PHOTO: Marlene M. Bell, award-winning author and artist, explores the connection between adventure, antiquities, and storytelling on her Texas farm.
Author’s Journey Through Mystery, Antiquities, And Romance
Marlene M. Bell discusses crafting genre-blending novels, her love for antiquities and art, and the inspiration behind her internationally celebrated Annalisse series and standalone mysteries, including A Hush at Midnight.
Marlene M. Bell is a writer who straddles the line between artist and adventurer, weaving exceptional stories that reflect her passion for the past, her roots in nature, and her boundless curiosity. Her journey from crafting articles on sheep husbandry to penning internationally acclaimed thrillers is as unlikely as it is inspiring. With her celebrated Annalisse series, Bell has not only captured readers’ imaginations but also transported them to far-off lands filled with intrigue, romance, and danger. The series, a testament to her skill for blending meticulous research with gripping narrative, has garnered multiple awards and a devoted global readership.
An accomplished photographer and painter, her art has often inspired her novels, lending a striking visual authenticity to her settings. Whether portraying the historic wonders of Greece and Turkey or capturing the quiet beauty of East Texas, Bell’s storytelling is infused with her love for antiquities, natural landscapes, and the human connections that flourish within them. Her ability to take readers on immersive journeys while balancing romance and danger is evidence of her artistry and dedication to her craft.
Equally adept at weaving domestic crime and cosy mystery as she is at delivering high-stakes suspense, Bell’s versatility as a writer stands out. Her exploration of contrasting genres, from A Hush at Midnight to the gripping Annalisse novels, reveals a fearless commitment to storytelling that transcends expectations. Readers drawn to richly textured tales with heart-stopping twists and vividly painted worlds will find much to admire in Bell‘s work—including, perhaps, a touch of her creative spirit.
Marlene M. Bell delivers gripping stories with sharp detail and layered intrigue, delighting readers across mystery, suspense, and cosy mystery genres.
What first drew you from writing about sheep husbandry to crafting high-stakes international thrillers?
I fell into writing fiction by accident. My love of sheep, artwork, and photography had worked its way toward finding a larger audience for my creative ideas—and, I love a challenge. Using events from my lifetime, I developed a plan to weave adventures into fiction and attract new readers who enjoy travel-by-book. The crime and mystery genres felt like the best direction to entertain a worldwide following.
How do you balance meticulous research on antiquities with the need to keep the plot racing forward?
By taking plot points and breaking them down on index cards, I’m able to keep each scene straight in my mind, making notations where more visual research is required to paint vibrant pictures for readers. I use descriptive sensory details of surroundings to place the reader on site in each chapter. This makes them feel like they are part of the story. One of my hobbies is collecting antique furniture and antiquarian books. Having a personal love for antiquities helps with the flow once the narrative switches into high gear.
“I fell into writing fiction by accident, but my love of a challenge pushed me toward weaving adventure into stories.” – Marlene M. Bell
Which location in the Annalisse series surprised you most during your on-the-ground or virtual research?
While researching the countries of Turkey and Greece for Stolen Obsession, book one in the Annalisse series, I uncovered stunning scenery I hadn’t expected to find near the Castle of St. Peter (Bodrum Castle). Steeped in ancient history I adore, I hope to travel there with a journal one day, and visit Crete while sailing the Aegean, just like my book’s characters, Annalisse Drury and Alec Zavos—but without the murder and chaos!
When you write romantic tension between Annalisse and Alec, do you map it out in advance or let it evolve organically?
Both mapped and organic narratives go into final manuscript drafts. However, I prefer organically driven character actions because they tend to read more realistic, especially when it comes to dialog. I begin the process with strong perceptions from Annalisse’s point of view and imagine how the back and forth will develop between Annalisse and Alec. My charted ideas aren’t always correct, once my characters direct me. The couple encounters so many suspenseful and thrilleresque moments together, the slow, romantic respite offers readers a breather from the action. My characters and their interactions speak to me as I write, and more often than not, the organic tension tends to take on a mind of its own.
Could you share a moment when one of your own photographs or paintings directly inspired a scene or setting?
How about a cover? Having a book cover inspired by one of my photographs was a bucket list item for me. In A Hush at Midnight, I was afforded that opportunity. The standalone mystery takes place in a small fictional town in East Texas, USA. We’re known for our beautiful piney woods and incredible sunsets in this area. One particular sunset photo I took on our ranch felt right to the story. My cover designer from the UK who only works from actual photography, and not AI, came up with a brilliant finished piece for the book. He was able to use my photo, refine it, and design an eye-catching cover for A Hush at Midnight. Readers do indeed judge books by their covers. In the advent of online shopping from thumbnail photos on phones, a book cover has to catch the eye quickly. A sunset does this nicely.
“Collecting antiquarian books and antique furniture helps me create narratives steeped in rich historical detail.” – Marlene M. Bell
In “A Hush at Midnight,” you shift to a Southern culinary cosy-cum-thriller; what challenges did you face swapping continents and tones?
The cosy mystery took more time to outline due to the tone change from a faster-paced thriller/romantic suspense novel to a meandering domestic crime involving a loved one, known personally by the protagonist. Cosy readers want to know about a crime, but without too many gory details. My tendency to heavily describe a scene had to be written more subdued for this audience. To be honest, I found the cosy genre more restricting than anticipated. Writing a cosy was another hurdle I had to try, and having done it, I learned that my established readership prefers a faster moving plot. It’s what they’ve come to expect in my writing, having published four series installments with Annalisse and Alec.
Looking ahead, are there any mythologies or historical periods you’re itching to explore that you haven’t tackled yet?
My next challenge-in-progress is a novel that lies solidly in the thriller realm. Another new genre for me. I’d categorise the story as a domestic suspense thriller seated in a wintry rural setting. I hope to have this new release out in spring of 2026. The cover art is complete, and editing is currently underway.
Before I settled on the modern era for Stolen Obsession and subsequent books, I imagined writing a time-travel novel during the 17th century. To better understand my love of antiques and sheep, I’d like to venture back to that period in history. A journey from the United States and land in another country by unusual means. Specifically, jump into a Commonwealth country such as Australia or New Zealand, should I explore that possibility in the future. The first draft of Stolen Obsession included a bit of time travel near the ending. My developmental editor at the time, groaned and nixed that section out of existence because of my freewheeling cross into fantasy. I thoroughly enjoyed writing Copper Waters situated on the South Island of New Zealand, and can envision a time-travel book in another part of that magnificent region.
“I prefer organically driven character actions because they tend to feel more realistic, especially in dialogue.” – Marlene M. Bell
What single piece of advice would you give to authors struggling to merge genre-bending elements like romance, history, and suspense without losing narrative drive?
Mixing genres and doing it well comes with years of experience. The advice I give to all new writers is always the same; READ books by other authors and STUDY FICTION in general. Read many fiction-writing books prior to drafting your stories—then read some more. Learning what’s expected in each genre is the key to avid readers enjoying your work. Most of all, authors are best served by writing to readers’ expectations, and not their own. Stick to basic writing rules because each genre has its own learning curve. I find that reading many genres for personal pleasure enables me to stay in line with what is being published in popular fiction. See what traditional publishing houses are looking for in their authors, and liberally sprinkle in books by good independently published writers for that wider view.
