complimented Brighton Belle.  This time Mirabelle is shown in the shadows of the Houses of Parliament with the added detail of a London bus heading through the mist over the Thames.  The jazz saxophonist gives potential readers a flavour of the underground London music scene which dominates this mystery, and the cover very evidently suggests this is a book set in a bygone era. 

 

Mirabelle is still wearing her trademark fire-engine red lipstick, this time accompanied by a red beret and jacket.  Mirabelle is colourful and vibrant in comparison to the rest of the cover which is dark and murky-she is clear whilst everything else seems to be hidden in a smoky haze. 

 

The peacock blue trim is very vintage in feel and is beautifully in keeping with the essence of the Mirabelle mysteries.

 

 

England Expects is the forthcoming Mirabelle mystery and I am so excited to be able to have a review copy of this book!  The fan girl in me knows no bounds and the cover is just as astoundingly beautiful as that of the two previous Mirabelle books.  

 

Mirabelle hasn't changed much in appearance, her lipstick and smoky eyes still prominent features on her porcelain face.  Her dark hair is still immaculately groomed and brought out by her bottle green clothing.  The ornate turrets of Brighton Pavilion provide a stunning backdrop and the golden yellow trim is striking whilst still holding with the distinctive style of the Mirabelle covers.

 

England Expects promises to be another enthralling read.  It is released in hardback and ebook on Thursday 3rd April and is available for preorder at Amazon.co.uk

 

I was also fortunate enough to speak to Sara Sheridan about how much input she has into the beautiful cover art.  Here's what she had to say-

 

'In all my contracts I’ve always had the right to see the cover, but never I’ve had cover approval. With the Mirabelle books, I’ve had more input to them than ever before, though. My editor, Alison, is as obsessed with 1950s fashion as I am and we have long conversations about what Mirabelle will get to wear on each book (HAT OR NO HAT?). We debate her make up too (what we have ended up with is slightly too pearlised to be absolutely authentic for the 1950s - especially the early 1950s - but we ended up going with it because it looks better.) I love those conversations… I think Alison does too. And I also love the covers – I’ve seen people pick up the books on bookshop shelves because they’re drawn to them… it’s a special kind of story magic. In British Bulldog (next year’s book) Mirabelle goes to Paris and we’re already thinking Eiffel Tower or Arc de Triomphe. It will be a glorious debate!'

 

Something for me to look forward to in 2015!  If you are interested in finding out more about Sara Sheridan, you can read other Books with Bunny blog articles about her here or follow her on twitter, @sarasheridan.

 

The Morelli Diamonds- Sara Sheridan

 

I am an absolute fangirl when it comes to Mirabelle Bevan.  I can't help it.  She's just amazing.  Sharp, witty, beautiful, strong and with a deep down vulnerability which belies her outer exterior. 

 

The Morelli Diamonds is a short story, probably equating to the equivalent of one short chapter of a full length novel.  It took maybe 10 minutes to read, so would be suitable for reading on a coffee break or when commuting.

 

Mirabelle is caught in a scandal at the Imperial hotel when the body of a young girl is found at the same time that wealthy guest Morelli says diamonds have gone missing.  I found this an interesting short story with a lot packed in, but as with The Night Train I wished that it was longer so I could really get my teeth into it.  I liked the plot but did feel it would have been strengthened by more hints about Mirabelle's character for fans of the fictional sleuth.

 

However, for a quick Mirabelle fix it works well, and now that we're into 2014 it isn't long until the next full length novel!  I can't wait!

 

The Morelli Diamonds is out now in ebook format.

 

7/10

How long does it take to write a book?

As someone who is currently attempting to write their first novel, I can't stop thinking about how long this process might take.  The blank page is scary!  I asked some inspirational authors how long it took them to write their first book.  The variations between answers may surprise you...

Cally Taylor- It took me just under 4 months to write the first draft then another 6 months or so to edit it.

Lorraine Wilson- about 3 months for the first chalet girl novella, a lot longer for a full length because I had a brain injury mid book!

Lucy Dillon- Er, about five months? It is the re-writing, re-writing and editing that take the extra time!

Rowan Coleman- About nine months, delivered just before my first child!

Sara Sheridan- 14 weeks.

Kat French- Undertaking Love took about eight months I think.

Miranda Dickinson- I was writing it for fun over seven years and then when it was signed by Avon I spent another eight months editing it.

Rebecca Raisin- 2 months to write and about six months to rewrite!

Louise Douglas- The first took about six months working in the evenings.  It was the quickest!

Mandy Baggot- About a year.

Let's just say that these responses have really encouraged me and I am realising that it really is a 'how long is a piece of string?' type question!

The Night Train- Sara Sheridan (Mirabelle Bevan short story)

I downloaded The Night Train as I have absolutely adored the two full length Mirabelle Bevan books.  I was thrilled to bits to realise I'd be able to get another dose of my favourite sleuth before the release of the next book early next year. 

 

 

I'm not always a fan of short stories and this really is very succinct- around the same length as a short chapter.  Whilst I had hoped it would be a bit longer because I am such a fan of the books, the writing was the usual fluid, perceptive style that I have come to expect from Sara Sheridan, and was a thought-provoking insight into the possibilities of a journey, especially a night train (going on a night train is on my Bucket List and I am even more keen to complete it now- I love the idea of the sun setting as you leave one place and rising as you arrive in another).

 

For fans of Mirabelle who are looking to get a peek at her softer side, The Night Train offers this opportunity. Brief, but wonderfully worded, I would love Sara Sheridan to compile a collection of Mirabelle short stories with snippets of her encounters, as this is one woman who leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets.  A charming glimpse into a fleeting moment.

 

7/10

London Calling-Sara Sheridan

Before I start, I should probably warn you.  I am going to eulogise about this book.  Unashamedly, unreservedly, full-on rave about it.


Firstly, it is part of the Mirabelle Bevan series.  If you are not yet familiar with Mirabelle, this is important because she is elusive, attractive, witty and sharp.  She is the kind of woman that men are intimidated by and she utilises her wily charms to wheedle out the facts she needs from men she encounters.  I want to be like her.  Infact, scrap that-I want to BE her.

Set in London in 1952, London Calling is the second book in the Mirabelle series.  When a beautiful debutante mysteriously vanishes from a jazz club, saxophonist Lindon Claremont is the number one suspect.  A childhood friend of Vesta, Mirabelle's sidekick, the women are determined to find out the truth and clear Lindon's name.  We are sucked into the underground music scene and exposed to alluring secret drinking dens and caddish jazz musicians.  As a fan of this era, Sara Sheridan does a fantastic job of representing post war London as a buzzing city high on promise and hope. 

Delightful old-fashioned mystery stories in the same vein as Agatha Christie's classic 'Miss Marple' books, the Mirabelle books are intriguing and beguiling whilst never drifting into uncomfortable violence or unnecessarily graphic scenes. London Calling does not disappoint, and I found myself wishing that it was longer-always a promising sign!  Infact, I was devastated when I finished the book and immediately tweeted the author asking when the next book will be out (unfortunately, not until 2014).

Well written and thought provoking, heart wrenching and thoroughly entertaining, Sheridan's evocative writing style will appeal to both those interested in the 1950s and the 'cosy crime' genre.  Vivid, likeable characters add to the appeal, complimented by a highly readable plot.  Pure escapist reading which makes me nostalgic for a time I never knew.

Bravo Sara Sheridan, bravo Mirabelle Bevan.  More!

9/10
With thanks to Polygon for providing me with a review copy of London Calling.  You can find out more about Sara Sheridan by tweeting her, @sarasheridan.

Brighton Belle, the first Mirabelle Bevan book is free via iTunes at the time of writing.  Try it!