Author Blog Hop

 Much thanks to Catriona Crehan at http://www.catrionacrehan.blogspot.com, for inviting me to participate in this blog hop. 

1.What is the working title of your book?

My forthcoming book is called DEAD SILENT and is the second book in the Peter Ainsley mystery series.

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

I started the series after I conceived of an idea about a Victorian doctor who solves mysteries through dissection and exploration of the darker side of Victorian culture. Victorian mysteries are quite popular but I have yet to find an author who tackles the time period as I have.

3: What genre does your book come under?

My main genre is historical mysteries but I am finding as the series progresses (I am currently writing book 3) a bit of romance is making an appearance and changing some of the undertones. It's still dark and mysteries but there is always hope.

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

That is a very tough question. I'd love to see Adrienne Brody playing Ainsley, 

or even Jonathon Rhys Meyers.

Margaret would ideally be played by Anne Hatheway ...

and Jonas, Ainsley's school chum and rival, would be best portrayed by Eliot Cowen (Mr. Darcy in Lost in Austen).

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Peter Ainsley's mother, Lady Charlotte Marshall hasn't been seen or heard from in three days. While Inspector Simms of Scotland Yard is unofficially investigating her disappearance Ainsley is loathed to reveal knowledge of his mother's affair despite it being the best lead to her whereabouts.

6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

I am dedicated to self-publishing the Peter Ainsley mystery series so that the whims of traditional publishers and the fickle book buyers market does not dictate whether the series lives on or ends because of a lull in the market.

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

DEAD SILENT took me seven months to complete with another two to three months for revisions and edits.

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I would love to say my books are similar to Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series but with a darker bent and male point of view.

9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I was inspired by my husband who is quite scientifically minded, and much more versed on the subject than I am. His methodical nature and attention to minute details is what I have base Ainsley's personality on, even his loveable arrogance has roots in my husband. Ainsley's habit for the drink is entirely fictional, but his dedication to the sport of boxing is reminiscent of my husband's progress in the martial art of Aikido.

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Within each book I try to highlight a part of Victorian society that may be consider obscure or lesser known, especially dealing with the Victorian people's obsession with death, spectres and the macabre. It truly is a fascinating time in history where scientific advancement collided with the superstitions of old. It was an age of great change, a gateway into our modern times and I don't foresee me ever running out of interesting things to write about.

Here's blog addresses for other mystery writers who you might like:

Deanna Raybourn http://www.deannaraybourn.com/

Caro Peacock http://www.caropeacock.com/

Rhys Bowen http://rhysbowen.com/

Hallie Ephron http://hallieephron.com/

Anna Lee Huber http://www.annaleehuber.com/

Dara England http://daraenglandauthor.com/

Tasha Alexander http://www.tashaalexander.com/

Dead Silent Cover

The cover for DEAD SILENT has been finalized and I am pretty proud of it.

 I adored my cover for CHORUS OF THE DEAD and for months I agonized about whether I would be able to carry on that theme effectively. My mysteries are not feel good historicals. They highlight the worst of ourselves and the society that the Victorians created. My covers need to reflect the pompous elegance and dark seedy nature that was Victorian London.

The release of DEAD SILENT is only months away. Stay tuned for all the details.

History of the Valentine

Who doesn't love receiving a lovely card or personalized note in the mail? Nothing says you matter like someone taking the time to write out their thoughts and making it decorative.



Did you know the modern idea of the Valentine's card originated in the 1400s. Originally known as 'amorous addresses', the first valentine was penned in 1415 by Charles the Duke of Orleans. Imprisoned in the Tower of London after the Battle of Agincourt, the duke wrote romantic poems for his wife back in France. These hand written valentines can be seen among the royal papers in the British Museum.



Since then the Valentine card morphed to include flower exchanges in the 1700s and then in 1840s there was the introduction of Daguerreotype, a tin type photographic process that showed a picture of a person with an ornamental wreath framing them. The mirror valentine was also popular, which was basically a mirror in the middle of the card reflecting the image of the recipient back at them.



By far my most favourite Valentine's are the ones that originated in Victorian times. Thanks to advances in printing processes, Valentinie's became amazingly popular. Dubbed 'Penny Postcards', because they cost a penny to send the mail, were collected and displayed in Victorian households around Valentine's day. Family and friends who came to call would flip through albums of Valentine's card and sometimes trade Valentine's. Many examples of these Victorian cards remain today simply because of the sheer volume of cards created and because they were stored safely in treasured albums.

What a great way to perk up the dreary month of February!

Historical Mystery Challenge

I've decided to participate in an Historical Mystery Challenge hosted by Ariel over at Mysteries And My Musings.



The premise is simple, read 7 historical mystery novels between February and June and then blog about it.

So here is a list of the some books I'd like to conquer over the next few months.

The Yard, Alex Grecian
Death Comes to Pemberly, P.D. James
The Edinburgh Dead, Bryan Ruckley
The Haunting of Maddy Clare, Simone St. James
Trumpets Sound No More, Jon Redfern
Newes from the Dead, Mary Hooper


I'm open to suggestions as well because I am always looking for a good mystery.

This is going to be hard since I just got a great book in the mail, Victorian London: A Tale of a City 1840-1870 by Liza Picard. Sounds like I have a lot of reading to do.

Trade Paperback Giveaway of CHORUS OF THE DEAD

Soon in trade paperback, Chorus of the Dead is being featured in a GIVEAWAY this week over at my Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/TracyWard.Author

Pop over for the details!

Victorian Farm Christmas Reading 'A Christmas Carol'

Enjoy Christmas? Thank A Victorian

Christmas is not what it use to be. Prior to the Victorian era Christmas was hardly noticed and was a small blip on the average person's calendar. You wouldn't think so the way modern people have made such a show of it but much of the way we celebrate the festive season can be linked back to Victorian England.

We all know (or should know) the Christmas tree was a German tradition brought to England by Prince Albert, who was born and raised in Germany. Dr. Peter Ainsley and the Marshall family would have had a table top tree decked out in small white candles, sweets and small presents. Most decorations were handmade like paper fans and dried apple or orange slices. As the young lady of the house Margaret would have invited friends over to create ornaments and trade gossip.

1843 was the year Victorians first saw the Christmas card. Artist J.C Horsely painted a scene of a family around a dinner table. The card included a Christmas message. Distributed by Henry Cole, each card cost a shilling so it remained out of reach for the average Victorian. The Marshall's, however, would have made sure they gave out some to their closest friends. The sentiment caught on amongst the average and lower classes and soon children and adults alike were making their own cards to send to loved ones and friends.

Gift giving was a well thought out endeavour. Victorians would plan their gifts for others many months in advance. It was believed giving gifts would bring good luck and continued prosperity in the new year. Victorians believed the best gifts were handmade. Needlework and useful items were quite popular.

Christmas dinner was an elaborate affair amongst the higher classes, the Marshall's would have spared no expense while hosting notable people and society elite. The average family would have enjoyed beef on the table Christmas Day, but Ainsley's family could expect goose or chicken. Turkey was not popular in England until the late 19th century. Christmas pudding was a annual tradition. First mixed together on "Stir It Up" Sunday (the Sunday before Advent), Christmas pudding is made of beef, raisins, prune and sugar in a pudding cloth and cooked in a pot, usually with other food. Serving Christmas Pudding was often a dramatic, ceremonious affair, presented at the table by the cook who would receive ohh's and ahh's from those gathered. Decorated with a sprig of holly and a brandy sauce set ablaze, Christmas pudding was a highlight of festivities.

Most of Christmas Time was reserved for visiting with family and friends without a lot of emphasis on presents. Traditions like wassailing (carolling door to door) encouraged interaction between neighbours and offering food like treats.

Traditionally Boxing Day was the first weekday following Christmas and was set aside for charity work. Victorians would place money and gifts in small boxes to give to the servants, trades people or the needy. For the affluent family like the Marshalls, it would be viewed as duty to assist the poor.

Want to learn more about the history of Christmas? Check out Jeri Westerson's blog, http://www.getting-medieval.com/ Jeri writes the Crispin Guest medieval noir series and her blog post is quite informative.