Exclusive interview with author Susanna Calkins and a review of her mystery novel about a 17th century murder in London
Rating: Three Stars
By Gabrielle Pantera
“The idea for A Murder at Rosamund’s Gate came to me when I was doing research as a graduate student on domestic homicide in 17th century England,” says A Murder at Rosamund’s Gate author Susanna Calkins.
“I’d been reading through murder ballads and broadsides (a one-page precursor to tabloids that served as a source of exaggerated news and a cheap entertainment) when I discovered something amazing. Over and over again, the same story surfaced. Locals would find a woman, strangled or stabbed, and on her person they would discover a signed note, purportedly from the killer.”
Calkins’ vivid descriptions help you picture 17th century London. Calkins covers the Puritans, the Plague and the Great Fire. In fact, there’s so much history here it may seem too much. It might have been better spread it out over a series of books. Still, the story moves along and the mystery is well defined with clever twists. Told from the perspective of a maid to a magistrate, we see the life of a servant. For a historical novel, there are times when the interaction between the magistrate, his family and the servants crosses class lines. The dialog language is quite modern, too.
Lucy Campion is a chambermaid for the Hargraves family. She is inquisitive and loyal to the family. Mr Hargraves is the local magistrate and his servants are treated well. A female servant is murdered and left in a field. Who is the killer? Can Lucy help find the killer without becoming the killer’s next victim?
“When I was working on my dissertation I spent a lot of time in different archives and libraries,” says Calkins. “This provided a lot of the general historical background that informed my story.”
Kelley Ragland is Calkins’ editor at Minotaur/St Martin’s Books. “I love A Murder At Rosamund’s Gate for several reasons, one of which is because Lucy is such a dynamic character,” says Ragland. “I am a fan of characters in crime fiction who, because of their situations, make totally believable and compelling amateur sleuths.”
“I met Kelley at a Bouchercon [the annual convention for creators and fans of mystery and detective fiction], although of course we’d chatted about my book before then,” says Calkins. “I went through two big rounds of revisions with Kelley, who was always incisive, yet gentle in her suggestions, followed by a round or two with the copy editor who did an excellent job. Then I had my proofs, and then the book.”
David Hale Smith at Inkwell Management is Calkins’ agent. “I first connected with David through a mutual friend, the novelist Duane Swierczynski, also one of his clients,” says Calkins. “David did not actually take me on as a client right away, but he left the door open. The following year, he gave me a second chance.”
A Murder at Rosamund’s Gate is Calkin’s first book. She has written many historical non-fiction academic papers and articles. She co-authored a book on learning and teaching in higher education for her day job.
Calkins is currently writing the second Lucy Campion novel, to release spring 2014. She’s also working on a young adult novel set in 19th century Paris.
Calkins lives outside Chicago with her husband and two sons. She was born in Philadelphia.
Details on her upcoming book signings and events can be found on her website, along with a virtual tour recently completed.
A Murder at Rosamund’s Gate (Lucy Campion Mysteries) by Susanna Calkins. Hardcover, 352 pages, Publisher: Minotaur Books; First Edition (April 23, 2013)
Language: English ISBN: 9781250007902 $24.99
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