Balancing Fact and Fiction...

No, I’m not talking about politics.

This week I launched the first in my Carroll and Delaney Mystery Series – A Secret War.

It is a story that is close to my heart and was based on events in 1939, just as Great Britain entered WW2, and was also inspired by my own family history.

What I have found, is that writing a historical mystery is like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle—exciting, a little bit dangerous, and definitely not for the faint of heart! As writers, we’re tasked with weaving together the rigid threads of historical fact and the free-spirited strands of fiction. It’s a delicate balance, and one misstep can send us tumbling into a pit of anachronisms or inaccuracies.

There’s something undeniably thrilling about setting a story in a different time period. The costumes, the language, the societal norms—all of these elements create a rich backdrop that draws readers in – I hope! History is full of fascinating events and complex characters, and when you throw in a good mystery, it’s like adding a secret ingredient to a family recipe.

But here’s the rub: while history provides a treasure trove of material, it also comes with its own set of rules. If you’re writing about Victorian London, for instance, you can’t just throw in a smartphone or have your characters speak in modern slang. Readers who love history are often sticklers for accuracy, and they’ll spot the inconsistencies faster than you can say “Jack the Ripper.”

Ah, research—the writer’s double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s exhilarating to unearth a nugget of information that adds depth to your story. On the other hand, it can also feel like you’re getting sucked into a black hole. You start with a simple question about a historical figure and suddenly find yourself knee-deep in obscure academic articles and dusty archives.

I also visited the Imperial War Museum in London and rationalized purchasing arm-loads of books, in the name of “research”.

The key is to integrate research details seamlessly. Rather than dumping a bunch of facts which add nothing to the story, the real art is to provide a believable backdrop to an intriguing story.

Now, I did bend a few facts to fit my mystery, so fingers crossed, my readers will forgive me.

If you would like to read A Secret War, it’s available now for kindle readers – paperback / hardback to follow.