A LOVE LETTER TO PALM BEACH

BY JAYNE CHASE

PALM BEACH resident and author Deborah Goodrich Royce’s third novel, Reef Road, captures the true essence of island’s lifestyle, neighborhoods, and surroundings that make it one of the most desirable places to live. During the pandemic, Royce was able to explore every inch of the area on foot and bicycle as she began researching and writing her novel. Now available in bookstores and on Amazon books, Reef Road is a page-turning, plot-driven thriller not to be missed. I recently sat down with the author to discuss her love of Palm Beach and why she chose to set the scene of her new book here.

Jayne Chase: What compelled you to “set the scene” of Reef Road in Palm Beach?

Deborah Goodrich Royce: Well, I was here researching and writing in the spring of 2020. We were all grounded where we were and I was grounded here. It just felt like a compelling place for a thriller and I think most people are always intrigued by what goes on beneath the surface and even more so in a place like Palm Beach, which is particularly beautiful, glamourous, and coveted. It’s why people like to watch soap operas they want to see the lives of beautiful people having the same problems as the rest of us. I was also influenced by Body Heat, the film noir featuring the late Bill Hurt and Kathleen Turner, which I re-watched. It was filmed in Lantana, just south of Palm Beach. The steamy, seedy underbelly of that setting invoked a certain feeling. I also like to write about real places. I’m one of those readers who jumps in my chair when someone is describing a place I know, like The Russian Tea Room in New York, for example. I jump because I’ve been there and know what it looks like. Same with a place like Palm Beach.

JC: I’m the same way. It ransports the reader there immediately.

DGR: Exactly. For me as a writer, it’s everything. Some novelists successfully write about fictious places or fictionalize real places, but I like writing about real places I know.

JC: What did you learn about Palm Beach while writing the book that you didn’t know before?

DGR: I learned a number of things. My writer character was a bit obsessive so I went down some research rabbit holes. I learned of a crazy murder story about the people who live in the “Ham & Cheese” house on South Ocean Blvd and why they call it that, originating from the layers of coquina stone and red brick. I also came to better understand the segments and neighborhoods of Palm Beach. It’s not a monolith. If you think Rodeo Drive and Worth Avenue, you have a whole picture of wealth and opulence, yet not all of Beverly Hills is that and neither is Palm Beach. I think people like to dig into that a little bit! And finally, I learned that the North End is more residential and filled with families raising their children, so when I began writing, I chose that neighborhood for my young mother. I picked a particular pre-school in West Palm Beach where her children attended, included trips to Amici market, croissants at Blue Provence, and vegetable drinks Celis market; all real places that are touchpoints in daily life here.

JC: We all love living in Palm Beach. Can you tell us what you love about it?

DGR: My book is a real love letter to Palm Beach. My husband and I started in Delray, which we love, but we kept gravitating toward Palm Beach. To me, it is the perfect “indoor-outdoor” lifestyle with all the restaurants and vias, and I’m able to walk almost everywhere. It feels European and the convenience of being able to walk almost everywhere really appeals to me. It isn’t really a village but a perfect blend and satisfies many aspects of life. It is a very magical setting and I hope my love for it comes through!

JC: So, what’s next? Do you have a fourth book planned?

DGR: Yes. In my next book I’m exploring memory. There will be many twists in this new plot surrounding a woman’s memory as she receives a letter from a man she can’t remember at all. Is it her memory that is flawed, is he someone she knew in her past, or is there something mysterious going? What does he want with her?

JC: Wow! It sounds so good - hurry up and write! Your fans, including all of us at Quest, will be waiting! ◆

1

ANNIVERSARY GALA

The Kravis Center of Performing Arts will host its 20th anniversary gala featuring Sarah McLachlan in West Palm Beach at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit kravis.org.

2

SHOP THE DAY AWAY

Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope will hold its annual Shop the Day Away event at The Breakers in Palm Beach. Laura Moore Tanne, Michelle King Robson, and Jacqui Michel, chairwomen. For more information, call 561.748.7227.

3

ISLAND PRESERVATION

The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach will host its annual dinner dance at Bradley Park at 7 p.m., by invitation only. Marking its 41st year this season, the Preservation Foundation’s dinner dance brings together Palm Beach society to celebrate the island’s iconic architecture and natural beauty. The upcoming event has added excitement as we recall the glamour of the 1920s with design impresario Ken Fulk and welcome a new Golden

Age of Palm Beach. For more information, call 561.832.0731, ext. 107, or email lclyman@ palmbeachpreservation.org.

6

LEADERSHIP DINNER

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will hold its Leadership

Celebration Dinner at The Breakers in Palm Beach, by invitation only. As part of The Dana-Farber Campaign, the organization is inviting the Palm Beach community to help it defy cancer and raise $60 million to ensure that the momentum accelerates in every way. The evening will celebrate reaching this goal and recognize leadership donors of $50K or more in total giving since October 1, 2017, the start of the campaign. For more information, visit dana-farber.org.

13

MAJOR DONOR DINNER

The Promise Fund of Florida will host its Major Donor Dinner and Award Celebration at Club Colette in Palm Beach, by invitation. For more information, visit promisefundofflorida.org.

14

OPERA GUILD

The Palm Beach Opera Guild will hold its 21st Annual Luncheon and Opera Interlude with unique boutique shopping and an auction at The Four Seasons in Palm Beach. For more information, call 561.835.7569 or visit pboperaguild.org.

On March 3rd, the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach will host its annual dinner dance at Bradley Park at 7 p.m. For more information, call 561.832.0731, ext. 107, or email lclyman@palmbeachpreservation.org.

16

FELLOWSHIP DINNER

Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians and Jews will host its annual Fellowship Dinner and 30th Anniversary Celebration at The Breakers at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 561.833.6150.

SAINT PATRICK DINNER

The Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick will hold its Anniversary Dinner celebrating the 239th year of the organization at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. There will be a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. For more information, call 212.269.1770 or email jackie@friendlysonsnyc.com.

17

GEM AWARDS

The GEM Awards, presented by Jewelers of America, is one of the jewelry industry’s most celebrated awards galas, honoring the achievements of individuals and companies whose work raises the visibility of fine jewelry and watches. This year’s edition will take place at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit gemawards. jewelers.org.

18

RED CROSS BALL

American Red Cross will hold its 62nd International Red Cross Ball at The Breakers in Palm Beach to celebrate the work of the organization and its historic partnership with the U.S. Armed Forces. American Red Cross is known for alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies. For information regarding tickets or sponsorships, contact Eric Roby at 561.851.3439 or SouthFloridaRSVP@redcross. org or Lily Holt Dillon at 561. 308.3919 or lilyholtinc@gmail.com.

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MORSELIFE GOLF

Morselife Health will host its annual Golf Classic at the Ocean Course at The Breakers in Palm Beach. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit mlevents.org.

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WHITE HOT NIGHT

Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti (HAS) will host its “White Hot Night” gala at The Sailfish Club in Palm Beach, by invitation. For more information, visit hashaiti.org.

April 1

WATCHES & WONDERS

Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation will hold its 2023 convention in Switzerland. Watches and Wonders promotes watchmaking excellence throughout the world. The event will feature in-person watch and jewelery exhibitions. Participating brands include Cartier, Chanel, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Laurent Ferrier, Patek Philippe, Piaget, TAG Heuer, and more. For more information, visit watchesandwonders.com.

2

Memorial Polo

Hôpital Albert Schweitzer

Haiti (HAS) will host its 2nd annual Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial Polo at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington at 4 p.m. For more information, visit hashaiti.org.

On March 18th, American Red Cross will host its 62nd International Red Cross Ball at The Breakers in Palm Beach. For more information, contact Eric Roby at 561.851.3439 or SouthFloridaRSVP@redcross.org, or Lily Holt Dillon at 561.308.3919 or lilyholtinc@gmail.com.