This new edition of How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries is the author's personal take on writing historical mysteries, based on over forty years in print as a writer of fiction and nonfiction and the publication of eighteen of her historical mysteries and two collections of historical mystery short stories. Her experiences are the core of the book. The remainder of the text consists of contributions from fellow historical mystery writers--advice, opinions, anecdotes, and suggestions for research--and input from assorted editors, booksellers, reviewers, and historical mystery fans. The first edition of How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries won the Agatha award for best mystery nonfiction of 2008 and was nominated in that category for the Anthony and Macavity awards. Reviewer Marv Lachman, in Deadly Pleasures, described it as "the best book about writing mysteries that I have ever read." Whether you are an old hand at writing historical mysteries, or a neophyte who has only dreamed about delving into the past, or a reader and fan of the genre, you will find this volume both inspiring and entertaining.
Writing is all about creating an experience for the reader. Whether you're giving them a brain-teasing puzzle or an adrenaline-soaked emotional roller coaster-ride, this book helps you shape your fiction to create maximum enjoyment for your readers. Now you can learn the craft directly from one of the most respected contemporary writers in the field, Carolyn What, winner of multitudinous awards and nominations. What knows what editors want, and shows you how to achieve your writing an publishing goals. How To Write Killer Fiction is a handbook that no writer of mystery or suspense can afford to be without.
Former lovers become reluctant allies in this delightfully witty historical rom-com from the bestselling author of A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem—for fans of Evie Dunmore, Enola Holmes, and Netflix's Bridgerton! England, 1867: As half of the writing duo behind England’s most infamous crime column, Miss Caroline Hardcastle has quite the scandalous reputation. It may have cost her a fiancé, but she would much rather bring attention to crimes against those ignored by society than worry about what the ton thinks of her. After Caro’s dear friend is kidnapped, however, she has no choice but to work with Lord Valentine Thorn, the same man who broke her heart. Worse, when her actions put her father’s business at risk, a marriage of convenience may be her only solution . . . but can she trust Val to stand by her? Or will their past repeat itself? Val—the new Viscount Wrackham—is in an untenable position: His father is demanding he find a respectable bride to secure the succession. Yet the only woman he’s ever loved, Miss Caroline Hardcastle, is notorious for behaving improperly. And she’s never forgiven him for his youthful transgressions, missteps made in the name of familial duty, but ones he still regrets to this day. As they grow closer to unmasking the culprit, Val sees an opportunity to show Caro he’s a changed man. But can he convince her to give their love a second chance—before death does them part?
The core of the book is Emerson's personal take on writing and selling historical mysteries, but it also includes contributions from over forty other historical mystery writers practical advice, anecdotes, and suggestions for research and input from assorted editors, booksellers, and reviewers. For both historical mystery writers and readers.This book embodies its subtitle: The Art & Adventure of Sleuthing Through the Past. Veteran author Emerson published her first mystery twenty-three years ago, and this is her thirty-sixth published book. It draws on her experience in researching, writing, selling, and sustaining both her Lady Appleton series (Elizabethan England) and her Diana Spaulding series (1880s U.S.). This unique reference book also includes the contributions of more than forty other historical mystery writers. Their books backgrounds and settings are as diverse as Ancient Egypt and Rome, antebellum New Orleans, early Constantinople, Jazz Age England and Australia, Depression-era California, turn-of-the-century New York, Victorian England, and eighteenth-century Venice.
Seven unsolved homicides. Can they prevent the next? Traumatized after witnessing her relative's murder live on video chat, Secret Service agent Naomi Lincoln makes the long trip home for the funeral. Years ago she left boyfriend Dylan Hester brokenhearted, but now she must work with the handsome detective to investigate a string of murders and bring the criminal to justice. Putting aside the attraction that never went away will be difficult enough. But capturing the elusive Violet Killer, especially once he sets his sights on Naomi, will be the greatest challenge of their professional—and personal—lives. From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served. Discover more action-packed stories in theseries. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order:
"When Grace Hansen finds a box belonging to her beloved grandfather, she has no idea it holds the key to his past--and to long-buried family secrets. In the box are his World War I diaries and a cryptic note addressed to her. Determined to solve her grandfather's puzzle, Grace follows his diary entries across towns and battle sites in northern France, where she becomes increasingly drawn to a charming French man--and suddenly aware that someone is following her... Through her grandfather's vivid writing and Grace's own travels, a picture emerges of a man very unlike the one who raised her: one who watched countless friends and loved ones die horrifically in battle; one who lived a life of regret. But her grandfather wasn't the only one harboring secrets, and the more Grace learns about her family, the less she thinks she can trust them."--Page 4 of cover.
Paris 1870. Raised for a life of parties and servants, Camille and Mariele have much in common, but it takes the horrors of war to bring them together to fight for the city and people they love. The story of two women whose families were caught up in the defense of Paris is deeply moving and suspenseful ~~ Margaret George, author of Splendor Before the Dark: A Novel of the Emperor Nero Tod is not only a good historian, but also an accomplished writer … a gripping, well-limned picture of a time and a place that provide universal lessons ~~ Kirkus Reviews. A few weeks after the abdication of Napoleon III, the Prussian army lays siege to Paris. Camille Noisette, the daughter of a wealthy family, volunteers to nurse wounded soldiers and agrees to spy on a group of radicals plotting to overthrow the French government. Her future sister-in-law, Mariele de Crécy, is appalled by the gaps between rich and poor. She volunteers to look after destitute children whose families can barely afford to eat. Somehow, Camille and Mariele must find the courage and strength to endure months of devastating siege, bloody civil war, and great personal risk. Through it all, an unexpected friendship grows between the two women, as they face the destruction of Paris and discover that in war women have as much to fight for as men. War has a way of teaching lessons—if only Camille and Mariele can survive long enough to learn them. M.K. Tod's elegant style and uncanny eye for time and place again shine through in her riveting new tale, Paris in Ruins ~~ Jeffrey K. Walker author of No Hero’s Welcome
"Fans of true-crime murder mysteries won't want to miss this one."—Booklist, STARRED Review on The Perfect Place to Die It's 1918, WW1 is in full swing, and a Spanish Influenza outbreak is on the horizon. In the midst of the chaos, families are being terrorized and people are being killed by a lone man with an axe. As Gianna and her friend Enzo investigate the heinous crimes, she realizes she's connected to the killer in a way she could have never imagined. Gianna is the average seventeen-year-old girl living in 1918 New Orleans. She worries about her family's store, the great war, and a mysterious illness that's about to take hold of the city she loves. It doesn't help that there also appears to be a mad man on the loose in her neighborhood. The attacks started as burglaries but soon escalate to cold blooded murder. There's a killer out there, and the police can't seem to figure out how to stop him. Gianna enlists the help of her friend Enzo to investigate. And as they study the crimes, they see a common link between the victims, and Gianna can't help but wonder if it's the same man who attacked her family years before. As Gianna gets closer to the killer, she discovers a connection between them that she never would have suspected.
Two wars, two affairs, one marriage. In October 1935, Edward Jamieson's memories of war and a passionate love affair resurface when an invitation to a WWI memorial ceremony arrives. Though reluctant to visit the scenes of horror he has spent years trying to forget, Edward succumbs to the unlikely possibility of discovering what happened to Helene Noisette, the woman he once pledged to marry. Travelling through the French countryside with his wife Ann, Edward sees nothing but reminders of war. After a chance encounter with Helene at the dedication ceremony, Edward's past puts his present life in jeopardy. When WWII erupts a few years later, Edward is quickly caught up in the world of training espionage agents, while Ann counsels grieving women and copes with the daily threats facing those she loves. And once again, secrets and war threaten the bonds of marriage. With events unfolding in France, England and Canada, UNRAVELLED is a compelling novel of love, duty and sacrifice set amongst the turmoil of two world wars. Praise for Unravelled “M. K. Tod’s skilful debut novel spanning two world wars deftly illuminates the subtle stirrings of the human heart as movingly as it depicts the horrors of battle. Poignant and generous, Unravelled gives us Edward, scarred by war, and Ann, alive with longing, two people bound by the heartbreaking bonds of a marriage forged in the crucible of secrets and war.” - Barbara Kyle, author of Blood Between Queens. “A compulsive and convincing read: a story of webs that were innocently woven - and lives that subsequently become unravelled.” - Helen Hollick, author of historical fiction and historical adventure. “An engrossing historical saga. With narrative insight, compassion, and a strong sense of time and place, M.K. Tod observes the inner workings of a marriage as it’s affected by the uncertainty and tumult of both world wars. - Sarah Johnson, Historical Novel Society Book Review Editor. “Wartime relationships have always been compelling reading and M.K. Tod’s Unravelled beautifully evokes an era of heightened tension in which her characters decisions become all the more heart-rending. A well researched and very enjoyable book.” - Anne Easter Smith, author of A Rose for the Crown and Royal Mistress. “A beartiful rendering of the healing journey of two war torn hearts. - Elisabeth Stoors, author of The Golden Dice and The Wedding Shroud. "A sweeping story of love and war with much of the style of Brief Encounter and the passionate intensity of Birdsong. The novel moves from poignant reminiscence, to the carnage of the trenches, to the unravelling of life and memory when a former Canadian serviceman involved in the battle for Vimy Ridge reflects on the loss of his comrades and is caught up again in the romance that saved his sanity. Told from the perspective of his wife, the slide into another world war tests the bonds of their marriage to the limit." - Jenny Barden, author of Mistress of the Sea.
In May 1914, Helene Noisette’s father believes war is imminent. Convinced Germany will head straight for Paris, he sends his wife, daughter, mother and younger son to Beaufort, a small village in northern France. But when war erupts two months later, the German army invades neutral Belgium, sweeping south towards Paris. And by the end of September, Beaufort is less than twenty miles from the front. During the years that follow, with the rumbling of guns ever present in the distance, three generations of women come together to cope with deprivation, fear and the dreadful impacts of war. In 1917, Helene falls in love with a young Canadian soldier wounded in the battle of Vimy Ridge. But war has a way of separating lovers and families, of twisting promises and dashing hopes, and of turning the naïve and innocent into the jaded and war-weary. As the months pass, Helene is forced to reconcile dreams for the future with harsh reality. Lies Told in Silence examines love and loss, duty and sacrifice, and the unexpected consequences of lies.
