The Thrill of Historical Thrillers Back to Blog
*UPDATE: Casey’s name was pulled from the hat, so she’s the winner of a book in the Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom. Congratulations, Casey!*
Thank you so much to Cynthia for inviting me to guest blog on her fabulous site. We ‘met’ online a couple of years ago and she’s one amazing lady. I’m looking forward to meeting her in person at the RWA National conference next month.
I’m a writer who recently signed a contract with Simon & Schuster’s Gallery Books imprint for two manuscripts, for which I unfortunately don’t yet have covers. My debut historical thriller with strong romantic elements, ILLUMINATIONS, is due out in Spring 2011. The second novel with the same protagonists, BRILLIANCE, is due out that same Fall. While I was outlining my plot ideas for the third book in the series to my agent, she said something to the effect that if we think modern politics has a lot of intrigue, we have nothing on the Tudor court, where my books are set. It made me laugh, because that is precisely why writing these books is so much fun.
At the start, when I was choosing which real life characters to include, and which characters to make up, I was constantly amazed at the serendipity of my choices. I’d pick a specific courtier, then I’d suddenly find his wife was the perfect character for another role, with the side-benefit of strengthening the first story twist with her husband. These are all minor characters I’m talking about, but over and over again, there was an interconnectivity, a little ‘ah’ moment, where things click into place and you realize, oh, HER husband. Interesting.
Initially, I honestly wondered what the heck was going on. Perfect twist after perfect twist kept landing in my lap, until I realized, if you know the period well, and have a good memory (I fortunately do), then finding those connections is easy. Because they are everywhere. To survive, if you were at court, you made deals, stabbed backs and generally covered your behind, or you found yourself, literally and figuratively, out in the cold.
That’s why I love my main protagonists, John Parker and Susanna Horenbout. I have made them somehow able to step out of the pit to an extent. I have made Parker interesting and useful to King Henry, precisely because he WON’T kowtow and is deliberately not a yes man. That doesn’t mean he is exempt from punishment for treasonous acts or disloyalty, but it makes him a far stronger character than his peers. My heroine, Susanna, is an outsider (in fact, a foreigner), and is as such too late to the game. She simply isn’t part of the playing field, and this is part of her success. No one pays her enough attention, until it’s too late.
Keeping tension high, though, walks a tightrope between getting the reader to understand the issues without overwhelming them with too much information. This is entertainment, not a history lesson. At the same time, the stickler in me won’t permit me to deviate from the facts that stand. I make a lot of stuff up, that’s why my books will be shelved in the fiction section, but I won’t change the historical outcomes. So if someone died on day X, that’s when they’ll die in the book. No drawing out their life for the sake of plot.
I’ve kind of strayed from my original topic, that you’d have to be blind not to find plenty of intrigue in the Tudor court, and I’m not the only writer to use that. Philippa Gregory has obviously done extremely well with the period, and C.J. Sansom, with his fantastic Shardlake series, really brings the politics and sights and sounds of Tudor London to life, although both authors have chosen to set their books later into King Henry’s reign than I have. My work is all pre-Anne Boleyn and pre-Reformation.
There are plenty of other periods in history that are packed with juicy twists and turns, although for skullduggery and betrayal, I think you’d be hard pressed to beat the Renaissance period. Ancient Rome definitely had its fair share, and the Napoleonic Wars spring to mind, too.
But I’m interested, what historical period do you love reading about, especially when you’re reading an historical thriller, or is it a case of whatever period the writer uses, as long as you’re gripped, you’re happy?
Thanks again to Cynthia for inviting me! I’ll be giving away a copy of one of C.J. Sansom’s Shardlake series to one lucky commenter.
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Regency England & Tudor England are my 2 favorite periods. But yes, any time period when well written is appreciated & enjoyed.
Mary, so glad you love the Tudor period 🙂 . I love the Regency period, too. But I like the darker side to that period, rather than the drawing rooms and balls.
I read a book for its fabulousness, not its period. Though I enjoy the Regency books, I’d like to see more variety. Even if you weren’t my CP and I didn’t know that it’s ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT, I would want to read it.
I’m going to look up C.J. Sansom’s Shardlake series. I’m not sure if I read any.
Thanks, Edie! I think you’d enjoy Sansom’s series.
I’m a HUGE history buff so posing that question leaves me wondering which of my favorites do I choose? You mentioned several Henry VII’s reign, but also his children’s subsequent reigns as well; I mean, what a hotbed of political intrigue he left as a legacy for them to deal with – oy vey! Ancient Rome, The Renaissance are two of my favorites; Europe in the years leading up to, during and after WWI, which led to WWII; the French Revolution; Ancient Greece; the Civil War and Reconstruction; the dynastic eras in Egypt, China and Japan; the entire history of Turkey and Romania; the Babylonians, Incans, & Mayans. Obviously I could go on forever… 🙂
Hi, Michelle!! Thanks so much for blogging and I am SO excited about your books! Congratulations! They sound absolutely fabulous.
Catie, I LOVE the range of your favorites. You must not have any trouble finding something you want to read! 🙂 I also love the pre-WWI and pre-WWII periods. Love them.
Thanks again for the invite, Cynthia, and thanks for the congratulations. I am so looking forward to holding my book in my hands.
I love reading historicals, but I must confess that I like the fluff more than the intrigue. Who knows, your story might change my mind. 🙂 Good luck and post the cover when you get it!
Michelle, I’m so looking forward to your release AND your book covers 😉 I also love historicals and the more accurate and informative they are, the better. I do love a great read and a history lesson. Congrats on your two book deal.
Your novels sound amazing! I can’t wait to find them next year! As for favorite time periods…I can’t say that I have a favorite one. For me, it’s all about the characters – they make or break the story, and the setting is merely the background.
Margaret, I hope Illuminations is able to change your mind. You can let me know if I’ve given you a taste for the intrigue 🙂 . Believe me, when I first get a look at my cover, I’ll be posting it to everyone I know. 😉
Donnell, I’m the same. And that’s why I love writing what I do. They are the kinds of books I love to read. I so enjoy coming away from a novel with a sense of the time period and with some idea of the issues of the day, on top of being entertained. And thanks for saying you’re looking forward to reading them. I hope you enjoy them when they are out.
Casey, thank you! I can honestly say it was the characters who seem to have captured my agent and my editor’s interest in this series.
Michelle, both your books sound amazing. I confess to not reading many historicals, but I am a rabid Intrigue/mystery fan. Maybe you’ll convert me!!!
Good luck on your journey.
I do love the intrigue of Tudor court. I love medievals. I love a lot of historical periods. I’m not fond of the more recent historical periods though. So anything after the 1700s I usually don’t read. I love Susanna Horenbout! I made her a character in one of my historicals as well. She wasn’t a protagonist though. She was my heroine’s friend. Both were painters.
Michelle, I can’t wait to read your books! 🙂 And I love history, and really enjoy visiting different timelines through story. I don’t have a favorite era, but do enjoy post WWII stories, and tales in the 50’s and 60’s. Oh, I love pirate books and even got captured by a wagontrain series once! So,I’m all over the map when it comes to historical reads, I guess.
Hi Michelle – I don’t have a favorite time period. As long as the plot is good, I’m good. I just don’t like 1900’s. Too me it’s still a bit fresh. Thanks again.
I love whatever the writer writes as long as it keeps my attention. And so far every historical book I have read has done that. Your books sound really good.
I love to read all different time periods. I love when an author can bring the time period to life for me. Though one of my favorite periods is Tudor England and especially Elizabeth I. I think she is extremely interesting. Congrats on your upcoming releases. 🙂
I am a historical buff, I love the study of history, but I read any historical romance I can find!! Your books look like fantastic reads!! I love most periods, if I had to pick one I would say Regency Era, mainly because you have more books out there set in that Era. Congrats on your releases, I will definitely look for them!!
The Regency and Georgian periods are my two favorites, although I like Victorian stuff, too.
Michelle, I can’t wait to see your cover. I’m also a lover of history, and your story sounds most intriguing. I look forward to your release.
I have to say that as long as the writer grabs my attention and holds it, I am not fussy about the era. I love the varirty of romances out there and experience the time along with the characters…
I don’t have a favorite period. If the writer snags my attention, then I’m ready to sit back and enjoy the ride!
Michelle, I’m looking forward to your release! I don’t have a favorite “historical period”, though I do love reading anything about Henry VIII and his wives, plus the works of Jean Plaidy (d’Medici series), Lucrezia Borgia, plus the French Queens. Dating myself, but a good story and great writing NEVER goes out of style! One of my favorites – MY ENEMY THE QUEEN, by Victoria Holt (also writing as Jean Plaidy), plus THE QUEEN’S CONFESSION (about Marie Antoinette). I’ll definitely be looking for your works, Michelle!
Liz L, if you like thrills and intrigue, I hope I can convert you 🙂 .
Cindy! I hope I can get my hands on your book one day. How fabulous you’ve used Susanna Horenbout as well. Who was your main character?
Thanks, LaD! I’m with you. The more diverse, the merrier 🙂 .
Viki, LOL on the 1900s being a bit too recent. I know what you mean though. It is great to totally immerse yourself in a distant time that bears little relation to our current world and ways.
Sue, you are so lucky to have always picked books that keep you reading. I hope mine can do the same! Thank you for your kind words.
Larena, I agree. Elizabeth I was fascinating. So was her mother. They were very powerful women in a time when women had almost no power. What I loved about Susanna Horenbout, my protagonist, was that she was also a woman succeeding in a man’s world. Her power isn’t on the scale of queens, but it is almost more extraordinary, because of that.
Thank you, Judy! I confess to loving the Georgian period, the Regency and the Victorian eras. They are all about a world in the midst of great change, and that’s always good for a novel.
Marlene, you’re in good company with those periods, here, it seems. Thanks for stopping by.
Sylvia, thank you. To say I’m absolutely on the edge of my seat waiting for my cover is no understatement. I cannot wait.
Colleen, it is all about the story and the characters, isn’t it? I’ve read books set all over the world and in all time periods, and gone along happily where the author took me.
Tracey, LOL, yes, we are all in good company here today. That really is the beauty of fiction, isn’t it? Throwing yourself into the author’s hands and wondering where you’ll go and what you’ll experience.
Kathleen, both those books you mentioned stand out for me. I loved them, too. I think I’ve read most of Victoria Holt and Jean Plaidy’s work. Thank you for the kind words, and for stopping by.
I am intrigued more by characters and settings, rather than specific time periods. My favorite historical setting is Scotland! Give me a hero in a kilt anyday. I also like medievals. One thing I like about historicals in general is the subtlety of it all and the tension that can create. A flick of an ankle, a batting of the eyelashes is enough to get the hero all tongue tied.
I used to be huge with historicals but not so much anymore. However, your’s I’ve enjoyed immensely. I’d never really read a lot about the Tudor time period, but you’ve certainly made it come to life for me.
I’m kindda new with Historical romances, so whatever period the writer uses, as long as i’m gripped with the story line till the finish, i’m soooo very happy 🙂
I hope so too, Michelle! My main character was a ward of Henry’s court after he had her father executed for treason. All she wants is to paint. In my story Susanna is her best friend who is visiting court. I wrote it about ten years ago. Needs major rewrites for me to be able to submit it.
I am in the 17th century with my last nano-novels. In Italy and in France. The time of rivalty between Spain and France and a period of lot of intern political conclicts and major changings. Europe at the entrance of “modern times”.
I began with the “Royal Republic” at Naples in 1647/1648 and made a similar experience like you about pieces falling in place. Choose a name for the hero, just taking, what came to my mind. Then, during researches, I found out, not only it’s one of the eldest noble families of France, but of of them, as governor of Languedoc, led a rebellion against Louis XIII (induced by the king’s brother) and was executed … What a background!
Annemarie
Stephenia, have you read any of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon? Plenty of men in kilts there 🙂 .
Thanks, Liz. That is the ultimate compliment.
Mariska, it is nice ‘finding’ a new genre, isn’t it? There is so much good stuff to read!
Well, I hope it finds its way onto the shelves one day, Cindy. I’d love to read it.
Annemarie, it is a bit spooky, sometimes, isn’t it? As if the universe is conspiring with you. I love the period you’re writing as well. I hope your books are on the shelves one day soon.
“Because they are everywhere. To survive, if you were at court, you made deals, stabbed backs and generally covered your behind, or you found yourself, literally and figuratively, out in the cold.”
So COURT was the first reality TV show!
Loved the way your characters have come together. Can’t wait for the book!
~~Angi
Thanks, Angi, and LOL. And what a reality TV show it would have been!