Article and Interview by Elise Cooper
Miss Morton and the Missing Heir by Catherine Lloyd is a great read. The author makes the 1840s Regency/ Victorian era come alive within the compelling mystery and characters.
Caroline was the daughter of an earl, but her father gambled away everything, leaving her and her sister at the mercy of relatives. A mother and her son Thomas, the Scuttons, show up and says to Caroline that the son is now claiming that he is the heir to the Morton line and should become the next earl. Caroline doesn’t care about royal titles and is content to let him have it along with the ancestral home.
When old enough, Caroline struck out on her own taking employment as a companion to Mrs. Frogerton, a wealthy businesswoman. Now Mrs. Frogerton invites the Scuttons to stay with them while the ancestral house is being repaired and made livable. But trouble follows with the mysterious death of a Scutton family servant, and the murder of Mary, Mr. Scutton’s sister. Suspects and persons of interest are numerous, as Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton embark on their own quest for the truth.
To make matters worse, Mr. Scutton believes he can take control of Caroline’s life and has become possessive, telling her how she should behave, that she should no longer work, and who she should surround herself with friends. This adds to the storyline making it very interesting for readers as to what is appropriate for women. This creates tension with Caroline who asserts her independence and strength.
The story was riveting with a mystery that had red herrings, multiple suspects, and a shocking conclusion.
Elise Cooper: How did you get the idea for the story?
Catherine Lloyd: I was watching a British detective show which is where I thought of the story.
EC: How would you describe Thomas, the person who was trying to take over the Earlship?
CL: Unpleasant, insulting, does not have a high regard for an independent woman, has a temper, controlling, and a snob.
EC: How would you describe Mrs. Scutton, Thomas’ mom?
CL: She is from humble beginnings, does not care about others, stubborn, negative, avoids answering questions, and has her own secrets. She is a very cold and calculating person.
EC: Do you include women’s issues in this story?
CL: Yes. I put in this book quote from Thomas, “Women require protectiveness and guidance of men, who happen to be the stronger sex,” which is how men thought at that time. Women were not regarded by men then. Mrs. Frogerton, Caroline’s employer and mentor, is the perfect example of someone in control of her life, a successful businesswoman. Caroline throughout the books has learned to stand up for herself through Mrs. Forgerton and has accepted that version of what a woman should be. She no longer thinks she must be protected or subservient, especially since she had to survive by herself.
EC: Why does Thomas think he can control Caroline?
CL: He has this thought in the book, “Women are deemed to be too weak and too female.” During that time, it was accepted that a single female, like Caroline, must be under the direction of a strong man. Women had no rights, and he assumed she will just do as she is told. Technically, if he became the Earl, he could legally compel her to come back to his household.
EC: You have a quote relevant to today about the police. Please explain.
CL: You are referring to this one, “No one likes the police until the day they suddenly need them.” This is so true. Anyone who gets into trouble calls the police. Back in the beginning when the Metropolitan Police was established, they were absolutely hated by everyone. They were perceived as despicable lower class. Inspector Ross came from high society, so it was unheard of that he chose to become a police officer.
EC: Is it true that there might only be two more “Miss Morton” books. If so, I hope readers let Kensington know they want more of these books after that.
CL: Next book will be titled Miss Morton Takes the Waters. It will probably come out the fall of next year. In that book Caroline and Mrs. Frogeron go to a spa town. It is set in Bath, England, where a bunch of old ladies share rental apartments. There are scandals and one of the gossipy old ladies get killed. The possible last book which is the book after this one has a conclusion of what Caroline will do with her life.
I also will have a historical fiction book coming out as Catherine Lloyd. It is about Mary Quant, a famous fashion designer who came up with the mini skirt. It is titled Chelsea Girls and will probably come out in July of next year.
There is a book out under Kate Pearce titled Only Rakes Need Apply, an historical romance. It is about a widowed lady, Lady Carenza Smythe-Harding, who has intimate desires and her friend puts an ad in a newspaper that leaves nothing to the imagination. Julian Laurent is appalled to discover his longtime friend, Carenza, is behind the public proposition. Julian decides to prevent a scandal by pleasuring the lady to her heart’s content. Of course, everything goes terribly wrong.
EC: THANK YOU!!
