Author loves visiting the setting for some of her books — Norfolk
Elly Griffiths’ latest novel, “Bleeding Heart Yard” (Mariner Books, $27.99), is a page-turning whodunit that revolves around a group of friends who committed murder two decades ago. Fastforward to their class reunion, where a prominent politician may have died of an overdose … or was killed. The British author said that living on the south coast of England is the perfect place for a crime writer. “Brighton has the reputation for being a little bit wicked. The writer Keith Waterhouse said it has the air of a town that is helping the police with their inquiries.”
Q: What else do you love about living in Brighton? A:
I may be biased, but I think it is a wonderfully historic town that also contains great independent shops. It’s surrounded by beautiful countryside. On top of all that, you’ve got the sea.
Q: Where have you visited for work that you went back to later for a vacation?
A:
Denmark. My books seem to have struck a chord with Danish readers, which is wonderful. I had such a great time meeting my publishers in Copenhagen and attending a crime-writing festival in Horsens that I went back with my husband. Andy is an archaeologist, so he got very excited about the bog bodies in Jutland. I loved the Tivoli Gardens.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A:
I try not to feel guilty about pleasure, but I do enjoy a large gin and tonic
on arrival.
Q: What untapped destination should people know about?
A:
If you like the idea of Italy, but want somewhere without tourists, go to Sperlonga in Latina. It’s beautiful (with) glorious sandy beaches, picturesque harbor and a historic town center that includes a Roman villa. Terracina, to the west, is also lovely.
Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels? A:
That the English are terrible at languages.
Q: If you could only pick one place to eat, would you prefer a food truck or fine dining?
A:
I’d pick the Italian equivalent of a food truck. You can eat wonderful food at any roadside cafe in Italy, even in service stations — especially Cantagallo near Bologna.
Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A:
I love going to Norfolk, where my “Ruth Galloway” books are set. Norwich is a fascinating city and there are also
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beautiful places along the coast, like Wells or Holt.
Q: Do you speak any foreign languages? A:
I speak Italian, though not fluently. I’m not a natural linguist, but I do try.
Q: Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home? A:
Lots of surprising places have a Brighton vibe, including Ann Arbor, Mystic (Connecticut) and Uppsala in Sweden.
Q: What would be your dream trip?
A:
India or China. I’d love to go on a railway trip across India.
Q: What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?
A:
My best recent memory is arriving in Saint Lucia at night — our first trip outside Europe since lockdown. My worst was a rented cottage in rural France where the village seemed to be deserted, apart from stray dogs that roamed the streets like wolves.