The TROY Book Club: The Potting Shed Murder, Paula Sutton

The TROY Book Club: The Potting Shed Murder by Paula Sutton

We are beyond delighted to welcome you to The TROY Book club. As literary fiends we are excited to dive into the world behind the scenes of the books, speaking with authors, upcoming and seasoned, gleaning insights into the inspiration behind the characters, the writing process and much more.

Withouth further ado we introduce the second installment of the TROY Book Club, featuring an exclusive interview with the fabulous Paula Sutton, author of this months featured book. Our co-founder, Rosie, sat down with Paula on the picturesque terrace of Stody Lodge, to delve into the mysteries of Paula’s latest literary creation, The Potting Shed Murders.

Cosy crime' writing is the latest addition to your impressively multifaceted career as fashion magazine editor, antiques trader, interior stylist, social media icon and now novelist. Daphne, the main character of your debut novel The Potting Shed Murder, leaves a high-flying career in London to move to Norfolk and embrace life in a sleepy village. How autobiographical is this story line and did you enjoy toying with both fact and fiction in your writing?

I remember that as a young girl at my South London convent school, English literature was my favourite subject. My teacher told me that the best creative writing came from the heart - so write about what you know. I’ve never forgotten that advice. I think that my own story of struggling to maintain a work/life balance and leaving London and a career that I loved to try and reset that balance is very relatable. It’s exactly what Daphne Brewster the protagonist of The Potting Shed Murder, has done. For that reason she is definitely a version of me, however, in my early days in Norfolk I was far more shy and retiring than Daphne and she’s definitely far more nosey than I am . In that respect we’re similar but definitely not the same! It was fun to explore a feistier version of me though!

The novel is a page-turning delight, a glorious holiday read, yet you also explore serious themes such as otherness. The main character, Daphne, arriving in Norfolk as a black woman, communities of women living in woodland likened to covens of witches, a multitude of social outcasts within the polite environs of village communities. Did you enjoy weaving these more serious notes through the plot?

Absolutely - it was such a treat to explore the theme of ‘not belonging’ and why some people are welcomed into a community whilst others - not so much. It’s often not as straight forward as one would think. The things that make us different aren’t always the things that cause the most conflict. From what I’ve seen in real life, it’s often similar characteristics that repel each other - like two equal magnetic poles. Many of my characters are fighting for dominance amongst similar people - whether they want to admit that or not.

There are a plethora of strong women in the cast of characters you portray, all navigating village politics, the school gates, illicit love affairs and the horrors of a murder! Where do you look for your characterisations, is it real life or the pages of Austen?

Oh definitely a combination of real life and fiction. I love Austen for her brilliant take on the comedy of manners that still exists in all forms of British society today. I knew that I wanted to feature a modern take on that sort of humorous characterisation. However, truth is usually stranger than fiction and there will always be a bountiful amount of real life inspiration to be had without needing to delve too far into fiction.

Tell us how you set about writing this book, carving out the time and space to do what so many of us only wistfully aspire to achieve.

In terms of carving out space and time, Writing the book was a huge challenge. I had no difficulty in coming up with the story or visualising the characters. I knew exactly what I wanted to write and how I wanted the tone of my writing to feel. My greatest obstacle was - and still is - time management.

It helped that I’d built a garden office (yes I did help to build it and spent many perilous hours holding up roof trusses whilst questioning my life choices!) which gave me a quiet place of solitude within my own home which was incredibly important to stop my mind wandering. It overlooks my kitchen garden and is a great place to ponder and think. What I came to realise about myself is that I cannot force creativity at any given time and I just have to accept that some days aren’t writing data no matter how hard you want them to be . Some days I would sit at my desk and have a total block and other days the words would just flow. I’m still not sure why.

Set in the sleepy village of Pudding Corner, a fictionalised nook of rural Norfolk, we were kept guessing to the end as to the murderer's identity, as you artfully penned suspense and twists in the tale... How hard was it to ensure the reader couldn't guess too soon and how did you test this?

It’s so interesting because I was on an author panel recently and there was a successful crime writer who stated that he didn’t know who the murderer would be in his own novels until the end of the writing process. I am the total opposite. I write my chapter outlines, character outlines and plot framework first, then I fill in the plot around that. I therefore know exactly who the culprit is from the beginning although there are many scenes and a few backstory twists that come out organically as I write them.

Knowing who the culprit is means you have to conceal a lot of things whilst still ensuring that it all makes logical sense. It’s a fun process making several people look like potential suspects and it’s interesting to explore interpersonal relationships. I love Agatha Christie’s ability to have a room filled with people who all have a potential motive to be the killer.

The whimsical and joyful, cottagecore feel of your Instagram is a tonic to the negative headlines of the daily news. We felt the same from your novel.How should a good book make you feel, do you think?

For me I believe that a good book should leave you feeling satisfied that you can understand the motivation of a situation. I feel very frustrated with open ended story lines or plot lines that aren’t resolved. I’m a bit of an optimistic romantic, so even when there are dark topics, if I can understand the whys and hows, it allows me to feel content with even the less joyful of endings.

I do like to feel that there is room for hope and positivity with any storyline though. My Instagram account is all about finding joy and beauty in the everyday and that side of my character will always win out.

What is next on your reading list?

I have just purchased ‘Yellowface’ by Rebecca F Kuang

and have heard so many good things about it so looking forward to getting stuck in.

Some quick fire questions if we may:

Favourite style icon: Audrey Hepburn

Ultimate indulgence: Fresh flowers in every room!

Best stress reliever: A full body massage.

Favourite Norfolk spot: My home - failing that Holkham beach!

The best accompaniment to a cup of tea: A slice of Victoria sponge cake!

The key to happiness is... Taking time to seek out the beauty around us.

Paula Sutton is a stylist, writer, and creator of the popular blog Hill House Vintage. A decade ago, Paula traded her glamorous London life, where she thrived in the fashion publishing industry, for the serene countryside of Norfolk, England. She now resides in Hill House, a charming manor, with her family and their beloved chocolate cross Labrador, Coco.

Paula's blog, Hill House Vintage, has garnered a dedicated following for its captivating blend of classic English country style, vintage decor, and elegant lifestyle inspiration. Her unique perspective and impeccable taste have led to features in prestigious publications such as the New York Times and the Telegraph, and appearances on popular shows like Today.