Alyssa Maxwell is the author of the acclaimed Gilded Age, Newport mystery series featuring Emmaline Cross. She's a Vanderbilt by heritage, a Newporter by birth and a force to be reckoned with. Each book is set in a famous Newport Gilded Age mansion, some of them still open for viewing. Welcome to the Joys of Binge Reading, the show for anyone who ever got to the end of a great book and wanted to read the next instalment. We interview successful series authors and recommend the best in mystery, suspense, historical and romance series, so you'll never be without a book you can't foot down. You'll find this episode's show notes, a free ebook, and lots more information at the joys of binge reading.com. And now here's our show. Hi, I'm your host, Jenny Wheeler, and in the last Binge Reading episode for a while, we talk to Alyssa about her fascination for historical mysteries, resulting in the widely praised, 12 books series, with Book #1, Murder At The Breakers. premiering as a Hallmark movie earlier this year. We're going to be talking about the latest book om the series today, Murder at Vinand. Emma must stop a bold poisoner who was targeting the society wives of the 400 in Gilded Age Newport, Rhode Island. As I've announced a few posts ago, this is going to be the last episode of The Joys of Binge Reading podcast for a while. We’re taking a break, maybe permanently, after 300 episodes, but you can always catch up on your favorite authors in the published shows, which are currently being posted to YouTube as well. Our Book Giveaway Our free book giveaway for this episode is Sadie's Vow, the first book in my Home At Last mystery series, set in Gilded Age San Francisco. You'll find the links to download in the show notes for this episode on the website, the joys of binge reading.com. SADIE'S VOW - FREE BOOK HERE'S THE LINK IF THE BUTTON DOESN'T WORK... https://dl.bookfunnel.com/rg3g2284e7 As I say, this is the last show for me for a while. I want to use my time to write more books. I've loved the time that I've spent talking to and researching the authors that I've featured on the show. Many of them, I love to still read the books, but it is just now time for a change. Links to things mentioned in the show Gilded Age: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilded_Age Cornelius Vanderbilt: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelius_Vanderbilt https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelius_Vanderbilt_II Consuelo Vanderbilt: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consuelo_Vanderbilt Consuelo Second Husband: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Balsan Alva Vanderbilt: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Balsan Nellie Bly: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nellie_Bly Sleuths In Time: https://www.facebook.com/SleuthsInTime/ Newport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport,_Rhode_Island Saratoga: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saratoga_Springs,_New_York Newport Preservation Society: https://www.newportmansions.org/ The Breakers: https://www.newportmansions.org/mansions-and-gardens/the-breakers/ A Lady and Lady's Maid mysteries: https://www.alyssamaxwell.com/ladys-maid-books Arleigh House: https://househistree.com/houses/arleigh Where to find Alyssa Maxwell online Website: alyssamaxwell.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyssa.maxwell.750 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssamaxwellauthor/ Introducing historical mystery author Alyssa Maxwell Alyssa Maxwell: Gilded Newport mysteries Now it's time for Alyssa. Jenny Wheeler: Hello there, Alyssa, and welcome to the show. It's great to have you with us. Alyssa Maxwell: Thank you, Jenny, for having me on. Jenny Wheeler: Your Gilded Newport Mysteries have attracted great reviews, and you've also got the first book in the series now as a Hallmark movie. Congratulations on that. Tell us firstly, why did you find the Gilded Age a fascinating period to write about and what do you think its a...