The writer and novelist Ron Base discusses the fourth book in the Priscilla Tempest Mystery Series Curse of The Savoy, which he co-wrote with Prudence Emery who died in April 2024, and more, with Joseph Planta.

Curse of The Savoy by Ron Base and Prudence Emery (Douglas & McIntyre, 2025).

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Curse of The Savoy

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Ron Base joins me again. The former newspaper and magazine journalist and movie critic has just released the fourth book in the Priscilla Tempest Mystery Series, Curse of The Savoy. His co-author Prudence Emery inspired this series as the central character Priscilla Tempest, like Emery worked in the publicity department at London’s famed Savoy Hotel. The luxurious hotel is again the setting of this book, as Prudence finds herself an invited guest to a dinner hosted by filmmaker Orson Welles. It’s a Who’s Who of British society, culture and politics at this dinner: Hitchcock, Mountbatten, Noel Coward, Cary Grant, and the infamous Christine Keeler are amongst the attendees. They number thirteen, and it just so happens there’s an old curse that looms the proceedings, as the first guest who departs a party of thirteen is said to have brought doom to their existence. Well that’s what happens, and soon Priscilla Tempest finds herself at the heart of the intrigue, even drawing the attention of Queen Elizabeth II. I’ll get Ron to tell us about this book and the storied people that find themselves wrapped up in the mystery. A lot of these famed folks are perhaps ones that Ron interviewed, or that Prudence Emery wrangled for journalists like Ron in her heady days working on film sets or at the Savoy. Prudence Emery died last April at the age of 88. She leaves behind a colourful life that she wrote about in her memoir Nanaimo Girl, and which inspired this series with Ron, who I’ll get to reflect on his fabulous friend. Ron Base has written twenty novels, two novellas, and four works of non-fiction. Visit www.ronbase.wordpress.com where he also blogs. I’ll ask him about a recent remembrance I read off there. This new book is published by Douglas & McIntyre. We spoke a week and a half ago with Ron joining me from Milton, Ontario. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Ron Base; Mr. Base, good morning.

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