ALL OF IT Podcast Summary: "Beach Reads: Laura Lippman's 'Murder Takes a Vacation'"
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Laura Lippman, Award-Winning Author
Release Date: July 7, 2025
Episode Focus: Discussion of Laura Lippman's latest novel, "Murder Takes a Vacation"
Introduction to Laura Lippman and Her Latest Work
Alison Stewart welcomes listeners to the "ALL OF IT" podcast on WNYC, introducing Laura Lippman as an internationally bestselling and award-winning author renowned for her Tess Moynihan series. In her latest novel, "Murder Takes a Vacation," Lippman shifts focus to Muriel Blossom, a character who previously served as Tess’s assistant.
Key Points:
- Muriel Blossom: Transitioned from a minor character in previous works to the protagonist in this novel.
- Plot Overview: Muriel, in her late 60s, receives a lottery windfall and decides to embark on a river cruise in Paris. At the airport, she meets Alan, a charming man whose excessive niceness raises her suspicions. Despite warnings about potential fortune hunters, Muriel's trusting nature leads her into a complex web involving art theft and personal reinvention during her vacation.
Notable Quote:
"Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones, and a million other things."
(Podcast Information Section)
Transitioning Muriel Blossom to the Lead Character
Alison Stewart probes Laura Lippman on her decision to elevate Muriel Blossom from an assistant to the main character.
Key Points:
- Character Development: Lippman felt the need to give Muriel more depth after receiving feedback about ageism in her initial portrayal.
- Personal Connection: Lippman mentions her own age and recent life changes (divorce) as inspirations, aligning her experiences with Muriel's journey as a widow navigating life in her 60s.
Notable Quote:
"I'm almost as old as she is. So I think I enjoyed the challenge of writing about someone who is more or less my age in not the same circumstances but somewhat similar circumstances."
(02:05)
Inspiration Behind the Mystery and Art Heist Plot
Alison Stewart delves into the inspiration behind the book's central mystery involving art theft.
Key Points:
- Cinematic Influence: Lippman cites the film "Charade" as a significant influence, relating to the pursuit of a mysterious object.
- Museum Experience: As a docent at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, Lippman’s involvement with museums fueled her interest in art provenance and ethical ownership, shaping the novel’s narrative.
Notable Quote:
"I noticed, probably felt like around 2020, more and more stories about items in either museums or people's private collections that had really kinky provenance."
(03:06)
The Role of a Docent and Personal Fulfillment
Lippman discusses her role as a docent and its impact on her life and writing.
Key Points:
- Personal Satisfaction: Being a docent provides her with immense joy and serves as a source of inspiration for her creative work.
- Balancing Life: She balances her role with her responsibilities as a mother to a teenage daughter, embracing an active and fulfilling lifestyle.
Notable Quote:
"I'm living my best old lady life. I travel a lot. I'm a docent. I spend a lot of time in New York going to theater."
(04:14)
Balancing Mystery with Themes of Womanhood and Personal Growth
Alison Stewart explores how Lippman integrates broader themes such as womanhood and personal growth into the mystery framework of the novel.
Key Points:
- Genre Challenges: Writing a cozy mystery presented unique challenges compared to Lippman's experience with hardboiled noir, particularly in maintaining suspense without excessive violence.
- Character Depth: Muriel’s journey is not just about solving a mystery but also about her personal evolution—embracing her role as the protagonist and overcoming insecurities related to her appearance and past.
Notable Quotes:
"It's a self-contained world and you just can't rely on an unexpected episode of violence to keep the story going."
(05:09)
"She's learning to be the main character."
(06:49)
Exploration of Friendship and Longevity
The conversation shifts to the theme of long-term friendships, inspired by Muriel’s relationship with Eleanor in the novel.
Key Points:
- Real-life Reflections: Lippman shares her personal experiences with maintaining a long-term friendship despite life’s challenges, highlighting the importance of kindness and loyalty.
- Friendship vs. Romance: She emphasizes that, especially in later life, friendships may hold more significance than romantic relationships, a theme reflected in her character’s development.
Notable Quotes:
"Friendship is, in the end, more important to Mrs. Blossom than romance."
(11:14)
"I really do think friendship might be more important than romance."
(11:14)
Character Vulnerability and Personal Secrets
Lippman delves into Muriel’s internal struggles and her journey toward self-acceptance.
Key Points:
- Vulnerability: Muriel’s honesty and openness make her vulnerable to deception and exploitation, creating tension in the narrative.
- Personal Secrets: A significant subplot involves Muriel grappling with a deep-seated secret, adding a layer of psychological complexity to the mystery.
Notable Quotes:
"The bigger mystery in the book is what is the secret that she's carrying with her."
(08:41)
"The book ends with her finally finding someone that she can talk to about the worst thing she ever did."
(08:41)
Representation of Age and Self-Perception
Alison Stewart inquires about Lippman’s approach to portraying a woman in her late 60s.
Key Points:
- Age Representation: Lippman strives to depict Muriel as vibrant and active, challenging societal notions of aging.
- Personal Identity: She relates personally to Muriel, emphasizing that age doesn't confine one's identity or opportunities.
Notable Quotes:
"I don’t think we’re ever old to ourselves."
(12:42)
"There's no reason for life to narrow in our 60s and 70s."
(14:12)
Impact of Widowhood and Starting Anew
The discussion touches on the challenges Muriel faces as a widow trying to redefine her life.
Key Points:
- Life Transition: Muriel is presented with a "blank page" as her traditional role as a caretaker ends, prompting her to explore new facets of her identity.
- Inspirational Figures: Lippman draws inspiration from her own mother's active and socially engaged life after widowhood, illustrating the potential for personal growth and new beginnings.
Notable Quotes:
"She’s kind of presented with a blank page, like, who are you going to be now?"
(14:31)
"My mom was really living her best life."
(17:35)
Literary Excerpt and Character Insight
Alison Stewart requests Lippman to read an excerpt, providing deeper insight into Muriel’s character and struggles with body image.
Key Points:
- Body Positivity: The excerpt reveals Muriel's frustration with societal expectations regarding her size and her journey toward self-acceptance.
- Emotional Depth: This moment underscores Muriel’s internal conflict and sets the stage for her personal transformation.
Notable Quote from Excerpt:
"Because in grade school, people have told me what a pretty face I have and talked about my dainty hands and feet as if I didn't know what that was code for."
(18:53)
Author’s Reflection on Body Image and Terminology
Post-reading, Lippman expands on her intentional use of the term "fat" in the narrative to promote an objective and unprejudiced view of body size.
Key Points:
- Terminology Choice: Lippman consciously chooses "fat" to challenge its negative connotations and advocate for its neutral use.
- Cultural Commentary: She highlights the societal biases and personal struggles associated with body image, aiming to foster empathy and understanding through her character.
Notable Quotes:
"I wanted to write a book about a woman who is comfortable in her own skin but knows the culture at large doesn't approve of what she looks like."
(20:30)
Summer Reading Recommendations
In the final segment, Laura Lippman shares her top five book recommendations for a summer reading challenge, encompassing a mix of classics, contemporary novels, and YA fiction.
Recommended Books:
- "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
- A classic of American literature focusing on a young girl's coming-of-age in Brooklyn.
- "Emma who Saved My Life" by Wilton Barnhart
- A humorous novel set in the '70s and '80s about a young man's pursuit of an acting career and love.
- "Lorne" by Susan Morrison
- A smart, well-structured book with excellent reporting.
- "Careless People" by Sarah Wynn Williams (Published in 2025)
- An exposé on Facebook and the inner workings of social media platforms.
- "Rabbit and Juliet" by Rebecca Stafford
- A YA debut addressing the challenges girls face, including a blurbed endorsement from Lippman.
Notable Quote:
"Friendship, friendship is, in the end, more important to Mrs. Blossom than romance."
(11:14 - relating to recommendation for depth in relationships)
Conclusion
Alison Stewart wraps up the discussion by thanking Laura Lippman for her insights into "Murder Takes a Vacation" and her thoughtful summer reading selections. The episode provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of Lippman’s latest work, the evolution of her characters, and the thematic depth she explores through her storytelling.
Note: This summary excludes advertisements, introductions, and outros, focusing solely on the substantive content of the podcast episode.