I'd like to welcome Joyce T. Strand to my blog to talk about her latest release. In a guest post she writes about writing an historical Mystery and her new book The judge's Story.

Why write a Historical Mystery?
by Joyce T. Strand

Why write an historical mystery? How could a mystery set in the past improve on current-day sleuthing tales?

I first understood that I loved history in high school, when I received the award for outstanding history student. I didn’t know that I excelled at history. Quite frankly, I just enjoyed reading historical novels—along with mysteries and some literary books by John Steinbeck and Dostoyevsky. I recall that when I studied and learned famous dates, I was inclined to imagine the people who made those dates significant and how they must have lived.

So when I considered writing a novel about a judge in the 1930s, the idea enticed me. And reading a Memoir by an actual California Superior Court Judge dated 1941 added to the allure. (For those of you who might be interested: Louis C. Drapeau, Senior; Autobiography of a Country Lawyer; 1941, available at the Museum of Ventura County/Library, 100 E. Main St., Ventura CA 93001).

As a writer of mysteries, however, I wasn’t quite sure how to create a 1930s protagonist, deliver a book with a puzzle, clues, red herrings, and villains—all the characteristics of a mystery—and, still attract 21^st century readers.

That’s when “history” came to my rescue. First, I delved into the 1941 memoir, which was full of descriptions of the actual judge’s cases as a lawyer, people he met and defended, and his beliefs and ethics. So I started to build my fictional Judge’s character based on these insights.

Next I searched for legal trends of the 1930s to buttress the actions of my fictional judge. I was surprised to find that in Ventura County, the Peace Officers recorded in their “Manual” [the Ventura County Peace Officers’ Training School Ventura 1939-1940] a “pronounced change” in the “attitude of the law towards criminals.” The change emphasized reforming a criminal and having the punishment fit the criminal rather than the crime, with the ultimate goal of convincing a young wrongdoer to do what was right. This trend amplified the actions of my Judge and, again, improved both the plot and its credibility.

With the professional part of my Judge’s life underpinned by both the actual judge in his memoir and writings from the peace officers, I next wanted to comprehend how the judge and other characters lived in the 1930s—without the internet, cell phones, and Amazon.com. I turned to reading a year’s worth of the daily newspaper [Oxnard Daily Courier, January 1, 1939 to January 1, 1940). I was rewarded with gobs of interesting details—more than I could possibly use—and also learned that books of the day were serialized in daily papers.

But I wanted more. If possible, I yearned to actually see people from this time period. I have viewed enough Hollywood movies from the 1930s to appreciate their contribution to our culture and issues to our collective psyche. So, yes, I could pull from there. But I also wanted to observe real every-day people.

I am fortunate to have friends who are librarians who tracked down recordings of newsreels and documentaries, which added to my understanding of the time period. One of them sparked a scene at a drive-in movie theater, and another documented the rise and concern for teenage crime. 

I suspect that I could have continued to research the time period for much longer. I was fascinated with the events and learned that some things just didn’t change, such as, the argument over universal healthcare. However, it came time to write the mystery, so I set aside my curiosity and applied what I’d learn to produce The Judge’s Story.

Yes, it was critical to me that the history in the book be accurate. But what was even more imperative was comprehension of how people lived in the 1930s, what events had the most impact, and who were the heroes.  The mystery itself is a huge bonus, but the story was definitely enhanced by applying the trends and character traits of the period in which it takes place.

One final thought: what’s fascinating about studying history isn’t just learning the dates of various battles, elections, or trends, but rather connecting to the people of various time periods and how they lived. To me, that is the most valuable lesson of writing and reading a novel set in historical times—even a mystery.

The Judge’s Story by Joyce T. Strand

About The Judge’s Story

A Superior Court Judge with a passion for social justice as well as the law strives to discover the truth behind the mystery of a robbery-murder in a small California town in 1939.

When the Judge hears testimony against a 14-year-old teenager, he realizes that the boy participated in a robbery-murder. However, the accused did not actually pull the trigger. But unless the boy identifies his partner, the Judge must sentence him as a murderer, which would result in prolonged jail time. The Judge’s investigator, along with the precocious 16-year-old girl who identified the boy as one of the thieves, explore different approaches to uncover the murderer. In the backdrop of escalating war in Europe, the financial scarcities of the Great Depression, and the Judge’s caseload, their attempts to find justice for the accused boy and unmask the killer lure the Judge and his friends into sordid criminal activities.

Inspired by a memoir of a real California Superior Court Judge

Purchase Links for The Judge’s Story

Book and Kindle

Barnes and Noble Nook

About Joyce T. Strand

Joyce T. Strand is the author of who-done-it mysteries.

Her newest novel, THE JUDGE’S STORY, published June 23, 2015, is a historical mystery set in a small California town (Ventura) in 1939 and features a California Superior Court Judge.

Her most recent contemporary novel, HILLTOP SUNSET, is the first of a trio featuring protagonist Brynn Bancroft, a financial guru in transition to winemaker from corporate executive. Brynn Bancroft is a minor character in Strand’s novels ON MESSAGE, OPEN MEETINGS, and FAIR DISCLOSURE—three mysteries solved by Jillian Hillcrest, a publicist whose boss was Chief Financial Officer Brynn Bancroft.

Much like her protagonist Jillian Hillcrest, Strand headed corporate communications at several biotech and high-tech companies in California’s Silicon Valley for more than 25 years. Today, in addition to creating mysteries, Strand writes and publishes a blog, Strand’s Simply Tips, is a writer for a regional wine magazine, and is working on the second Brynn Bancroft mystery, to be published in November 2015.

Strand lives with her two cats and collection of cow statuary in Southern California, and seeks out and attends as many Broadway musicals and other stage plays as she can.

To find out more about Joyce go to her Website or Blog, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads.

Joyce can also be found at Amazon Central and Barnes and Noble.

Tales from Foss End

Grand Western Canal

It has been a long year of chaos, which has played havoc with my writing schedule, but the stress, tiredness and disruption has all been worth it.

I’ll explain.

Last summer we decided to put the house on the market and leave London. Moving house is a daunting task for anyone who decides to do it, but when you have two cats, and you work freelance/from home, and make the decision to move half way across the country it can prove particularly challenging.

But after many trials and tribulations (that I won’t bore you with), we finally moved in to our new house, in the middle of the Devon countryside last week.

Flowers

Despite still having many belongings in boxes and not knowing where a lot of our stuff is, we are settling in. The pace of life is slower, which is lovely, and the only noise we now hear is the quacking of ducks from the canal or the twittering of birds in the trees. it’s wonderful.

Swans and Cygnets on the canal

I’m looking forward to getting back to writing very soon so that I can release more books for my patient readers. There are so many different places I can sit and work here, and I know that the amazing countryside and scenery around us is going to be so inspiring.

For now though, I am going to spend another few days recovering from lifting and shifting of boxes, and see if I can find some of the things I've misplaced and set up my desk! For those of you who are still patiently waiting, don’t worry, the next book is on its way very soon!

The negative reporting of Greece

In recent weeks the press seems to have increased the number of negative reports about Greece, whether it be in relation to Grexit and its possible implications, the influx of mediterranean migrants 'making holidaymakers lives a misery' on various islands or just generally doing the country down.

I'm all for freedom of speech and freedom of press, the press do highlight some important stories to the world, but news stories should never be written to the detriment of a nation and her people. I feel so strongly about this that I had to write this post. Many of the recent articles have been overly sensationalist, and have upset a lot of people who love Greece and her people.

I have many friends living in Greece as well as some family, and many will agree that recently things for Greece haven't been easy, and that in some respects things should, and could, have been handled much better by previous Governments. But I'm not here to talk politics. I'm here to talk about people.

Greece is full of wonderful people, the culture is truly fantastic, the food is to die for, and wherever you go you will always be welcomed with open arms and given the best possible hospitality. So why have the press been reporting recently that Greece should be avoided, that ATM's have, or are, running dry and that tourists could be at risk, that basic medical is unavailable, that islands should be avoided as they are like detention centres due to the number of mediterranean migrants on their shores? 

Yes, the Greek people, along with the rest of Europe, are waiting with bated breath to see what happens in the next few months. It is true that Greek people have been struggling terribly in the last few years and many have lost their jobs and had to scrabble around for wages and some medicines, but nothing has changed in regards to the beauty of Greece or the expectation of visitors. 

Greece as a nation is still very much open for business. The shops, hotels, and restaurants are still operating as normal and from what I hear tourists are still flocking there in droves and having a wonderful time, many stating that they will definitely go back to Greece again. The ATM's have not run dry, there is basic medical care if required, and yes, some islands have taken in some mediterranean migrants escaping war torn nations, but it's not affecting visiting tourists or their holidays.

So please next time anyone mentions Greece to you, tell them it's wonderful country where tourists are very welcome and where they will have a fantastic holiday. Tell them that Greece is a magical country rich with history and culture that will leave them wanting for more. Tell them that the beaches and scenery is some of the best they will see in the world. Most importantly tell them that the worst that will happen if they go to Greece is that she will creep in to their hearts, never let them go making them fall in love with a country that will make them want to return again and again. 

Go to the following links to learn more about visiting Greece:

Visit Greece

Rough Guides

Lonely Planet

Time out - Greek Islands

COVER REVEAL

Strikers Apprentice by Andrea Buginsky

As a young hunter seeks a trainer, The Chosen prepare for an unforgettable adventure.

With Nature and Phantasma back in order, Halli and Silvor have settled into their new life in Drumple. During a visit from Striker, Kaidyla and Lumina, a request from an old friend of Halli’s family sparks a new challenge when she asks Striker if he’ll train their young son, Dylan. Working with Dylan gives Striker a chance to be a mentor once again, as he had been in his past.

This brings The Chosen to an area of Phantasma Halli has never seen before. What new dangers might be lurking in the forest? Will Halli have a reason to use her powers?

But Halli and Silvor are facing a new journey of their own, one that will change their lives forever. What is in store for The Chosen’s future? Will this latest escapade prepare them for what is yet to come? 

Coming soon to an eBook store near you!

About the Author:

Andrea Buginsky is a freelance writer with a BA in mass Communication-Journalism from the University of South Florida. She has always wanted to be a published writer, and decided to try and write children's fantasy books. The Chosen is her first book, and was released on December 14, 2010, to her delight.

Andrea has written five more books since:

My Open Heart, an autobiography of growing up with heart disease

The Chosen: The Chosen series, Book 1

Nature's Unbalance: The Chosen, Book 2

Destiny: New Avalon, book 1, a YA fantasy

Fate: New Avalon, book 2, a YA fantasy

She is currently writing the fourth book in the Chosen series. 

Andrea lives in Kansas with her family, which includes her two precious puppies.

You can visit Andrea on her website.