Murder Most Unladylike author Robin Stevens on how her school years influenced the series

For author Robin Stevens, there was always a draw to mystery novels.

"I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t telling stories," she told HerFamily, as she discussed the inspiration behind her wildly popular Murder Most Unladylike series - and what's made her want to become an author. Reflecting on what made her want to become an author, she said:

"I'm not totally sure [what inspired me to become a writer]; I saw other people writing -  like my father and grandfather. "I've always had a real impulse to tell stories, thinking through the things I've experienced and seen."

For Stevens, there was a particular draw towards the mystery genre - citing some of her biggest inspirations were the works of Agatha Christie and Enid Blyton. A "huge murder mystery fan from the age of 12 onwards," she told us how her own school days - and her love for crime fiction - led her to find the inspiration to write her Murder Most Unladylike series. She continued:

"[Growing up] I went to boarding school. I wanted to write a book that ws a little bit based on my own school life and experiences; for good and for bad.  "I wanted to write something about crime, but my own crime fiction - and I wanted the detectives to be the age I was at the school.  "I remember wishing I could've related to those detectives more, back when I was at that age - I think that's partially when [the idea of] Murder Most Unladylike came to me. "I'm quite pleased I've given kids a bit more of a stepping stone [to the works of Agatha Christie and Enid Blyton]."

[caption id="attachment_351407" align="alignnone" width="522"] Image via Chris Close 2018[/caption] Set in the 1930s, the series tells the story of detectives Daist Wells and Hazel Wong - two students at the Deepdean School for Girls. So far, it's spanned seven books - with an eighth instalment in the series due to hit shelves in August. Top Marks For Murder, out on August 8, sees Hazel and Daisy finally return to Deepdean just as the school is getting ready to celebrate a massive event: its fiftieth anniversary. However, as Stevens explained:

"[Hazel and Daisy] have been gone for a term and a half. In the meantime, a glamorous new girl has turned up and stolen the spotlight from Daisy - and she's not sure how to reclaim the spotlight."

Plus, many of the girls' former allies have now become enemies - so things are much different for them this time around. But then they witness a shocking incident in the woods near the school, one which they are convinced is linked to the anniversary. And as family members begin to arrive at Deepdean for the celebrations, longtime grudges and rivalries bubble up - and some deep, dark secrets begin to surface. Soon, even Deepdean's future is at stake - and the girls are rushing not only to solve the case, but to save their home. And in good news for fans of Hazel and Daisy, it looks like it won't be the detectives' final case. The author added:

"Book 8 won’t be last in the series - there may be more in the future. It’s not the end for Daisy and Hazel."

The author will be appearing at the International Festival of Literature in Dublin this weekend - you can find out more information here. What a World! Authors 4 Oceans: Robin Stevens & Lauren St John with Flossie Donnelly takes place on Sunday, May 19 at 12pm. Murder Most Unladylike with Robin Stevens takes place on Sunday, May 19 at 2pm.