Jan Gangsei
Author Interview - Jan Gangsei
Author of Dead Below Deck
When an heiress disappears from her superyacht and security footage shows her getting pushed overboard, the main suspect has to prove her innocence in this thrilling mystery at sea told in reverse chronological order, perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Genuine Fraud.
Author Interview - Jan Gangsei
Author I draw inspiration from:
This is very hard to narrow down! There are so many authors I love and whose work I admire, I wouldn't even know where to start. So, I'll pick one of my all-time favorite novels: The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. Love the depiction of NYC high society during the "Gilded Age" of the late 19th century and oh, THAT ENDING (which no doubt influenced my love of story endings that are open to interpretation!).
Author Interview - Jan Gangsei | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
Everywhere! But, if I had to pick *one* place it would be sitting on the deck of my family's lake house in northern Vermont, watching the ducks & listening to the creak of the dock and the water lapping against the rocky shoreline.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Sticking with my first answer, I'll say Newland Archer of The Age of Innocence, mainly so I can corner him and talk some sense into him!
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
It sounds cliche, but I've wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember. In fact, I still have the very first "book" I wrote as a preschooler (made with construction paper and rubber stamps, with the text dictated to my mom because I couldn't read or write yet :).
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
I love books in all formats! But I mainly read ebooks on my phone because I like the portability and being able to have a book on me at all times.
The last book I read:
I recently finished One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware. Ruth's books never disappoint, and I really enjoyed this psychological thriller about five couples who travel to a remote island to film a reality show and wind up stranded (with a killer, of course!). Getting ready to read Under the Surface by Diana Urban next, which is about a group of teens stuck in the Paris catacombs (with a killer, of course!). Hmm, sensing a theme to my recent reading here... safe to say I do love a good locked room thriller!
Author Interview - Jan Gangsei | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
Computer, all the way -- though I will often print a manuscript once it's complete and go through it and make handwritten notes. I also have several pages of notes and random thoughts about various works-in-progress saved on my phone. But all of my drafting is done on computer.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Might as well round this out and go with Countess Ellen Olenska of The Age of Innocence. I love her strong spirit, independence, intelligence, loyalty, and willingness to stand by her friends.
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
Probably a journalist again or maybe a psychologist (I've always been fascinated by people and what makes them tick!). Then again, my husband always says I "missed my calling" as an intelligence agent, so maybe I'd be a spy (using "author" as my cover ;).
Favorite decade in fashion history:
I'd have to go with the 1930s and 40s Hollywood Glam era of fashion with its form-fitting floor length gowns, high waist pants, bias cuts, long hair and fabulous jewelry.
Place I’d most like to travel:
The Amalfi Coast of Italy -- I am not really a "beach" person (ten minutes in the sun and I'm a lobster!), but I'm enchanted by images of the Amalfi Coast's cliffside towns overlooking the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea. A plate of pasta, glass of Italian wine, and a view of the water sounds heavenly!
My signature drink:
I do love a bubbly glass of Prosecco. But my main go-to drink is a nice cool glass of water with no ice. Pelligrino if I'm feeling fancy!
Favorite artist:
My grandmother! She was an incredibly talented artist who could paint, draw, needlepoint, crochet, knit... you name it. I love that she lives on in the paintings that hang in my home.
Number one on my bucket list:
Not so much a bucket list item, but a pie-in-the-sky dream would be to cruise on a yacht like Giselle's in Dead Below Deck (maybe along the Amalfi Coast if I'm *really* dreaming big!) -- but without anyone being shoved overboard, of course!
Find more from the author:
X, Instagram and Threads: @jangangsei
About Jan Gangsei:
Author Interview - Jan Gangsei
Jan Gangsei is the author of several projects for young readers. After graduating from the University of Vermont with degrees in political science and English, Jan began her career as a journalist and photographer. She lives in northern Virginia with her family, where she writes full-time with her rescue pup, Willie, curled at her side.
