A Rather Peculiar Poisoning with Author Chrystal Schleyer

Set at a turn-of-the-century manor, this book gives off Downton Abbey vibes with a side of murder. Eloise grew up as the childhood friend of twin brothers Easton and Weston. While she’s always been in love with Weston since they were children, Weston, as the second son, must marry an heiress to make his way in the world. After learning of Weston’s proposal to a wealthy but plain heiress, Della Drewitt, Eloise accepts Easton’s proposal, under one condition. The twins’ younger sister stays at home instead of being sent off to a home where she can be looked after.

The book pivots between different times in the relationship between the characters as well as POV’s of Easton, Weston, Eloise, Della, and the ‘downstairs staff’, Violet, and Sadie. Pay attention to each clue as you read along because you’ll never guess the twist at the end.

For fans of Downton Abbey and Knives Out, if you like mysteries with a twist, check out this brief Q&A before you order your copy!

When did you first come up with the idea for your latest novel, A Rather Peculiar Poisoning?

I started writing ARPP in 2022, and most of it came to me as I was writing it. I had only a small seed of an idea before writing it.

What was your biggest source of inspiration throughout the time you were writing the book?

I’ve always loved the mystery genre, as well as enjoying Downton Abbey. I wanted ARPP to have the complicated relationships in Knives Out in a time period I enjoyed. I also used my own relationship as a twin to show how different twins can be (but that’s where the comparison stops! Haha.)

Is the home/garden/lake where the story is set based on a real place?

Not at all! But if it were, I’d love to explore the hidden hallways!

Which POV did you enjoy writing from the most, and was it hard to go back and forth between the characters?

Della and Eloise! Their POVs came much more easily to me than Sadie’s or Violet’s, and it gave me more freedom to hide things and not give anything away too quickly.

What scene was the most difficult to write?

The final scene shows Easton and Eloise together. I rewrote it several times until the emotions and actions felt believable.

Which character do you feel the most connected to?

Della, by far! I wrote many of my own insecurities and character flaws into her.

Let’s talk about the twist (without giving anything away). At what point did you know how things were going to end up? Or was that always the plan?

When I first started writing, I only knew the ending! I had to work my way backward and create all the problems and complicated relationships to get there.

If the book were to be turned into a feature film, who do you imagine in the roles of Easton/Weston, Eloise, and Della?

Okay, I’m not up to date on celebrities, so I went to Google for the answer to this question. I suppose I always envisioned Eloise to resemble Maria Mesa, and Della perhaps a bit like Florence Pugh. As for the twins—oh man, I really don’t know! Readers will have to tell me who they envision them as!

Are you currently working on your next book? If so, could we get a sneak peek?

I am. It’s a bit of a love letter from me to all things mystery, the south, and Bookstagram. I so hope it makes it to shelves one day!