Insights from an Award-Winning Author
Award-winning author Pamela Harju discusses her In Time to the Music series, blending her love for rock music and the supernatural in a cosy mystery set in a captivating college.
Pamela Harju is, without question, a literary force to be reckoned with. An award-winning author with an exceptional ability to weave music, emotion, and the extraordinary into her stories, she has built a body of work that captivates readers across genres. Whether you’re drawn to romance, entranced by mystery, or intrigued by supernatural twists, Pamela’s writing delivers it all with a distinctive voice. Her novels, including the award-winning Two Hearts in a Grave and Sympathetic Strings, as well as her genre-defying debut The Truth about Tomorrow, have solidified her place among contemporary literary talents worth celebrating.
Not content with crafting compelling tales of love, Pamela seamlessly transitions into the world of musical fiction, and now, with the delightful In Time to the Music series, she ventures into cosy supernatural mysteries. Centring on Vanessa Naylor’s curious ability to receive cryptic warnings through music, the series fuses Pamela’s trademark love for rock and roll with a charming, enigmatic backdrop. Set in the atmospheric Edwardston Music College, this fresh and inventive storyline is an irresistible invitation to immerse yourself in a world where melody meets mystery.
In this exclusive interview, Pamela delves into the inspirations behind her stories, her journey as an author, and her passion for music and writing. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to her work, Pamela Harju’s insights are sure to strike the right chord. Let’s dive in.
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.
