What is the title of your latest release?
My latest release is MURDER AT HADDONFORD MANOR, the first book in the Charlotte Reinford Mysteries series.
What’s the “elevator pitch” for MURDER AT HADDONFORD MANOR?
MURDER AT HADDONFORD MANOR is a classic British-style cozy mystery about Charlotte Reinford, a young woman who leaves the convent where she grew up for a position at a grand country estate. But her new beginning quickly turns dangerous when secrets, lies, and murder disturb the quiet world of Haddonford Manor, drawing Charlotte into a mystery where everyone seems to be hiding something.
How did you decide to start writing a cozy mystery? Did you immediately envision it as a series?
I have loved mysteries since childhood, especially stories with family secrets and questions no one can easily answer. When I began writing MURDER AT HADDONFORD MANOR, I was drawn to the cozy mystery tradition because I wanted to create a story with suspense, atmosphere, character, and a sense of comfort.
At first, I did not think of the book as a series. I simply wanted to tell Charlotte Reinford’s story. But as I continued writing, I realized that Charlotte’s past could not be fully revealed in one book. There were too many secrets surrounding who she was, where she came from, and why she had been left at St. Helen’s as a child. By the time I finished the novel, I knew Charlotte’s story was only beginning.
Would you hang out with your protagonist Charlotte in real life?
Yes, absolutely. Charlotte is honest, genuine, and quietly determined. She notices things others may overlook, draws her own conclusions, and does not judge. She has a way of paying attention to people, to details, and to the truth beneath the surface. I think it would be quite interesting to spend time with her and hear her perspective on the world around us.
Tell us about developing the supporting characters in the novel.
Writing MURDER AT HADDONFORD MANOR felt almost like watching a movie unfold in my mind and trying to write down what I saw. In many ways, the characters did not feel as if I had invented them. They felt as if they already existed in my imagination, waiting for me to notice them.
As I wrote, their personalities, voices, and secrets became clearer. My job was to pay attention to them, understand them, and give them room to come alive on the page.
How did you create Haddonford Manor? Is it based on an actual house? What’s something unexpected you learned while researching and writing MURDER AT HADDONFORD MANOR?
Haddonford Manor is not based on one specific house. It is a fictional place that exists in my imagination, although I did research British manor homes while writing the book. I wanted the house to feel grand and beautiful, but also quiet enough to hold secrets. In many ways, Haddonford Manor became a character of its own.
One unexpected thing I learned while researching MURDER AT HADDONFORD MANOR was connected to chess, which plays an important role in the story. While reading about the history of chess, I came across an old story that the folding chessboard may have been created by a priest who wanted to hide the fact that he was playing chess. I loved that detail because it connected so perfectly to the idea of secrecy, hidden motives, and appearances – all themes that fit naturally into a mystery.
Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I usually edit each chapter as I finish it. Once the entire book is complete, I like to step away from the story for several weeks before returning to it with fresh eyes. That time away helps me create some distance from the characters and the plot, so when I come back, it almost feels as if I am reading the story for the first time.
That is when I notice things I may have missed before – places where the pacing needs to be stronger, a clue needs to be clearer, or a scene needs a little more depth. Of course, even after reading and rereading a manuscript many times, it is still possible to miss something. Writing and editing are both careful processes, but they are also very human ones.
Describe your writing space/office!
I do not have a formal writing office. Now that my daughters are grown and have moved away from home, I sometimes sit at one of their desks when I work on my books. I am very particular about the pens I use when I write by hand and the computer I use when I type, but the space itself matters less to me than having quiet and time alone.
Once I begin writing, I am no longer simply sitting at a desk in my house. I am with Charlotte at Haddonford Manor, following her through the mystery as the story unfolds. In many ways, my writing space is wherever Charlotte’s story takes me.
Who is an author you admire?
Agatha Christie. I have enjoyed her mysteries since childhood and have read almost all of them. Her work helped shape my love of classic mystery fiction and continues to inspire me as a writer.
Is there a book that changed your life?
A book that changed my life is THE THREE MUSKETEERS by Alexandre Dumas. I was fifteen years old when I read it, and I remember becoming completely absorbed in the story and finishing it in just two days. I loved the adventure, but what stayed with me most were the characters – their loyalty, honor, bravery, and devotion to one another. I think that book helped shape my personality and my beliefs, especially the value I place on friendship, honesty, and standing by the people you love.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
These days, my favorite genre to read is mystery, especially classic and cozy mysteries. When I was younger, I read many classics, and I think it would be difficult to find a major classic author I have not read. I loved the works of Thomas Hardy, Oscar Wilde, Victor Hugo, Dante, Molière, Shakespeare, Arthur Conan Doyle, and many others.
One of my favorites was THE MOONSTONE by Wilkie Collins. I remember coming home from high school, opening the book to a random page, and reading it for a while. That became part of my daily routine. Even though I now reach most often for mysteries, my love of reading really began with the classics.
What other genres would you like to explore writing?
I would like to explore historical fiction one day. I began writing a historical novel years ago, when I was still living in Russia. I never finished it, but I kept the manuscript, so perhaps one day I will return to it.
What’s your favorite movie?
I do not really have one favorite movie. What I treasure most are the memories connected to certain films. My Fair Lady will always have a special place in my heart because my eldest daughter, Monica, loved it when she was three years old. We watched it over and over again, and she would dance to the music and sing along with the characters. Because of those memories, the movie means much more to me than the story itself. It reminds me of a sweet and precious time in my life.
What is your favorite season?
My favorite season is fall. There is something deeply nostalgic about it, as if the world is quietly changing before our eyes. Maybe it is the feeling that summer has ended, or the way the leaves turn from green to gold, amber, and brown. Maybe it is the gentle breeze, the crispness in the air, or the quiet touch of melancholy that seems to settle over the season.
Fall feels peaceful to me, but also a little bittersweet. It reminds me to slow down, notice beauty, and appreciate moments before they pass.
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Truthfully, I do not really like to make a big celebration out of my own birthday. I much prefer celebrating my children’s birthdays. For me, my birthday is more of a quiet moment of gratitude — a chance to thank God for another year to enjoy my family, write books, and help others in any way I can.
What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I enjoy reading and watching mysteries, especially cozy mysteries, which is probably one reason I like writing in this genre. I have always admired Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot stories, and I also enjoy shows such as Sister Boniface and Father Brown on BritBox. What draws me most to these stories is that they are engaging but also comforting. There is something warm and familiar about them – the interesting characters, the charming settings, and the feel-good atmosphere. They pull you into the puzzle while still allowing you to relax, and that is exactly the kind of storytelling I enjoy most.
What’s an upcoming tv show/movie/book/podcast you are anticipating?
I do not have one specific upcoming book, show, movie, or podcast I am waiting for at the moment. There is so much content available now that sometimes it feels overwhelming to choose what to read, watch, or listen to next. I want to experience so many things, but there is never enough time for all of them. That is why I always welcome recommendations from others. Sometimes the best discoveries come from someone saying, “I think you would really enjoy this.”
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I am not sure I have one favorite cuisine because I grew up around different food traditions. At my grandmother’s house on my father’s side, we often had traditional Polish dishes. My mother cooked Russian food, and my grandmother on my mother’s side made dishes with a strong Central Asian influence. Because of that, I enjoy many types of food, especially dishes with lots of vegetables, rice, herbs, and rich flavors.
What do you do when you have free time?
In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis. I started six years ago after a friend invited me to join a beginner tennis clinic with her. I decided to try it, and I am so glad I did. Since then, tennis has become something I truly enjoy.
What can readers expect from you next?
I have already submitted my next novel, MURDER AT ASHBOURNE CASTLE, to my publisher. This is Book 2 in the Charlotte Reinford Mysteries series, and I am currently working on Book 3.
MURDER AT HADDONFORD MANOR by Irina McGrath
When Charlotte Reinford accepts her new position as personal assistant to Lady Haddonford, she envisions a peaceful life on the majestic grounds of Haddonford Manor. However, her expectations are shattered by the shocking murder of Rachel Offley, the manor’s beloved cook. Suddenly, every guest and staff member at Haddonford becomes a potential suspect, each harboring their own hidden agendas and secrets. To unravel the mystery and bring the guilty party to justice, Charlotte finds herself navigating a complicated labyrinth of deceit. Will she manage to expose the perpetrator and restore peace to Haddonford, or will the manor’s mysteries remain forever concealed?
Mystery Historical | Mystery Woman Sleuth [ Camel Press, On Sale: January 14, 2026, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781684922741 / eISBN: 9781684922956 ]
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About Irina McGrath
Irina McGrath, Ph.D., was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and immigrated to the United States nearly three decades ago. Since then, she has worked in various educational roles and developed a deep passion for writing. Her novel, Murder at Haddonford Manor, is the first in a series of Charlotte Reinford Mysteries.
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