Hannah Dennison

Hannah Dennison is the author of The Vicky Hill Mysteries (Little, Brown) and the Honeychurch Hall Mysteries (Minotaur), both set in the wilds of the Devonshire countryside. Dennison originally moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting. She has been an obituary reporter, antique dealer, private jet flight attendant and Hollywood story analyst. Now living in Portland, Oregon, she still continues to teach mystery writing workshops at the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program in Los Angeles, California. Dennison has served on numerous judging committees for Mystery Writers of America and is serving on the MWA board for 2016-2018.

Although she spends most of her time in Oregon with her husband and two insane Vizsla dogs, Dennison’s heart remains in England. She is a passionate supporter of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, the Historic Houses Association, and the National Trust. She enjoys all country pursuits, movies, theater and seriously good chocolate.

Dennison's new novel is A Killer Ball at Honeychurch Hall.

Recently I asked the author about what she was reading. Her reply:

Like many readers, I have a stack of books on my nightstand. With the recent publication of A Killer Ball at Honeychurch Hall, I’ve been doing a lot of traveling—and that means reading more than usual.

In the past two weeks I’ve read Allison Leotta’s Law of Attraction featuring federal prosecutor Anna Curtis. Anna is a smart, savvy lawyer who fights to protect women from domestic violence. What particularly impressed me was how Leotta skillfully weaves humor and romance into what can be a particularly tough subject. I’ve already ordered the rest of that series.

Next was The River of Darkness, the first in the John Madden mysteries by Rennie Airth. My grandfather fought in the trenches on the Western Front and suffered from shellshock—or PTSD. Airth’s detective is haunted by his own experiences during the First World War making this particular series of murders he is investigating all the more chilling. I read it in from cover to cover on the plane in one go!

I’ve just finished Con Lehane’s new book Murder at the 42nd Street Library. Set in the iconic, beaux-arts flagship of the New York Library we meet Raymond Ambler, curator of the Crime Fiction Collection. The plot revolves around a mystery writer who recently donated his private papers to the collection. What struck me most was Lehane’s intimate knowledge of New York and the inner workings of the actual library—although he is quick to point out that there is no real Crime Fiction Collection.

And finally, for light relief, I love Allie Brosh’s collection of crazy cartoons in Hyperbole and a Half. No, they are not mysteries but they are clever and simply hilarious!

Visit Hannah Dennison's website and Facebook page.

The Page 69 Test: Murder at Honeychurch Hall.

My Book, The Movie: Murder at Honeychurch Hall.

My Book, The Movie: Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall.

The Page 69 Test: Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall.

--Marshal Zeringue