Peg Herring's Blog - Posts Tagged "her-highness-first-murder"
Speaking Tudor - Simon
Simon Maldon, visitor to 2010 from 1572:
I will tell you a little about my adventure with Her Highness, the Princess Elizabeth. We met due to my father's occupation, for he is a physician. He was called to Her Highness' home when a woman there broke her leg. I met the princess that day, and our mutual interest in languages led to more visits. During that time, strange murders were occuring in London. We knew nothing of it until the killer
struck within Her Highness' household. When that happened, nothing, not even His
Majesty, King Henry VIII, could keep Elizabeth from investigating the crimes. I
became her agent, going where she could not. It was the most dangerous time of my life, but it was also the most exciting. A cripple like me, involved in sleuthing,
connected with royalty, and, for once, important to the world.
I will tell you a little about my adventure with Her Highness, the Princess Elizabeth. We met due to my father's occupation, for he is a physician. He was called to Her Highness' home when a woman there broke her leg. I met the princess that day, and our mutual interest in languages led to more visits. During that time, strange murders were occuring in London. We knew nothing of it until the killer
struck within Her Highness' household. When that happened, nothing, not even His
Majesty, King Henry VIII, could keep Elizabeth from investigating the crimes. I
became her agent, going where she could not. It was the most dangerous time of my life, but it was also the most exciting. A cripple like me, involved in sleuthing,
connected with royalty, and, for once, important to the world.
Speaking Tudor - Hannah 1-26-2010
Hannah, a servant at Hampstead Castle and a character in HER HIGHNESS' FIRST MURDER, visiting 2010:
I find it both wondrous and frightening to be in your time. I once thought the London streets noisy, but they are nothing compared to the sounds and sights I have experienced of late. Here there is no silence, and no darkness, either.
In our time, night was a time for rest. Yes, those of grand state could prolong the day with candles and rushlights, but for most of us, sunset was bedtime and sunrise the end of sleep. I think you must be confused by your ability to light the night, and I wonder that your bodies can adapt. In your cities there is no real night, for lights of all kinds burn so brightly that one cannot see the stars. That is a great loss, for they are beautiful, and folk need their rest.
And the noises! My sleep is disturbed by many frightful things, and though Peg assures me it is only the furnace (which I must admit is wonderful) or the self-moving carriages that pass the house night and day, I wake each time. During the day I shrink from the sound of machines that suck their power through long cords. Marvelous things, like the floor cleaner and the drying-hair thing Peg uses, but what a clamor they make!
I do not complain. I merely marvel that you accept without question the disruption of your thoughts, your sleep, your peace.
I find it both wondrous and frightening to be in your time. I once thought the London streets noisy, but they are nothing compared to the sounds and sights I have experienced of late. Here there is no silence, and no darkness, either.
In our time, night was a time for rest. Yes, those of grand state could prolong the day with candles and rushlights, but for most of us, sunset was bedtime and sunrise the end of sleep. I think you must be confused by your ability to light the night, and I wonder that your bodies can adapt. In your cities there is no real night, for lights of all kinds burn so brightly that one cannot see the stars. That is a great loss, for they are beautiful, and folk need their rest.
And the noises! My sleep is disturbed by many frightful things, and though Peg assures me it is only the furnace (which I must admit is wonderful) or the self-moving carriages that pass the house night and day, I wake each time. During the day I shrink from the sound of machines that suck their power through long cords. Marvelous things, like the floor cleaner and the drying-hair thing Peg uses, but what a clamor they make!
I do not complain. I merely marvel that you accept without question the disruption of your thoughts, your sleep, your peace.
Speaking Tudor - Hugh - 1-27-2010
Hugh, a visitor from 1537 and a character in HER HIGHNESS FIRST MURDER:
I am a simple man, and to me simple things hold the most interest. There is something in your time that I like very much, and that is your clothing.
Now I must say that it is not as fine-looking as my Welsh Guard uniform, which
has a grand and jaunty flair, but for comfort, your clothes are best.
Nothing I have found here scratches the skin the way woolens do, and most
things keep their color and shape, though you have a very mania for washing
them. I felt quite naked for a while without a proper hat, but Peg found
me something acceptable in dark blue with a gold-colored "M" emblazoned on it.
I find it odd that there are no laws about what a person may wear. I suppose your commoners are glad to be allowed to choose the colors and fabrics they like, but it
is difficult to tell who is noble and who is common among you.
Finally, boots. I have never worn boots that fit my feet so well, right from the first day. Those I was given are actually cut to fit a right or left foot, and this had to be pointed out to me so I did not confuse them. Once I understood the concept, it makes perfect sense, and I wonder why we did not think of it.
All in all, I like the garb of two thousand and ten, although I would not mind a bit more decoration for my own gender. Have you forgotten that it is the male of the species who is supposed to strut and preen and call attention to himself?
I am a simple man, and to me simple things hold the most interest. There is something in your time that I like very much, and that is your clothing.
Now I must say that it is not as fine-looking as my Welsh Guard uniform, which
has a grand and jaunty flair, but for comfort, your clothes are best.
Nothing I have found here scratches the skin the way woolens do, and most
things keep their color and shape, though you have a very mania for washing
them. I felt quite naked for a while without a proper hat, but Peg found
me something acceptable in dark blue with a gold-colored "M" emblazoned on it.
I find it odd that there are no laws about what a person may wear. I suppose your commoners are glad to be allowed to choose the colors and fabrics they like, but it
is difficult to tell who is noble and who is common among you.
Finally, boots. I have never worn boots that fit my feet so well, right from the first day. Those I was given are actually cut to fit a right or left foot, and this had to be pointed out to me so I did not confuse them. Once I understood the concept, it makes perfect sense, and I wonder why we did not think of it.
All in all, I like the garb of two thousand and ten, although I would not mind a bit more decoration for my own gender. Have you forgotten that it is the male of the species who is supposed to strut and preen and call attention to himself?
Book Launch & Good Disasters
Tuesday is the book launch party for HER HIGHNESS' FIRST MURDER. I have received word that the books I ordered for said launch will arrive on Wednesday.
It's the sort of problem one can't complain about. The reason for the delay in shipping is that the first printing of HHFM sold out shortly after the release date, January 20th. The publisher is working on catching up, but ... I'll be having a party without hundreds of little guests of honor.
Am I disappointed? Certainly. Will I live through it? Undoubtedly. Does "sold out" make up for all the running I'm going to have to do to deliver raincheck books when they finally do arrive? Yes!
It's the sort of problem one can't complain about. The reason for the delay in shipping is that the first printing of HHFM sold out shortly after the release date, January 20th. The publisher is working on catching up, but ... I'll be having a party without hundreds of little guests of honor.
Am I disappointed? Certainly. Will I live through it? Undoubtedly. Does "sold out" make up for all the running I'm going to have to do to deliver raincheck books when they finally do arrive? Yes!
Inspiration or Perspiration?
It's time to choose the next book. My second Simon & Elizabeth (POISON, YOUR GRACE) and my paranormal, THE DEAD DETECTIVE AGENCY, are both in the editing process, so there is nothing I can do about them until I get the editors' suggestions. My newest endeavor, which I titled DEAD INSIDE, is awaiting word from an agent or two. So what do I want to do next?
The perspiration part: write the third of the historical series. I have it outlined on my handy-dandy little tape recorder, and I know and like the characters. I've researched the history. The next step will be to start putting it into real words.
But inspiration just hit on what the next book of the DEAD INSIDE series should be. I find I'm excited about writing that one, too. The plot is evolving, the characters have begun to talk in my head. So do I write the book I know I need to write, or the book that calls to me?
I have to tell you, it's a dilemma I have no problem harboring. I love having two exciting, absorbing projects to choose from. So much better than real life, and I have TWO ways to escape!
The perspiration part: write the third of the historical series. I have it outlined on my handy-dandy little tape recorder, and I know and like the characters. I've researched the history. The next step will be to start putting it into real words.
But inspiration just hit on what the next book of the DEAD INSIDE series should be. I find I'm excited about writing that one, too. The plot is evolving, the characters have begun to talk in my head. So do I write the book I know I need to write, or the book that calls to me?
I have to tell you, it's a dilemma I have no problem harboring. I love having two exciting, absorbing projects to choose from. So much better than real life, and I have TWO ways to escape!
