Uncovering the Mystery in Megan Miranda's 'Daughter of Mine': Exclusive Insights

Author Megan Miranda released her latest mystery, Daughter of Mine, on April 9th. The book is filled with unexpected twists, just like her other novels.

Although the story is not based on true events, Miranda drew inspiration from real-life situations. The plot follows Hazel Sharp, the daughter of the sheriff in Mirror Lake. When two cars are found in the town's bodies of water and a drought hits the area, Hazel inherits her childhood home. This causes tension with her brothers, Gage and Caden.

A few years back, I came across stories about the drought affecting Lake Mead in Arizona and Nevada. The water levels were decreasing, revealing long-buried secrets. One story that caught my attention was about a couple renovating their backyard and discovering a buried car. They were unaware of how long it had been there. This made me ponder about the mysteries hidden beneath the surface around us.

In my upcoming book, Daughter of Mine, the protagonist Hazel reaches a similar realization. She is determined not to let her family's secrets, including the truth about her missing mother, remain concealed.

Author Megan Miranda Couldn't Land on a Killer for 'Daughter of Mine’: Book Questions Answered

Megan Miranda. Courtesy of Megan Miranda/Instagram

We sat down with Miranda to discuss the details of Daughter of Mine. She mentioned that choosing the killer for this book was a challenging task.

If you want to know more about Daughter of Mine, continue reading for our questions and Miranda's candid responses - but beware of spoilers!

Megan Miranda shared that in every book she writes, there are always scenes that she finds challenging to write. These are scenes that she anticipates and tries to avoid because she has grown attached to her characters and doesn't want them to face difficult truths. These emotional scenes often involve characters realizing that the past may not be as they believed or that people around them are not who they thought. These moments usually occur towards the end of the book as major revelations. Despite the difficulty, Miranda acknowledged that these scenes were crucial for the development of the character Hazel.

We: There were a few big reveals in the book, Hazel’s parentage being a big one. How do you decide where to place these major moments?

Author Megan Miranda Couldn't Land on a Killer for 'Daughter of Mine’: Book Questions Answered

Megan Miranda follows a general rule when writing, holding back on irrelevant information. She strategically reveals details to provide a new perspective for readers. In one instance, when Hazel returns home for her father's funeral, there is tension surrounding her family. As Hazel confronts the truth that she only became a part of the family at seven years old, the reason for the tension becomes clear.

Megan Miranda always aims for her characters to come around and comprehend each other. She believed that Caden's redemption arc was a possibility in the novel. They grew up as peers, constantly at odds with each other. Their lives were intertwined, causing disruptions, and they struggled to see things from each other's point of view. It took years for them to reflect on their past selves, the challenges they faced, and the hidden secrets they held. Megan Miranda was determined to bring about a resolution to their complex relationship.

Megan Miranda: I didn't come up with Jamie's storyline as a red herring until I was almost done with the first draft. I prefer not knowing how the story will unfold when I begin writing, as it allows me to be surprised and have the freedom to discover the puzzle pieces. This discovery really changed the direction of the whole story for me.

Jamie and Hazel seem to have a missed connection that plays a role in this storyline. Have the women ever met before Jamie went missing?

Megan Miranda shared a post about Hazel missing a message. She is intrigued by the idea of a small step that could have changed the story's course, but was missed. This drives Hazel to search for answers. Miranda always pictured them missing each other to maintain the mystery in the story. The idea haunts Hazel.

Megan Miranda shared that she initially had an idea of who the killer would be in the book, but she changed it multiple times while writing. She eventually circled back to the original idea only at the very end. She mentioned that she usually knows parts of the backstory, such as events that occurred 20 years earlier, but the present storyline remains a mystery to her. This particular plot twist came to her later in the writing process, requiring significant revisions after the first draft. Miranda also hinted that other characters in the protagonist's family initially had more significant roles in the story's outcome, without revealing too much.

Editor's P/S:

Megan Miranda's latest mystery novel, "Daughter of Mine," explores the hidden secrets and tensions within a family. Inspired by real-life events, the story follows Hazel Sharp as she uncovers the truth about her missing mother and the dark secrets lurking beneath the surface of her childhood home. The article provides an intriguing glimpse into Miranda's writing process, revealing the challenges she faced in crafting the plot and choosing the killer.

Miranda's emphasis on unexpected twists and emotional depth adds to the suspense and keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The novel delves into the complexities of family relationships, examining the conflicts between siblings and the bonds that unite them despite their differences. Miranda's ability to create relatable characters and weave a compelling narrative makes "Daughter of Mine" a captivating read that will leave readers pondering the secrets that lie hidden in their own lives.