The following is an interview with Hannah Nicole Maehrer regarding her return to the Assistant to the Villain series through Red Tower Books with the third installment, Accomplice to the Villain. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Maehrer about where readers will find themselves in Evie’s perilous journey, the impact of Evie’s story in connecting with readers, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: This month will see a return to your bestselling Assistant and the Villain series with Accomplice to the Villain. Where will readers find themselves in Evie’s perilous journey?
Hannah Nicole Maehrer: With each installment in the series, Evie sheds another layer of her upbringing that molded her into a relentless people pleaser. With her growing confidence and job promotion, readers will find her more determined then ever to excel at her job and especially excel at villainy in her fearless pursuit of what she wants.
BD: Given that this is the third installment of the series, do you find that you have developed a creative shorthand in giving voice to the characters and story?
HNM: In a way, yes! I think the characters and I evolve together with each book and their voices are so familiar I often feel I know them better then I know myself. It makes it easier to make decisions to cut a sentence here and there during editing, because I know exactly what they would and wouldn’t say.
BD: How do you feel that Evie’s story has connected with and impacted readers, especially in light of the incredible critical and fan response to the series?
HNM: I am blown away, always, by the amount of people that have connected with Evie. To me, she is my touchstone, my safe comfort character to play as or write whenever I am lost in my own feelings. To have that comfort translate to so many others has been incredibly humbling and a delight. I love sharing her with the world and hope she continues to be a comfort to others as she is to me.
BD: Do you have any plans to expand Evie’s story to subsequent books or other entertainment mediums, if given the opportunity?
HNM: I think my mind is always half in the real world and half in Rennedawn, so any opportunity to go back, I’m taking a one-way ticket!
BD: Are there any upcoming projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
HNM: Accomplice to the Villain’s release is so incredibly exciting. Each book becomes my new favorite and my excitement to share it with the world has only grown! I am now getting to share my favorite book in the series, while also jumping back into writing the fourth book. (Which, in and of itself, is a wild ride)
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Accomplice to the Villain and your other work?
HNM: As I said, any excuse to jump back into Rennedawn, I take. So, I’m constantly posting about the series in future books on my TikTok where it all began, and my Instagram (@hannahnicolemae). It’s a way to check in with my characters even when I’m not writing.
