Inspired by ‘Gilmore Girls,’ Canadian author sets new witch series in CT
When deciding where to set her latest “cozy” mystery series, Canadian author Auralee Wallace found herself lured to Connecticut based on its quaint reputation and its visible seasonal changes.
Wallace’s new book “In the Company of Witches” is the first in her “Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery” series, publishing Oct. 19. The series of “cozies” (a type of crime fiction) is set in the fictional Connecticut town of Evenfall. When asked why she chose to set her story in Connecticut, Wallace attributed it in part to her love of the shows “Gilmore Girls” (which is also set in a fictional Connecticut town: Stars Hollow) and “Bewitched,” set in Westport.
“I’m a little embarrassed to say the answer cause it’s not at all original, but honestly ‘Gilmore Girls’ in large part. I can’t imagine who wouldn’t want to live in Stars Hollow. I knew I wanted a New England setting because I have toured the area a few times and it’s so beautiful and what I like about that area is you still have four seasons,” Wallace said. “I really liked that New England feel and also I remembered from being a kid that ‘Bewitched’ was also in Connecticut. I loved ‘Bewitched’ when I was a kid, I really wanted to be Tabitha with her nose wrinkle and make spells.”
“In the Company of Witches” follows the story of Brynn who lives with her two aunts who run a bed and breakfast together in Evenfall. Brynn comes from a long line of witches, but after losing her husband, she finds it difficult to tap into her powers that allow her to communicate with ghosts. When a guest is murdered at the B&B and one of her aunts becomes the primary suspect, Brynn has to play detective to save her aunt and catch the killer.
Wallace’s book contains notes of sorrow and hope, which is only natural as the author began working on the book while her mother was undergoing cancer treatment. She said her mother had pushed her to start her next writing project.
“It was a really difficult time because I knew her cancer was quite serious, so even though I was trying to go forward with a cozy mystery, I was actually in the early stages of anticipatory grief so all of that kind of found its way into the book. I found I couldn’t pretend that my mind was anywhere else so I wrote this book about a young grieving witch,” she said.
Wallce’s mother died while she was writing the book and her grief spilled over into her story.
“Because it is a cozy mystery I didn’t want it to be overwhelmingly sad and I was trying to get myself to a place where life is inherently hopeful. I found, even after my mom passed away, I spent several days where I couldn’t do much of anything but watch Hallmark Christmas movies and there was something very comforting about seeing at least one side of life where things are good, warm, cozy and hopeful,” she said. “I wanted to create a space where there is room for that too.”
The second installment of Wallace’s new series is already underway, with “When the Crow’s Away” scheduled for an April 2022 release.
For more information about Wallace and her books, visit auraleewallace.com.