Welcome to Behind the Pen. Today my guest is Queensland author Janet Lee, whose novel The Killing of Louisa was recently released by UQP. Over to you Janet, what is your favourite…and why…

Character from one of your books?
The Missus from The Killing of Louisa. The Missus has a very complex back story yet you only glimpse a small part of her in The Killing of Louisa.

Scene from one of your books?
Hmm. Perhaps a scene I am writing in a new work – where a child sees something they shouldn’t, and this becomes important in the story.

Movie of all time?
Gosh, so hard to choose just one, but maybe To Kill a Mockingbird. I think Scout and Jim are exactly as I imagined them.

Book that you always keep a copy of and recommend to others?
Again, so hard to choose just one. Our Sunshine by Robert Drewe. I love the voice.

Fashion accessory that despite having plenty of, you still keep collecting?
Hats. I have…eerhm, well let’s just say I have a few big hats! But I do live in Queensland, so I consider them a fashion necessity.

Drink that you enjoy everyday?
Tea. Because everything is always wonderful after a cup of tea.

Treat you indulge in?
Sitting on my deck with a cup of tea and a book.

Place to be?
Home. Because my family is there.

Person you admire?
My husband. Because he is kind and thoughtful.

Season of the year?
Winter. Because I love rugging up in jumpers, boots and scarves…and then there is the hot chocolate.

The Killing of Louisa

To lose one husband may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like murder.

In New South Wales in1888, Louisa Collins was sentenced to hang after being tried multiple times for the alleged murders of her two husbands. The testimony of her young daughter helped to decide her fate.

This clever and compelling novel recreates Louisa’s time in her Darlinghurst prison cell as she reflects on her life and on the grief and loss that delivered her to this place. Despite difficult marriages, financial hardship and the deaths of several children, she remains resilient and determined to have her own identity.

But as she faces her final days, will Louisa confess to her crimes? Or is an innocent woman about to be hanged?

Published by UQP
Released 3rd September 2018