The Voice

            There is an Irish writer I adore. Her name is Marian Keyes and she doesn’t write mysteries (her book, The Mystery of Mercy Close, isn't a mystery—not really). True confession: with few exceptions I read only mysteries and biographies. And Marian Keyes. I read Marian Keyes.

            Some might say she writes women’s fiction.

            Others might call her books chicklit.

            I say she writes novels.

            Wonderful novels. About women with problems. About children and families and strengths and insecurities. Funny novels. Novels that make me cry. Novels that make me gnash my teeth.

            Her latest, The Break, has released in the U.K. but not yet in the United States. I have seriously considered paying the very dear price for shipping from London to Kansas City.

            Why?

            Marian Keyes has a distinctive voice.

            So distinctive I feel as if I know her.

            I know I’d like to discuss skin care with her.

            I know we could chat for an hour about the joy of boots.

            I know I adore her—even if she does drink tea (which she pronounces tay) not coffee.

            She’s a friend I miss and my best chance to catch up with her is to pick up her latest novel (still thinking about that shipping charge...).

            Marian (no, I don’t actually know her, but we’re on a first name basis—at least I am) inspired my writing.

            I think every writer has a Marian or two. Hopefully, one day I can be a Marian.

           If you haven’t yet discovered Marian's books, start here.

Julie Mulhern is the USA Today bestselling author of The Country Club Murders. 

She is a Kansas City native who grew up on a steady diet of Agatha Christie. She spends her spare time whipping up gourmet meals for her family, working out at the gym and finding new ways to keep her house spotlessly clean--and she's got an active imagination. Truth is--she's an expert at calling for take-out, she grumbles about walking the dog and the dust bunnies under the bed have grown into dust lions.

Her latest novel, Cold as Ice, will release October 17th.

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