Interviewer:  Welcome to the final interview in the Marlow House Interview Series. Joining us today is our host Danielle Boatman, owner of Marlow House. Also with us is Walt Marlow who also qualifies as host as it was his grandfather who built Marlow House, and it was indirectly through Walt who Danielle inherited the property from. Also with us is Ian Bartley’s golden retriever, Sadie, and Danielle’s cat, Max. Thank you for welcoming me in your home this morning and for allowing me to host these interviews here.

Danielle:  Thank you for doing them. It’s been interesting.

Interviewer:  My first question is for Danielle. Danielle, since moving to Marlow House you have had your share of troubles—however, you have also become a very wealthy woman. It seems as if every time you turn around you’re falling into another pot of money. You act as if you don’t care about the money—as if it is some burden. How do you really feel about it?

Danielle:  To be honest, in the beginning it did feel a little burdensome. But then Chris and I had some discussions about money. As you know, he is far wealthier than I am. And the thing is, while they say money can’t buy happiness—laughter doesn’t put food on the table or pay the doctor bills. Well, not unless you’re a successful comedian.

Interviewer:  What are you saying?

Danielle:  I’m saying those who claim the burden of wealth is somehow greater than the burden of poverty doesn’t have a clue about the real struggles people deal with every day. However, I don’t believe one person needs as much money as I have, which is one reason I’ve been working with Chris’s foundation.

Interviewer:  Walt, how do you feel about Danielle giving away a good share of her fortune?

Walt:  It’s Danielle’s money.

Interviewer:  I remember when Danielle first moved into Marlow House, you didn’t feel that way. You were quite adamant that the Marlow Estate was yours, not hers.

Walt:  True. But Danielle taught me to see things differently. And I’m proud of her. I can’t imagine Angela ever donating any of her money to worthy causes.

Interviewer:  Angela was your wife?

Walt:  Yes. For Angela, money was about her own personal pleasure and gain.

Interviewer:  This brings me to a question for you, Walt. If you had your first life to do over, what would you do differently?

Walt:  For starters, I wouldn’t have married Angela.

Interviewer:  Aside from Angela, is there anything else you regret in your first life?

Walt:  I didn’t have much direction. I didn’t make the world a better place. I didn’t really contribute, build anything. I’d like a chance to do better. 

Interviewer:  I understand you were born in Marlow House. That you were raised by your grandparents. What happened to your parents?

Walt:  They died when I was young. My mother died first, and my father passed away a few months later.

Interviewer:  Do you remember them?

Walt:  Yes.

Interviewer:  How did they die?

Walt:  Can we talk about something else, please?

Danielle:  I’m sure the readers have a question for Sadie or Max!

Interviewer:  Umm…yes…one of our readers wanted to know how Sadie really feels about Lily. I know some dogs aren’t always thrilled when their human becomes close with another human like Ian and Lily have become.

Danielle:  Walt, can you play interpreter?

Walt:  Sadie loves Lily and she has no problem with her place in Ian’s life. In fact, Lily tends to spoil her where Ian has always been a little strict—loving but strict—human companion. Lily tends to let the rules slide, like slipping Sadie treats when Ian isn’t looking or letting her up on the furniture.

Interviewer:  Okay, this question is for Max. Max, I understand cats often pick out their humans. You picked out Danielle. Now that you have settled in, do you consider this your forever home, or do you see yourself moving on again in the future?

Walt:  (laughs) Sorry, but Max thinks that’s a stupid question. And no, he’s not planning to go anywhere.

Interviewer:  Okay, then I’ll ask you another question, Walt. You died in 1925, in the midst of the Roaring Twenties. I know you’ve made comments to Danielle about how different it is now—perhaps more morally lax than it was back then. How different do you really think the world is today?

Walt:  Danielle likes to remind me I lived during the Roaring Twenties. Of course, we didn’t call it that back then. And what I’ve seen of the world today is mostly what I’ve witnessed in this house—or on the television. I’m not really sure what I see on television is an accurate depiction of the world now.

Interviewer:  Well, with what you have seen, do you feel the world is…well…more morally lax now? 

Walt:  (laughs) People haven’t changed. Not really. It’s just that what people did behind closed doors back then, they’re more open about now. So perhaps in some ways, we might say people are more honest today. Or, maybe they just no longer care what other people think. 

Interviewer:  One complaint I hear about society is that we are less civil today. From your experiences so far, do you see that?

Walt:  I suppose it depends on how you define civility. I have to ask, was it civil when many of the good people of Frederickport shunned Kathrine O’Malley because she had a child out of wedlock? Today most people don’t even bat an eye over an unmarried mother. At least, not from what I’ve seen so far.

Interviewer:  This next question is for Danielle. It’s one several readers asked. Danielle, considering your wealth, why are you still running a B and B, letting strangers into your home, cooking for them?

Danielle:  You sound like Joe. And I don’t do all the cooking. Joanne cooks a lot. 

Interviewer:  Yes, but you do most of the baking.

Danielle:  True.

Interviewer:  So why do you still run the B and B when you could basically do whatever you want. 

Danielle:   You just said it. I can do whatever I want. I want to run a B and B. That never changed just because I inherited more money.

Interviewer:  There is nothing else you would rather do? Travel perhaps?

Danielle:   I’ve actually done a lot of traveling. During the summers in college I would take road trips, see more of our country.  I’ve been to Europe. After I married, Lucas and I traveled a lot. In fact, that’s what inspired my desire to open a B and B in the first place. It was actually my dream before I ever inherited Marlow House.

Interviewer:   What about your marketing business? I understand you have a degree in marketing.

Danielle:   Yes. But I always thought it would be interesting to open a B and B, a place where I could meet people from all over the world. Sort of like traveling, but they would come to me, and I wouldn’t have to keep packing and unpacking, and I could sleep in my own bed. (laughs)

Interviewer:  Did your late husband share your dream?

Danielle:  Lucas? No. Not at all. He thought it was a silly idea. His dream was the marketing firm.

Interviewer:  So basically, you are living your dream now?

Danielle:  I suppose you could say that.

Interviewer:  This last question is for the both of you—Danielle and Walt. What do you see in your future.

Danielle:  As you know I see spirits, I can’t predict the future. So, I suppose, you will just have to keep reading the books.

Interviewer:  Walt?

Walt:  I see a grand adventure.

Interviewer:  Well, that wraps up the Marlow House Interview Series. Perhaps we can do another one in the future. If you have a question for a future interview of your favorite—or maybe less favorite Haunting Danielle character, you can send your question to bobbi@robeth.com.

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

2 comments on “The Marlow House Interview Series with Walt and Danielle

  1. Karen Dickey

    Great interview series. I just love Danielle & Walt! I hope you have this again I’ll just have to think of some questions to ask someone. I can’t wait for your next book coming in August to see what’s in store for Marlow House & it’s people of Frederickport!!

Leave a Reply to Bobbi HolmesCancel reply