On this episode of Writers at Work, I speak with Virginia Feito, author of VICTORIAN PSYCHO, a title that is ideal yet only hints at what lies between the book covers. VICTORIAN PSYCHO is Virginia's second novel. Her 2021 debut, MRS. MARCH, straddled the line between psychological thriller and social satire, said Vogue magazine, adding that it's as literary as it is pulpy.

It was snapped up by Hollywood and is under development, with Elisabeth Moss attached as star and producer. I'll have to ask Virginia about its progress to screen. I'll also have to ask her about how she wrote a novel so keenly praised for its precision in depicting the foibles of New York's upwardly mobile despite her having never lived in New York. She was raised in Madrid and Paris and studied in London. She writes in English.

I admit to a particular fascination with her latest, VICTORIAN PSYCHO. On the surface, it's a gruesome tale of a psychopathic governess, Winifred Notty, immune to fear, dismissive of pain, who carries within her a darkness. Capital D, Darkness. Much explicit violence ensues. If this is not your cup of tea, let me say that VICTORIAN PSYCHO contains some of the most perfectly constructed sentences I've ever read, each word carefully chosen to elicit a squeamish reaction. Yet they flow together with ease, the writing as much as the psychological terror oozed its way under my skin.

I can't remember the last time I came across a novel that compelled me to tap my wife on the shoulder and read a few sentences aloud and then do the same thing a few minutes later. And then again.

VICTORIAN PSYCHO has been optioned as well, and I'm told Margaret Qualley will play Miss Notty.

My guest today on Writers at Work is Christine Murphy, author of NOTES ON SURVIVING THE FIRE, a novel that's available now. Christine's debut novel, NOTES ON SURVIVING THE FIRE is well published by Knopf and enjoying enviable reviews. The Los Angeles Times wrote Murphy has certainly written a furious, fast paced, emotionally residential, memorable novel, and the New Yorker said the narrative is equally layered with a thriller's bone, a satire's glare and a comeuppance story's anarchic spirit. My review? How dare a first novel be so engaging, challenging and absorbing.

What do we know about Christine Murphy? She has a PhD in religious studies, spent a year as a resident in a Buddhist nunnery and lived, worked and traveled in more than 100 countries. That's not much to go on and I'm quite eager to learn more about her and how NOTES ON SURVIVING THE FIRE came to be.

Joining me on this episode of Writers at Work is playwright Larissa Fasthorse, whose timely comedy FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT is currently at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. Larissa, who is a recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, was the first Native American woman to have a play produced on Broadway.

That satirical comedy, THE THANKSGIVING PLAY, has been produced more than 300 times. Her revision of PETER PAN is currently on tour throughout the U.S. a member of the Sicangu Nation from South Dakota, she began her public career as a dancer and choreographer. After an injury, she began writing with an interest in Native American drama, both film and theater.

She co-founded Indigenous Direction, a consulting firm that helps people and organizations who want to create accurate work by, for, and with Indigenous peoples. She is currently the vice chairman of the Board of Trustees of Playwrights Horizon, a not-for-profit off-Broadway theater in New York City.

There's much to discuss with Larissa, including the plays she's developing for the Public, Second Stage and Yale Rep, among other theaters, and FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT, a slapstick comedy with a pointed social and political theme.

My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is Sara Gran, author and screenwriter. Sara is the author of the series featuring Claire DeWitt, self-anointed as the world's greatest private investigator. But Sara isn't confined by theme or tradition. Her feel for urban grit is on abundant display in her novel DOPE, as is her ability to convey psychological terror and come closer and the insidious nature of the occult in THE BOOK OF MOST PRECIOUS SUBSTANCE, which she self-published in 2022.

Her latest is LITTLE MYSTERIES, a short story collection cheerfully subtitled Nine Miniature Puzzles to Confuse Enthrall and Delight. Sara also wrote for the terrific TV series Southland. If quality alone were the determining factor, it would still be on air. She also wrote the Audible original audio drama MARIGOLD.

There's much to talk about with Sarah, who I've admired from afar, but I wanted to at least begin with an article that ran recently in the New York Times in which Sarah recommended eight great noir thrillers. You can find the article via the Times website. It's a wonderful list with a few surprises, the kind that sent me running to the nearest bookstore. So now I'm not only grateful for her books, but also for her recommendations.

Joining me on this episode of Writers at Work is Catriona McPherson, the author of three crime series, two of historical fiction, and standalone novels of psychological suspense. In 2024, she published thrice: THE WITCHING HOUR, the sixteenth book in her Dandy Gilver murder mystery series set in the 1920s and 30s, DEEP BENEATH US, a novel of suspense set in the Scottish Highlands, and SCOTZILLA, her seventh cozy featuring Lexy Campbell, whose wedding does not go according to plan. I’ll add here that Catriona contributed a very clever story with a twist to BRUTAL AND STRANGE, the anthology based on the songs of Elvis Costello that I edited in late 2023.

For her efforts Catriona is the winner of the Agatha, Anthony, Lefty and Macavity Awards, high honors in the mystery and crime field. Born in South Queensferry, Scotland, Catriona earned her MA and PhD at the University of Edinburgh. She committed to writing full-time in 2000. Five years later, she relocated to Northern California. As I was reminded at the recent Left Coast Crime conference in Denver, I find Catriona to be a wonderful writer and a delightful presence. Though we worked together on the Costello anthology and run into each other at various industry events, I’ve never had a chance to talk with her about the writing life.

One guiding principle at “Writers at Work” is that good writing is worth savoring wherever one may find it. My guests have included novelists, journalists, playwrights and screenwriters. And I’ve extending invitations to poets and lyricists. All to discuss the joys, heartaches, challenges and satisfaction of the creative writing process. This episode is dedicated to what I consider a model of effective autobiographical storytelling, “Vulnicura,” an album by Björk. 

Joining me on this episode of Writers at Work is Dennis Mahoney, an author and artist with a particular interest in and flair for horror and the occult. His latest novel, OUR WINTER MONSTER, is available now. Dennis’ reputation has been growing since his debut novel, FELLOW MORTALS, was published in 2013.

His third novel, 2020's GHOST LOVE, received rave reviews. Publishers Weekly called it a grave yet hilarious meditation on insanity, depression, companionship, and leaving everything behind. Which tells us how Dennis finds horror within his characters. Without giving too much away, I'll say that his new one put a knot in the pit of my stomach within the first few pages, not because of the monster, but because of the crisis faced by the main characters. Let me tell you a bit about OUR WINTER MONSTER to expedite my conversation with Dennis.

Holly and Brian are unhappy in their relationship. They've decided to take a brief vacation to a ski village to rekindle, if possible, their passion. What appears to be a blizzard threatens their trip even before they reach their destination. And here comes a monster on a Godzilla-like rampage through the village. Sheriff Kendra Book has to save Holly, Brian, and the village, which is encumbered by problems of its own. It's all there, right in the wrong hands.

The setup might have been cliched, but Dennis is a storyteller of the first degree, regardless of genre. Even if you're not a horror fan, and I confess, I'm not, OUR WINTER MONSTER will reward you for exploring his tale. Dennis is also the founder of the Equinox Society, a multimedia project I'm eager to learn more about.

Joining me on this episode of Writers at Work is writer, producer and showrunner John Wirth. John's current project is DARK WINDS, the series on AMC that draws its inspiration from the novels of Tony Hillerman. Its third season kicks off on March 9 and has already been renewed for a fourth season.

John's been involved in well written and well-crafted TV for quite a while. He broke into the business in the 1980s as a writer for the detective series REMINGTON STEELE, then wrote for and was an executive producer for NASH BRIDGES. Other writing and producing credits include contributions to THE GHOST WHISPERER, PICKET FENCES, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, and V.

John was on the staff of HELL ON WHEELS, the AMC series pegged to the building of the transcontinental railroad in the 1860s and was named its showrunner for the final three seasons. As for DARK WINDS, John became showrunner in its second season. He continues to write for the series, co contributing two scripts in season two and two more this season.

I've watched the new season and found it fascinating. I'm eager to talk to John about his career in general, but also about DARK WINDS.

My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is Lisa Unger, the bestselling author whose latest novel is CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10. The tale involves a high concept. Her protagonist, the physically fit Adele Crane, participates in a reality competition program called Extreme Hide and Seek that's held on a remote island. The show's founder and star, the deliciously named Maverick Dylan, is aging and increasingly unhinged. The last time around, one contestant was lost and never found. So what will happen now? I won't tell.

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10 is Lisa's 23rd book. She's moved back and forth between series and standalones. Her most recent series was HOUSE OF CROWS, a four-part serial released in 2021. Prior to the new one, her most recent novel was THE NEW COUPLE IN 5B, now available in paperback, in which an apartment in a sinister New York building is the setting for a psychological thriller that recalls Rosemary's Baby and The Shining, set 1700 miles to the east.

My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is author Thomas Perry, whose latest thriller is PRO BONO. Thomas had a long, exemplary career as a mystery and thriller writer. His debut, THE BUTCHER'S BOY, in 1983 won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel from the Mystery Writers of America.

It was the first in a series in which three subsequent novels appeared three separate decades apart. His VANISHING ACT, featuring his recurring character Jane Whitefield, was named by Parade magazine as one of the 101 Best Mysteries of All Time. Tom was a PhD in literature, wrote and or produced for such TV shows as Star Trek, The Next Generation and Simon and Simon.

He's enjoying well deserved attention these days, thanks to the FX series The Old Man, based on his 2017 novel of the same name. We of a certain vintage applaud Tom for creating a hearty protagonist who is AARP eligible but hardly in need of assistance.

Since then, he's published eight more novels, including additions to the Butcher's Boy and Jane Whitefield series. Last year's HERO introduced readers to Justin Poole, a private security agent for Hollywood celebrities and the 1%. Booklist, Kirkus and Deadly Pleasures magazine called HERO the best thriller of the year. How lucky we would all be if we maintain such high standards across more than four decades and through 31 novels.