Hugo in peril.
I always promised myself that I would never do a ‘Hugo in peril’ story, primarily because I’m not a fan of that genre.
I’ve always disliked stories that centre around our protagonist being falsely accused of a crime. I don’t know why, they’re often exciting stories, but I always find myself fast-forwarding to the end to make sure there is a happy resolution!
Fast forward to the planning of the 13th Hugo adventure (don’t get me started on that number. 13? How the heck did that happen??) ‘Hotel Beaupain’ had been brewing for a while. I mean, I’ve been mentioning the building of a hotel in Montgenoux on and off since book 6, so I figured it was about time I put pen to paper.
With the title at hand, my thoughts turned to the cover as it often does even before I write a single word. For the cover, I envisioned a stark room, a building site perhaps, and from that I contacted Maria my marvellous longtime collaborator and between us we managed to concoct what is yet another gorgeous cover.
From that, the story came very quickly. I can’t tell you how exactly (SPOILERS) other than to say that the idea came when I was in the final chapters of another story… My first thought was: can I? Should I?? Well, in the end, I did.
The story begins dramatically and we immediately find Hugo in peril. And then the chapter ends and we are confronted with a horrifying truth. It can’t be true, surely…
I know I’m teasing, but I think it’s a genuine shocker and I hope it will make you want to quickly turn the page. Unfortunately, me being me, the next chapter is a flashback to six months earlier, so you’ll have to keep reading until you get closer to the truth.
One of the great things about the Hugo books is that they allow the narrative to move back and forward in time and to be from the perspective of different characters. It’s a major difference from the Coco books and it allows me the freedom to create a different sort of book.
As horrifying as the revelations are in HB, I think we always know that things are not quite as they seem, but the fact remains someone is doing an awfully good job of destroying Hugo’s life…
As I enter the final stages of HB, my thoughts turn to our next adventure… what will it be?
More soon. Sending you all love. I hope this crazy world is treating you well.
Gx