Thanks to Carolyn for filling in for me yesterday! We are taking over each other’s identities this week (though I would probably get her fired from her day job, so maybe that’s not such a good idea…) It’s been a little crazy getting caught up around here after RWA and my much-too-short beach vacation after. I have to turn in my second Elizabethan mystery, “Murder at Westminster Abbey” on (gulp!) the 15th, the weather is ridiculously hot here just as my car AC decided to die, and I have no ideas for fun, clever blog posts. Nada. Naught.
But there is fun going on, too! I have been reading lots of good stuff. Just finished CW Gortner’s The Queen’s Vow, about Isabella of Castile. I love Gortner’s historical fiction, and was so excited to start this one. Have not been at all disappointed!
I’ve also been watching some TV. I just discovered that one of my favorite mystery series, Kerry Greenwood’s 1920s “Phryne Fisher” books, have a TV series that goes along with them!!! I got them on Netflix and have been glomming episodes all week. The stories are truncated into an hour format, of course, but the actress is spot-on right for Phryne and the costumes are to-die.
I’ve been researching for the next WIP, my Brazil-set Regency! I found this book, “Tropical Versailles,” on ABE Books and it’s proving invaluable. I can’t wait to start writing this one! (though I still think I need a little research trip to Rio, just to be sure…)
But life hasn’t been all work! Last weekend I went with some friends to a Murder Mystery Dinner at a local b&b. The story was set in the 1940s, so out came my aunt’s velvet vintage gown (sadly, the house’s AC also went out that night, so velvet–yeah, not a good idea), character assignments were studied, and mysteries were solved. I learned some stuff about plotting that night. 1) Too many characters (there were over 50 in this story) gets really confusing, and not everyone can play a real part… 2) Making your murderer characters who are “out of sight” and not talked about in the story is a bit of a cheat 3) Wine and summer humidity make people punch-drunk 4) This is a ton of fun!!
But fun is over for now, and I am off to finish this book! What have you been doing this week?
A friend of mine once hosted a murder mystery dinner at her apartment here in New York set in the 1920’s. By the time we got done with dinner and went through the whole thing, it was three o’clock in the morning. At that point I was so tired, I didn’t care who the murderer was!
As for me, I’m researching the Cousins War for a series of blog posts and watching Broadchurch with David Tennant and Law & Order: UK on BBC America.
I absolutely loved the Phryne episodes. The sets and costumes were just as fabulous as the actors. I had never read the books even though I had the first one on my reader. That is changing. I heard they are working on a second season so I am crossing my fingers it comes through.
first row sports
Elizabeth, I felt the same way! By the time it finished and we heard from all 50+ participants, I didn’t care anymore. 🙂
Amy, the first books (“Cocaine Blues”) is not the best, but it does set up many of the characters (and they aren’t quite the same as in the movies). I love both of them. 🙂
I once wore a full length vintage fringed gown for a 1920s party. My husband wore an old tuxedo. I still have the shoes and wish I’d purchased the dress instead of just renting it.
What am I doing?
Writing the next Regency!
Wow, Amanda, wish I could hang out with you more. You do such interesting things, and my TBR List expands every time you talk about books.
I’m madly editing and supporting my oldest in her college search. It’s a very busy summer!