Zombie Abbey by Lauren Baratz-Logsted ~ Author Interview

1920, England

And the three teenage Clarke sisters thought what they’d wear to dinner was their biggest problem…

Lady Kate, the entitled eldest.
Lady Grace, lost in the middle and wishing she were braver.
Lady Lizzy, so endlessly sunny, it’s easy to underestimate her.

Then there’s Will Harvey, the proud, to-die-for—and possibly die with!—stable boy; Daniel Murray, the resourceful second footman with a secret; Raymond Allen, the unfortunate-looking young duke; and Fanny Rogers, the unsinkable kitchen maid.

Upstairs! Downstairs! Toss in some farmers and villagers!

None of them ever expected to work together for any reason.

But none of them had ever seen anything like this.

Amazon | B&N

Now Available from Entangled Teen

Val was able to interview this author!

Check it out below!

Sounds like things are going to be interesting inside this books pages. And what exactly does one wear to dinner in the 1920 in England? What I mean is, How different is the England of the 1920's compared to the 1890's?

In 1920 England, I might wear a Chanel or Vionnet dress in a jewel tone, the dress might actually show a hint of my figure – you might even see my collarbone or catch a glimpse of ankle! In 1890, if I’m not covered from neck to floor, well, who knows? It could mean the end of the British Empire. (Of course, zombies could do that to the British Empire too.) Then, as now, the biggest difference in eras is the technology. Refrigeration and wider usage of inventions like the telephone have made a huge change in places like Porthampton Abbey. Villagers may still not have such luxuries, but up at the Abbey we never suffer. (Until the zombies come.)

There are three sisters and a maid. Who's story is this, or is it everyone's story?
It’s everyone’s story. It’s the story of the three sisters and maid you mention, and it’s also the story of the stable boy, the footman and the duke – it’s even the story of three cats! Those are all of our main point-of-view characters, but ZOMBIE ABBEY is also the story of everyone else in the book – upstairs, downstairs and villagers – who must come together to survive. Come to that, it’s also the story of the zombies! (And now I’ve used the words “the story” far too many times and will resolve not to again for the remainder of this interview.) 

Hehe. 

And Zombies? In 1920's England? Yeah, about that. Is this more survival or building relationships that aren't normally made?

Both. (Having gassed on through the last two questions, I figured I’d go monosyllabic for once. Plus? It’s true.)

And it must be asked...where did you get the idea for this story?

From the same crazy brain – my own – that once whispered to me, ‘Why not a dark comedy about a woman who fakes an entire pregnancy?’ This time the crazy brain whispered, ‘Why not take a Downton Abbey type of world – in terms of fashion, class consciousness, interesting historical time period – and toss zombies into the mix?’ So I ran with it.

Definitely sounds interesting!  Thanks for answering my questions!