While writing Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, I had such great fun finding ways to incorporate some of the many, many 19th century cookbooks I came across along the way! From Eleanor’s cleaning skills to Mrs. Curry’s menus and cooking tips, all were inspired by or taken from cookbooks of the time period. Over the next …
As an historical mystery author, when it came to picking my “author outfit” I knew immediately I wanted to dress like my characters. Not only is this beneficial for research—is a corset really uncomfortable?—but it gives me the confidence I need as an introvert to go out there and talk about my books. 😉 For …
I was interviewed by KREM 2 News! View the interview here and follow me on YouTube! This is my debut historical mystery, Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, the first in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries, set in Gilded Age Spokane. It’s 1901 and Archie Prescot has traveled across the country to Spokane, Washington to design the now …
For my book, Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, I loved researching historical clothing circa 1901 in which to clothe my men and women. But let’s be honest: the women are always more fun for the variety! When it came to first-hand accounts, I was greatly inspired by the Women’s Column of the Spokesman-Review. Below you’ll find …
One of my favorite parts of writing historical fiction is getting the chance to set a story where my characters can have chance encounters with real people from history. In my book Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, although I’ve invented all the primary characters, I’ve sprinkled the story with cameos from some of the most well-known, …
What made me choose Spokane, Washington as the setting of my historical mystery Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker? Three things: people, locations, and events. Over the next several months leading up to my Big Book Announcement, I’m excited to tell you more about why Spokane, Washington, of all places, really needed a book set in its …
UPDATE: It’s not too late to enter! The Giveaway draw date has been extended to December 14! I’m having a #ChristmasGiveaway! I’m giving away a Christmas Gift Basket full of goodies including TWO signed copies of the Christmas Fiction Off the Beaten Path anthology—one for you and one for a friend! I’ll be drawing a …
One of my favorite authors is Alison Weir, and the reason I love her work so much is because she began as a biographical nonfiction writer. When she started writing historical fiction, her research paid off ten-fold by adding an element of realism that you just don’t get with other authors who don’t thoroughly research. …
What does a writer of historical fiction have in common with a writer of epic fantasy? How much history is too much history? It’s the same dilemma for both writers, oddly enough. For the epic fantasy writer (like my husband, Andrew Meredith), there’s always the question of spending too much time describing the world, and …
I’m afraid I don’t have much to add to the brilliance that is Agatha Christie’s autobiography. Instead, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite quotes from my reading, particularly those pertaining to writing. I hope they encourage and inspire you as they have me! “The whole point of a good detective story was that it …
