An Interview With ‘Murder At The Movies’ Author And TCM Host Alicia Malone

Audrey knew running a movie theater wouldn’t be easy, but a patron getting murdered on opening night is a level of bad luck not even she could’ve predicted in Alicia Malone‘s new murder mystery, Murder at the Movies. That’s right — your favorite TCM host is taking a stab at writing fiction and here’s what she had to say about the new venture:

Rachel Bellwoar: While no stranger to writing books, Murder at the Movies is your first foray into fiction. Have you always wanted to write a murder mystery or did the idea come about more recently?

Alicia Malone: I’ve always wanted to try my hand at fiction; I’ve taken many writing courses and read many writing books, but have been hesitant to dive in. After writing my previous (non-fiction) book, I finally decided that I needed to just sit down and go for it. Incredibly, that all coincided with my editor, Cindy Sipala at Running Press, looking for cozy mysteries, and TCM wanting to branch out to release fiction. All the stars lined up, and once I got started I had a lot of fun putting it together.

Bellwoar: What made you opt for cozy mystery over urban noir?  

Malone: I’m a huge fan of reading cozy mysteries, I devour them and appreciate that they’re more about the setting and the quirky characters than solving a grim crime. After I moved to Maine, and joined the board of a local historic movie theater (The Strand) I realized both of those settings would be perfect for a cozy mystery series, and an idea was born.

Bellwoar: Like Murder She Wrote, Murder at the Movies is set in Maine but, unlike Cabot Cove (which has been called out for its high crime rate), Liam Ross’ murder is a first for Pine Island. Was that an important distinction you wanted to make — that this isn’t a town used to finding dead bodies? 

Malone: Yes. I wanted the first murder to coincide with Audrey Sullivan moving to Pine Island. Nothing like this has happened on this small island where nobody even locks their front doors. The local law enforcement hasn’t dealt with anything like this before, making Audrey’s involvement (slightly) more plausible, and Audrey herself more suspicious. Of course, I hope this will be a continuing series, so Pine Island may become like Cabot Cove, with dead bodies showing up everywhere

Bellwoar: From the moment Arthur Kennedy got a mention on page one I knew this would be a book with multiple nods to cinema. Did you enjoy getting to include those references (especially the different character and business names)?

Malone: Absolutely. I wanted to infuse the book with many film references, big and small, to make it fun for TCM viewers and classic movie lovers to discover. I did this in the way Audrey describes characters, the names of stores on the island, the movies she programs at her theater and even the name of her cat. There are some hidden Easter eggs in there that I’m curious to see if anyone picks up on. I’ve also included references to movies that inspired me while writing, especially classic detective films. Non-film buffs will still enjoy the book, and as a bonus, you’ll end up with a whole list of films to watch.

Bellwoar: How have you found the process of plotting out a mystery and deciding when to drop new clues?

Malone: Designing a mystery is a huge challenge, because all the pieces of a puzzle need to fit together in a way that keeps the reader guessing, while also making sure you are “playing fair” — giving enough clues that a reader could potentially solve it themselves. I kept deciding to change one part of the mystery, then realizing I needed to go back and fix the entire book. You pull at one thread and others come loose. I learnt a lot in the process, and it really was a fun challenge.

Bellwoar: As a film fan, was it difficult imagining a movie theater as a crime scene?

Malone: Not at all, there are many places to hide in a movie theater, and the sounds from the equipment and the movie does drown out a lot of other noise … I don’t know what this says about me, but [I] have plenty of ideas for crimes that could happen in a movie theater.

Bellwoar: Throughout the book when Audrey meets someone she often names an actor they look like or remind her of. Have you done any dream casting for who would play Audrey in a Murder at the Movies movie?

Malone: While I was writing, I was imagining Greta Gerwig as Audrey. I love how Greta can play characters who are tough on the outside, but a little bit vulnerable on the inside. But as far as classic film actors, I could see Lizabeth Scott as Audrey, with the tomboy edge that she had.

Bellwoar: This book comes out in October and the story is set around Halloween. Are you a spooky season fan?

Malone: Even though I’m not a fan of gory horror films, I am a fan of spooky season. Growing up in Australia, we didn’t celebrate Halloween, but I’d always see it in movies. When I moved to Maine, it was October, and I felt as if I had stepped inside a Halloween film. Now, I love to decorate my house inside and out and watch movies like Practical Magic and Carnival of Souls. I’m also really into fall in general, so, like my protagonist, I get into the spirit with autumnal drinks, baked goods, and cozy sweaters!

Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Alicia!

Murder at the Movies: A Movie Palace Mystery goes on sale October 6th from TCM and Running Press.