I must be on an Australian mystery author binge right now. Sulari Gentill, author of “The Woman in the Library,” just released her newest novel, “The Mystery Writer.” Theodosia Benton, an Australian citizen, has abandoned her law school education and moved to the United States, specifically Kansas, to live with her brother, Gus.
Gus is a naturalized U.S. citizen and practices law in Lawrence.
He’s a young partner in a very busy law firm. Theo left Australia without telling her parents and wants to fulfill her dream to become a novelist. She and Gus agree to not tell their parents until it’s irreversible.
Gus insists she move in with him in his small house. Gus also insists she work on her novel outside the house so she has somewhere to go every day. He suggests she check out several of the bars in town, and she discovers Benders.
Benders is where a lot of authors hang out to write and chat with other authors. Due to the origins of Benders, it served as a haven for authors until late afternoon, when the after-work crowd came in for drinks and socializing. She has her routine within a few days.
Be at Benders by 9 a.m., set up her “office” at one of the booths and work on her novel.
Her good luck charm, a Jack Chase novel, is part of her office decor. Gus walked into the middle of a book signing by Chase, bought his newest novel and had it inscribed to Theo for her 14th birthday. Theo carried it with her everywhere; it was her good luck charm.
Chase was her favor.