Author Interview with Louise Mangos

Welcome Readers to another installment of our author interview series. Today we have the pleasure of chatting with Louise Mangos, author of multiple Crime Thrillers and her recent Historical Fiction novel.

JMR-Welcome to the Books Delight, Louise. Tell our readers where you live, what you do for fun and what does the perfect day look like?

LM-I live in the foothills of the Swiss Alps and when I’m not writing I love to cross-country ski in the winter and wild swim in the lake in our valley in the summer. In spring and autumn I also enjoy cycling and hiking in the mountains. My perfect day involves getting up early to write, then doing some form of sport to get the creative juices flowing, and back to writing again in the afternoon. Settling down to read a good book at the end of the day would round it off perfectly.

JMR-What’s your favorite historical time period? Why?

LM-I’ve recently published a historical novel set during the birth of my adopted nation, Switzerland. Back in the fourteenth century the country was a tiny confederation consisting of three cantons or counties, fighting for independence. Researching and embellishing the life of the people who struggled through this period has brought the era close to my heart.

JMR-Who is your favorite historical figure? Why? If you could ask them one question, what would it be?

LM-Many people believe William Tell was a mythical character. But his stories have been so precisely passed down through generations in Switzerland, I believe he was a real part of the nation’s history. I would love to have asked his son Walter how he felt when his father shot the apple off his head with a crossbow, and whether his views in any way match those of his character in my novel, as nothing is known about him beyond the apple-shooting tale.

JMR- When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

LM-As soon as I opened my first exercise book at primary school and learned to write, I knew I wanted to create stories.

JMR- Your earlier books are thrillers; why the jump to historical fiction and how different is it to write than a contemporary thriller?

LM- Although I’ve published three suspense thrillers, for several years I’ve been researching and writing this historical novel in between. The narrative is based around a significant historical European event – The Battle of Morgarten – a battle in 1315 that stopped Switzerland falling into the ruling hands of the Habsburgs. This genre involves much more work, especially research and editing, taking particular care to recount events accurately and avoid anachronisms. But I’ve enjoyed the process, and hope to continue a series with these medieval characters.

JMR- Did you visit anyone of the places in your book? Where did you feel closest to your characters?

LM-I’m very lucky to live in the valley where the novel is set, and have been able to visit the hamlet where Magda grew up. I’ve have touched the walls of the toll tower next to where she lived, and walked by the lake where she harvested flax to make linen. I’ve hiked into the forest behind her house where the villagers felled wood for fuel, hunted for boar and deer and were able to strategically defend their village from marauders. There are a few scenes that take place in Luzern, my favourite Swiss city. Living in the setting of the book has certainly helped me to feel close to all the characters.

JMR- Louise, tell us about your new book, The Secrets of Morgarten.

LM- Magda is a beautiful weaver living in a hamlet next to the village of Morgarten. She befriends Walter, the discerning son of the notorious Wilhem Tell. But their budding romance is threatened by the arrival of handsome Sébastien, a fugitive Templar knight from France. The fledgling nation of Switzerland where Magda and Walter live is under threat from the Habsburgs. But deception and lies are rife and Sébastien has brought a secret with him. Walter must try to solve the mystery of a murder and a stolen relic before a mighty battle with the Habsburgs ensues. While the villagers are determined to save the nation, Walter and Sébastien are competing for the affections of Magda. It is a medieval mystery with a little romance and perhaps a little magic – that’s for readers to decide.

JMR-What projects do you have in the pipeline?

LM-My next psychological suspense “Six Fatal Flaws” is currently with beta readers; it will soon be sent for copy edits and proofreading. It should be published in spring this year. I’ve recently finished a humorous crime satire set in the world of literary festivals, which is currently being edited. I have several thousand words written of a fifth suspense thriller and ideas are brewing for the second in the medieval series.

JMR- Tell our readers how to find you on social media and the web.

LM-Here is a list of where you can find me:

https://louisemangos.com

https://www.facebook.com/LouiseMangosBooks

https://twitter.com/LouiseMangos

https://www.instagram.com/louisemangos/

https://www.tiktok.com/@louisemangos

 

JMR- What question were you hoping I’d ask but didn’t?

LM-What fuels my writing during the day? Tea and chocolate Hob Nobs of course, and I might sometimes reward my work with a glass of Prosecco at the end of the day ;o)

JMR- Thank you, Louise, for stopping by. Your books look really great! Readers, I’ve included a link to Louise’s books below. Please be sure to check them out.