I trust you all made it through the Ides of March unscathed.
With that notorious date behind us, I want to talk about ghosts—specifically Charlotte Chaubert, one of the House of Crosswick’s Grande Dames. Charlotte appears first in Money, Murder, Mayhem when Philip and Genevieve are still uncomfortable with their new titles of Lord and Lady Crosswick and still overwhelmed with what it means to be billionaires. (Who wouldn’t be?!)
Charlotte’s story is a beautiful but tragic tale that has captured readers’ hearts and piqued their curiosity. Without exception, when I speak to a group, everyone has questions about Charlotte.
Is Charlotte really a ghost or is she just a figment of the other character’s imagination?
Does Charlotte really play tricks or do other characters use her legend to explain the inexplicable?
If Charlotte isn’t real, why do some people feel her icy hand?
How does Charlotte choose the people to whom she reveals herself?
…and so many more.
Though Charlotte isn’t a major character in the series, her impact is substantial.
As I write the last book in the Lord and Lady Crosswick Mystery series, I’m having the best time toying with each character’s fate. Will any of the main characters die? Are the new characters good guys or bad guys? Will the major themes in the series—art, wine, family, jealousy—carry through in the final book?
And a huge question, how much of a role should Charlotte Chaubert play in the finale? As of now I think she’s going to be a major force, but we authors are notoriously capricious. What seems like a good idea today could fall out of favor by the time I wake up tomorrow, so Charlotte’s future isn’t yet secure.
You guys always have good ideas, so what do you think? Should Charlotte be an important part of the last chapter in the Crosswicks’ tale?
Cheers and Santé,
