In Conversation with Gail Bowen

The evening air hums with quiet anticipation, the kind that settles over a room before the unravelling of a mystery. A soft glow spills from a single lamp, casting long shadows that dance across pages lined with intrigue. Outside, a crisp Saskatchewan breeze whispers through the trees, just enough to stir the imagination.

Within this setting of quiet contemplation, I have the privilege of speaking with Gail Bowen, an acclaimed author whose Joanne Kilbourn series has captivated readers with its nuanced characters and finely woven plots. A recipient of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, Bowen brings both insight and artistry to the world of mystery fiction. Tonight, in this hushed space filled with the echoes of suspense and storytelling, she shares the inspirations, the discipline, and the enduring craft that make her novels so compelling.

Let’s step inside and uncover the mind behind the mysteries.

James:  Who is Gail Bowen? Do your books give us any clues or insight into Gail Bowen? 

Gail:     Joanne is not me, but in many ways, she is like me.  In Deadly Appearances, Joanne has three children and two dogs. She deeply loves them all. She's an academic who makes occasional appearances on CBC radio and TV. She teaches Sunday School; She's active politically.  She lives in a world where she is lucky enough to have close friends who are diverse. She likes good food and good books.  All this is true of me, except luckily for me, I have a husband, and I only know one person who was murdered. 

James: Joanne Kilbourn may not be you, Gail, but it’s clear that she carries many threads of your life, your academic world, your political engagement, your love of good food and good books. That depth makes her feel so authentic to readers. Your comment about only knowing one person who was murdered is a striking contrast to Joanne’s world, underscoring how fiction allows writers to explore realities beyond their own experiences.

It’s fascinating how you’ve crafted a character who is shaped by your perspective yet entirely her own person. That balance between personal insight and creative storytelling is part of what makes your mysteries so compelling. Thank you for sharing this glimpse into your connection with Joanne!

What is your writing Kryptonite?

Gail:     I am a very disciplined writer.  In part, this comes from the fact that when I began writing, I had three school-age children, I taught a full academic load at First Nations University of Canada, and for seven years, I was Head of our English Department. I taught Sunday School and was politically active.  I learned to write in the cracks. Since I began writing, I have written every day, even if it's only a few lines.

    Now that I'm retired, I treat my writing like any job. I'm an early riser, so I generally answer emails, etc, before 7:00 a.m. I write until noon.  After lunch, I have a nap and I start writing again at 2:00 p.m. I write till 4:30. I do the treadmill between 4:30 and 5:00, and then I'm free for the day. 

My Kryptonite is anything that disturbs my routine.

James: Your dedication to writing is truly inspiring, Gail. The discipline you cultivated while balancing family, teaching, and political involvement speaks volumes about your commitment to storytelling. Writing “in the cracks” and making time every day, even for just a few lines, is a testament to your passion and perseverance.

Now that you have transitioned into retirement, your structured approach to writing, treating it like any job, shows how deeply ingrained it is in your daily life. It’s fascinating to see how routine fuels creativity, and I can appreciate how disruptions might feel like Kryptonite to your process. Thank you for sharing this insight into your writing life! It is a privilege to glimpse the rhythm behind your work.

What is your go-to writing fuel or favourite snack while working on a project?

Gail:     I'm not much of a snacker, I drink one cup of coffee a day and one cup of Constant Comment tea.  That's it.  Boring, huh? 

James: Not boring at all, Gail! It’s refreshing to hear about such a simple and mindful approach to daily habits. There’s something comforting about a well-chosen routine, and your preference for a single cup of coffee and Constant Comment tea adds a touch of consistency to your day. Sometimes, less is more, especially when it comes to the little rituals that keep life steady. Thanks for sharing this personal detail!

What is the most unexpected place you have found inspiration for a murder plot?

Gail:     The inspiration for Deadly Appearances, my first Joanne Kilbourn Shreve novel, was an Old Tyme Political Picnic. It had everything that makes a great picnic: softball, horseshoes, count the jelly beans in the glass jar, barbecued chicken, corn on the cob, and lemon pie by the slice.  It was perfect.  We were celebrating Roy Romanow becoming the leader of our Saskatchewan NDP, and I noticed a pitcher of water on the podium where Roy would speak.  I thought how lucky we were to live in Canada, where a pitcher of water for a political leader could be left unattended.  And then I had the bad actor drop poison in the pitcher, and I was off to the races. 

James: What a fascinating origin story for Deadly Appearances, Gail! The idyllic setting of the Old Tyme Political Picnic, with its classic games and comforting food, contrasts so sharply with the dark turn your imagination took. Your observation about the unattended pitcher of water is such a poignant reflection on the trust and security we often take for granted in Canada, and how quickly that sense of safety can become the foundation for a compelling mystery.

It is incredible how a single moment of inspiration can spark an entire novel. Thank you for sharing this glimpse into your creative process!

Do you feel like it is most important to have?

A)     Strong characters

B)      Mind-blowing Plot twists

C)     Epic settings

Why?

Gail:     Strong Characters and a solid plot are equally important.  There's no need for an epic setting. I have written a small but useful text titled Sleuth. It's probably in everyone's local library, and it's very useful.

James: Your emphasis on strong characters and a solid plot is spot on, Gail. A compelling story does not need an epic setting; it needs depth, authenticity, and well-crafted intrigue, which your novels consistently deliver. Sleuth sounds like a valuable resource for writers looking to hone their craft, and I appreciate that it’s widely accessible in libraries. Thank you for sharing your insights!

How do you come up with names for your characters?

Gail:     The one thing I am careful about is selecting surnames that reflect many cultures.  When I came to Saskatchewan 50 years ago, the community was largely Caucasian, Ukrainian, and Indigenous.  Now our province is much more diverse, and I choose surnames that reflect this. 

James: That thoughtful approach to naming characters is so important, Gail. It is wonderful to see how your writing reflects the evolving diversity of Saskatchewan. By selecting surnames that represent many cultures, you are ensuring that your stories resonate with a broader audience and reflect the rich tapestry of the province today. It is a meaningful way to acknowledge the changes in your community while keeping your characters authentic. Thank you for sharing this insight!

Which of the characters that you have created do you relate to the most?

Gail:     Definitely Joanne; after all these years, I still love writing about her and her relationship with her husband, Zack Shreve.

James: Joanne is such a compelling character, Gail, and it’s wonderful to hear that after all these years, you still find joy in writing about her and her relationship with Zack Shreve. That enduring connection speaks to the depth of their story and the richness of their evolution throughout your novels. It is always a pleasure to follow their journey. Thank you for continuing to bring them to life!

What part of Deadly Appearances did you have the most fun writing?

Gail:     Deadly Appearances was my first novel, so everything was fun.  It was like the first day of school -- all those crayons, brand new and bright.

James:  What a wonderful way to describe the experience, Gail! There’s something magical about that first novel, every idea feels fresh, every page full of possibility, just like a new box of crayons waiting to bring a story to life. That sense of excitement and discovery shines through in Deadly Appearances, making it such a compelling debut. Thank you for sharing this glimpse into your writing journey!

Do you base any of your quirky characters on real people you have met? If so, how do they react when they find out?

Gail:     I certainly find traits and behaviours in real people that I use, but I've never modelled a character on someone I knew. 

James:  That’s such an interesting approach, Gail. It makes sense that traits and behaviours from real people naturally find their way into your characters, but keeping them distinct ensures they remain fully fictional creations. It allows for a rich, dynamic cast that is not bound to any one individual’s story. Your ability to craft characters with depth and authenticity, without directly modelling them on real people, speaks to your skill as a writer. Thanks for sharing this insight!

How do you balance storytelling with deeper themes or messages in your work?

Gail:     The answer to that question is discussed at length in Sleuth.

James: If you could have a cuppa with any author, dead or alive, who would you choose and what is the first question you would ask him or her?

Gail:     There are so many writers I would love to have a cuppa with. T.S. Eliot, C.S. Lewis, Virginia Woolf, C.P. Snow, Philip Roth,  Ruth Rendell, and Eleanor Wachtel,  Ian Rankin. Peter Robinson, Howard Engel, Alison Gorden - I've had many meals with the last six.

James: That’s an incredible list, Gail! The idea of sharing a conversation over tea with writers like T.S. Eliot, Virginia Woolf, and C.S. Lewis is fascinating; they each brought such depth and originality to their work. And how wonderful that you’ve had the chance to share meals with Peter Robinson, Howard Engel, Alison Gorden, and others. Those connections must have led to some truly memorable discussions. Thank you for sharing this glimpse into the writers who inspire you!

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers. 

Gail:     Three Things that would surprise people about me

I can't drive a car.

I love Garth Brooks and all orchestral music, especially Prokofiev's Piano Concerto #3 - performed by Yuja Wang.

I love fish.

James:  Those are such intriguing details, Gail! Not being able to drive might surprise many, but it’s a reminder that creativity thrives regardless of practical skills. Your love for both Garth Brooks and orchestral music, especially Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 performed by Yuja Wang, shows such a fascinating and eclectic range of musical appreciation. And of course, loving fish adds a personal touch! These little revelations make for a wonderful glimpse into what makes you uniquely you. Thanks for sharing!

What is the single question no one ever asks you that you wish someone would ask?

Gail:     I've been writing for thirty-five years. I think I've been asked everything. The most poignant question came in response to Joanne's need to forgive someone who betrayed her in 12 Rose Street.  After that book was published, many people asked me if I could teach them how to forgive.

James:  That’s such a powerful reflection, Gail. Forgiveness is one of the most profound and difficult human experiences, and incredibly, 12 Rose Street resonated so deeply with readers. The fact that people turned to you, seeking guidance on how to forgive, speaks to the emotional depth of your storytelling. It is a reminder of how literature can spark real conversations about life’s most challenging moments. Thank you for sharing this poignant insight!

Pick one excerpt from one of your books that you would like to share with readers.

Gail:     The excerpt I've chosen is from pages 188 and 189 of What’s Past is Prologue, the 21st novel in the Joanne Kilbourn Shreve series. It was published in 2022.

The speaker is Taylor Love-Shreve, the adopted daughter of Joanne and Zack Shreve. At twenty-two, Taylor is already a very successful visual artist. She is delivering a brief ’artist’s talk', establishing the context of the paintings the gallery's guests will see that night.  The show is titled "Next?" and all the pieces in the show focus on a significant moment in Taylor's life.  The painting is large: 177 centimetres by 111 centimetres.  "When I made this painting, I worked from a photo my mother, Joanne Kilbourn Shreve, took the day she brought me home to live with her and her children, Mieka, Peter and Angus. I was four years old.

   "That's me in the red sweater kneeling in front of the coffee table in the living room, drawing a butterfly.

Details are important for me when I paint, I hope this painting shows exactly where I was at that moment. 

Everyone in my family had died suddenly and I was in a house I'd never been in before, You can see the shapes of the dining room furniture in the background, but there's no colour or depth there --- just darkness and shadows.

   "That nimbus of light that surrounds me and the table and the crayons that I'd arranged in order -- the same order I use now -- and the drawing of the butterfly, that nimbus shows how I made a world small enough for me to feel safe in.  I didn't understand anything. Joanne stayed with me all the time I was drawing, but she's not in the painting because I was afraid to let her in. The only thing I could understand for certain was that I could draw.  I knew that as long as I could draw that butterfly and another one and another one and another one, I would be safe.

   "It took a long time, but finally my mum, Joanne and Mieka, Peter and Angus made me understand that I could be safe outside that small nimbus of light. That painting marks the moment when I moved from the small, enclosed world I'd created to keep myself safe to the larger world of risks and endless possibilities. That was my NEXT? Thank you for coming tonight.

James: Thank you for sharing this excerpt, Gail. Taylor’s words are incredibly moving, offering such a powerful insight into the emotional depth of her journey. The way she describes creating a safe space within the painting, building her own world of light when everything else felt dark, is profoundly touching.

The transition she makes, from seeking security in art to embracing the larger world, is beautifully conveyed, and the painting itself serves as a lasting testament to that transformation. It’s a compelling exploration of resilience, identity, and healing. I appreciate this glimpse into What’s Past is Prologue, such a meaningful moment in Taylor’s story!

What made you choose this particular excerpt?

Gail:     I chose this excerpt because it reveals how wounded a child can be if they suffer a sudden loss and how they are strong enough to create a small world where they feel safe. That world is the world of imagination, and it's often expressed in the arts but can be seen as well in the way we live our lives.

The passage also shows Joanne's instinct for knowing what others need and offering it.

James: This excerpt is so powerful, Gail. It beautifully illustrates how a child, in the face of profound loss, can build a safe space within their imagination, a world where they have control and comfort. That resilience, expressed through art, speaks to the healing nature of creativity and how it extends beyond the canvas into everyday life.

Joanne’s instinct to recognize and provide exactly what Taylor needed is deeply moving. Her presence, though absent from the painting, is felt in the way she gently created an environment where Taylor could begin to trust and heal. Thank you for sharing such a meaningful passage!

The evening settles in with a quiet hush, the kind that lingers after an unforgettable conversation. A soft glow from the window casts shifting patterns against the floor, subtle reminders of the stories shared and the insights revealed.

Gail, thank you for taking the time to speak with us, for offering such rich reflections on your writing, your characters, and the creative world you inhabit. Your generosity in sharing your experiences, whether about discipline, inspiration, or the ever-evolving landscape of storytelling, has been truly inspiring. Your words carry the depth of lived wisdom, and the way you weave emotion into mystery is nothing short of masterful.

As the night deepens, your stories continue to resonate, lingering like echoes in the quiet. With gratitude, we close this conversation, knowing that the mysteries you craft and the characters you bring to life will remain with us long after the final page is turned.