Blending Music, Mystery, And Supernatural Themes
Pamela Harju masterfully combines her love for music and the supernatural in her distinctive works, including the In Time to the Music series, making her a truly original voice in fiction.
Pamela Harju’s literary brilliance is nothing short of remarkable. As an author whose works span genres with seamless finesse, her talent is evident in every book she pens. From the poignant exploration of love in Yours Remotely and Two Hearts in a Grave—a title that has deservedly won accolades in the Music and Musical Fiction categories—to the thought-provoking mystery of A World Other Than Her Own and the romantic charm of Sympathetic Strings, Harju’s stories reveal a distinct ability to touch readers’ hearts while keeping them enthralled. Not to mention, her debut novel, The Truth about Tomorrow, which captured the literary world’s attention by clinching the WriteIntoPrint’s Captivating Opening Contest in 2017, remains a standout testament to her skill in crafting unforgettable narratives.
What makes Pamela Harju’s writing uniquely compelling is her deep-rooted connection to music, an industry she reveres and skillfully weaves throughout her stories. As the pioneer of musical fiction, she offers more than just words on a page—she delivers experiences that hum with rhythm, emotion, and often, the unexpected. Her latest foray into supernatural cosy mysteries with the In Time to the Music series takes this creative interplay even further, combining her passion for music with a thrilling dash of the supernatural. It’s no surprise that her vivid imagination, coupled with meticulous research and clever storytelling, continues to mesmerise readers around the globe.
Beyond the books, Pamela’s fascinating life offers further insight into her creativity. Born in Finland and now calling the Irish countryside home, her life is as rich and varied as the stories she writes. Whether it’s her love of tattooed rockers, her dedication to agility training with her beloved dogs, or her penchant for old houses, each element of her personality feeds into the vivid worlds she creates on the page. It is our greatest honour to feature Pamela Harju in this month’s issue of Reader’s House as we explore her inspirations, her challenges, and the future of her enchanting In Time to the Music series. Prepare to be inspired by one of the most original voices of our time.
Pamela Harju’s innovative storytelling, combined with her passion for music, has earned her numerous accolades and devoted readers worldwide.
What inspired you to blend music and the supernatural in your cosy mystery series, In Time to the Music?
These are two of my favourite things. I’m a huge music fan, and I have always loved stories with supernatural and unusual twists, so when I was looking for ideas for a series, I knew I had to incorporate both of those. I have so many ideas that I always welcome the opportunity to join some of them together.
Vanessa’s musical warnings are a unique twist—did you base this ability on any real-life experiences or folklore?
I don’t recall ever hearing of anything like this, in folklore or otherwise. I have a hectic internal jukebox, but it’s more reactive than proactive! To be honest, I can’t remember what inspired the idea, but I’m so glad it came to me because it’s a lot of fun to write and a great opportunity to research appropriate songs.
Your bio mentions a love for rock bands and music—how has your personal connection to music influenced your writing?
I almost always write about music, one way or another. I’m the least musically talented person you could ever meet, but I find musicians fascinating people and kindred spirits, mostly very down-to-earth and kind. Rockers and metalheads can look rough with all their tattoos and leatherjackets, but most of them are total softies. Music is such an inspiration to me, both as a constant soundtrack to my own life and as a provider of experiences, which all writers need.
What was the biggest challenge in writing a supernatural cosy mystery compared to your previous musical fiction? Sometimes, I get so carried away with the story that I forget about Vanessa’s musical premonitions! This is also my first attempt at a series, and I hadn’t realised what a challenge it is to keep so many plots going – one for each book as well as overarching storylines – and maintain pacing. I don’t want to reveal too much in book one, but at the same time, I want to drop enough hints of what’s to come to keep readers coming back. I promise everything will come together at the end of the series.
Can you share any behind-the-scenes details about the setting of Edwardston Music College? Is it based on a real place?
It’s not based on any real place I’ve seen, but I admire many of the stunning college buildings in UK and Ireland. We don’t really have anything like them in Finland where I grew up. I wanted the setting to sort of be a character in itself – I sound like the creators of Lost now – and a place readers would be happy to return to – cosy and familiar, yet mysterious with plenty of history.
What’s next for Vanessa Naylor? Do you have a long-term vision for the In Time to the Music series?
Vanessa’s off on another adventure with her sidekick Remmy, this time to a private island off the coast of Ireland. I plan the series to consist of six full-length novels as well as some short stories in between. I’m currently writing the first draft of book five. You can get started with the series by reading the prequel, Overture, which is available for free in most e-book stores.
