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Although Takoma Park author Susan Froetschel says her mystery novel "Royal Escape" is not modeled on the life of the late Princess Diana, you don't have to look far to see similarity.

The fictional Elena, Princess of Wales, is married to an unfaithful man, has two sons and yearns to get out of her unhappy marriage — much to the chagrin of her royal in-laws. Elena's position has limited her career, crippled her daily activities and put serious restrictions on what she can say and do in public.

Like Princess Diana, Elena is charitable, fashionable and beautiful, with "cobalt blue eyes" and a look that is at once shy and mischievous.

But reality and fiction part ways with the murder of Elena's highly regarded divorce attorney. The two killers escape from the murder site with the Princess' diary, which is filled with damaging information about her husband, the Prince of Wales.

After a terrorist attack on Elena, the royal family puts her and her sons in seclusion. Arguing that the boys are only really safe away from their mother, royal security keeps them in hiding apart from the Princess. Elena struggles to remain with her sons and escape the many restrictions the Royal family places on her.

"With ‘Royal Escape,' I tried to imagine how a person might feel, going through divorce and walking away from such a powerful family, while also dealing with loyal and disloyal staff, problem in-laws and intrusive paparazzi," Froetschel says.

Froetschel studied journalism at Pennsylvania State University and has worked for several magazines and newspapers. She currently serves as the assistant editor at YaleGlobal Online.

She owes her interest in mysteries to a much-beloved author.

"Like most women mystery authors, I am grateful to the Nancy Drew series," she says. "I loved those books and read them during meals, in the car and when I was supposed to be in bed sleeping. I thought how wonderful it would be to have a life like hers, solving problems and asking questions."

Froetschel has published two previous novels: "Alaska Gray" in 1994 and "Interruptions" 10 years later. Both mysteries mix suspense with policy analysis. All three books have protagonists who are balancing motherhood and activism.

Froetschel says the idea for "Royal Escape" was inspired by the book "Primary Colors: A Novel of Politics" because its author Joe Klein imagined motivation and feelings within a presidential campaign.

"Public figures are on display, but we all know there are deeper stories within certain institutions, whether it's a presidential campaign in the U.S. or the royal family in Great Britain," she observes.

Froetschel is not shy about criticizing modern day monarchies. She says she finds something new each time she rereads "Royal Escape."

"I'm happy that every time I read it, I discover nuances in the institution of monarchy that were not even intentional – and how the system may not be suited for the modern world, setting a poor example for gender, family and social relationships."

"Royal Escape" by Susan Froetschel can be purchased at area Waldenbooks; Borders, 8518 Fenton St., Silver Spring, and The Book Nook, 5606 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, where she will sign copies of the book from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10.