AN INTERVIEW WITH JEAN G. GOODHIND

JEAN G. GOODHIND: A DEADLY DECEIT

Inspiration for A Claim to Murder

Living on a sailing yacht - or any life off the grid - means no more worrying about bills, no adhering to the normal grind, and, quite frankly, not caring much about any of it.

But what if that life catches up with you? What if you’ve become a bit blasé about the possibility that not everyone is as honest as you? That’s the theme of this crime.

Dreams can lure you into a false sense of security; and can make you vulnerable. Beware of the sharks circling in the day-to-day water of home.

How come you know about hotels and sailing?

My late husband and I had a guest house in Bath. That was a few years back, and then, like Honey and Steve, we sold up and sailed away.

Where did you go? How did you live?

We sailed south until the butter melted, turning 90 degrees to port (left) through the Straits of Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean. We spent our first winter in Nazaré, Portugal. Living was cheap. €240 per month for the mooring, electricity, WiFi, and water. An eye-opener!

The next three winters were spent in Marina di Ragusa, Sicily. The last in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece.

Most summers were spent floating around between the Ionian Islands (Cephalonia, Ithaca, etc.), and the Peloponnese (southern Greece).

Summer and winter were both fun, though in different ways. We were mostly by ourselves in summer, though meeting up with yachting friends. Winter was party time. Oh, and doing repairs and improvements. The boat was not just our home; she was our mother.

What’s the meaning of port and starboard?

On medieval and earlier vessels, the helm (the steering board) was on the right-hand side, which suited most people, seeing as most people are right-handed. However, to prevent this loosely fitted device from damage, a vessel always rafted up to a quay in a port on the left side, i.e. port side.  So, there you have it.