Villain Valediction
by Anne Hagan
Released: Nov 20, 2025
Genre: Mystery
Why this book and why now?
The idea for this book came to me over two years ago and I started writing it. I was about 38,000 words into a first draft when Barbara Winkes approached me about putting together a Sapphic Suspense Collection with all new standalone novellas or 1st in a future series books by multiple authors. I realized the two characters I was creating would be great for a novella for the collection. I set this book aside and created that one, ‘Saving Chiara.’ The collection came out several months ago. I picked this back up, and shifted it to where I left off with the collection book. It’s been great fun creating these two characters and I plan for them to be around for a few books, at least.
What is a significant way your book has changed since either the first draft or the way you thought it would turn out when you first had the inspiration?
This book started out to be the first book in a series and introduced Pax, a PI, and Chiara, a mob boss, to readers while re-introducing themselves to each other after more than 20 years apart. Because a ‘Book 0’ was written for a collection, I had to change this one to pick up where the previous book left off. Instead of Pax trying to save Chiara from being framed for murder and railroaded straight to prison, now they’re trying to figure out if a romance can work between them while Pax tries to solve some major and minor cases.
Do your character names have special significance or meaning?
Pax was named by her father, a devoted fan of the former Pawtucket Red Sox minor league baseball team. An old friend of his coached the team during the early years of his marriage to Pax’s mom and he convinced her to let him name their daughter Pax after the team.
Is there anything you wish readers knew before diving into this book?
Years ago there was an Army Post outside of Ayre, Massachusetts, Fort Devens. I spent several months training there in the mid-80s. Every day that I didn’t have to be on post, I spent in Boston. It remains my favorite city to visit. When I started writing, I knew I would eventually set some books in Boston. While this book and those to follow focus on Pax, who moved herself from Boston to Providence, Rhode Island, we’ll spend lots of time in my very favorite city.
What 3 things would your main character want with them if they got stranded away from civilization, and why?
Pax would want coffee, a pen, and a notepad. She’s old fashioned in that regard. Chiara would want wine, her phone, and the kitchen equipment she needs to cook real food, something Pax almost never gets.
Which character do you relate to the most, and why?
Chiara was the most fun to write. She’s a mob boss by default – her parents didn’t have any sons – and she wants to go legitimate, taking the family ‘business’ away from criminal pursuits. Even though she wants to play on the right side of the law, she has so many tools at her disposal and people with special skills she can call upon, that nothing is ever a problem for her for long.
The hardest character to write was Lenae Harrington, the mother of a victim in the story. I can’t say more than that without giving away some of the story.
If your book had a scent, what would it smell like?
Coffee. It’s something I’m not fond of myself, but my detective is.
If your book had an official mascot, what (or who) would it be?
A bulldog! Pax doesn’t give up and neither does Chiara.
Do you outline your books in detail, or do you prefer to discover the story as you write?
I outline the mysteries in any mystery or suspense novel I write. It’s the only way to keep all the cases and plotlines straight. The romance though – that just flows through a book when and where necessary.
What are you currently reading?
Master Lists for Writers – Gold Edition, newly released by a writer and blogger I’ve followed for years, Bryn Donovan. I keep opening it to random pages and finding interesting ideas I want to use in a story.
