Holly Rubenhold: “My studies are like working at the bottom of the Grand Canyon of Literature”

Where are you now and what do you see?

At a very cluttered desk in my home office. Through a pile of notebooks, papers and books, I see a nearby garden. This beautiful old pear tree has kept me company during the months I have been writing.

What are you reading?

When I write non-fiction, I rarely have time to read for pleasure. I only consume books related to my current project. At the moment this is my book about the murder of Belle Elmore by Dr. Wilson. Crippen in 1910. I have 23 books with different titles in two piles on the edge of my desk. Crippen: Easy Kill Tom Cullen, the rather dubious historical detective who accompanies Clara Collet’s 1902 collection of essays, Educated working women.

Who is your favorite author and why do you admire them?

I love the novels of L.S. Hilton, who is known for her psychological thrillers, including 2016. owner. She is an extremely intuitive writer.

Describe the space in which you usually write…

I am lucky that I have a small office at home. A few years ago I built bookshelves to the ceiling, and now it’s like working at the bottom of the Grand Canyon of Literature. I also have a treadmill in this room so when I tire my brain I can do the same for the rest of my body.

What fictional character do you like the most?

amazing woman.

Who is your heroine outside of literature?

Any woman willing to embrace the status quo and shake it up, from Helena Normanton, one of the nation’s first female criminal lawyers, to Kamala Harris. As for heroes and heroines, I also think it’s important to remember that no one is perfect and we as humans shouldn’t set impossible standards for ourselves. A hero or heroine is just as imperfect as any of us.