Patricia Meredith's Blog, page 8

Cupboards All Bared Unboxing

ONE WEEK TILL RELEASE!! I took the opportunity of unboxing to tell you a little more about the history, locations, new characters, and more concerning the second book in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries: Cupboards All Bared!

Coming May 17!

In this sequel to Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, we’re once again transported to Spokane, 1901. A body discovered in Hangman Creek looks to be the result of an accidental fall, but what begins as a “simple” mystery for Thomas Carew and his twin brother Bernard quickly becomes a lot more complicated, including implications that tie in with the bombings at the Idaho mines, and perhaps even President McKinley’s planned visit.

In this video, I also invite you to my Book Launch Dessert Tea, happening May 20 here in Spokane!

Click the image above or follow this link to pay and RSVP to attend!

Visit Books2Read.com/CABbook to pre-order Cupboards All Bared in your favorite format. New formats are added all the time so be sure to check back, esp. after release date!

Thanks for watching, listening, reading, and all your support!

The post Cupboards All Bared Unboxing appeared first on Patricia Meredith, Author.

The President is Coming to Spokane!

The year is 1901, the day, April 16. You reach for your copy of The Spokesman-Review and low-and-behold, you read that President McKinley himself is coming to Spokane, Washington!

A few days later, Ohio-born Amasa Campbell, jots off a few letters to friends and family:

“The President will be out to visit us about the 26th of May and will be in Spokane for two days, and will stop with me.” [Letter to Kipp, 4/27/01]

Finally, on May 7, The Spokane Chronicle gets ahold of the news, and announces it to the world: President McKinley will be staying with the Campbells on his trip through Spokane!

Well, the cat’s out of the bag now, so Campbell writes a few more letters:

“The President and his wife are going to stop with me while in Spokane Sunday and Monday.” [Letter to Campbell, 5/8/01]

“Grace and I are going to have the President with us for two days while stops in Spokane. This is all arranged and I guess we can take care of him.” [Letter to Ford, 5/11/01]

The countdown begins May 13!

Will President McKinley make it to Spokane? Find out as we follow the news leading up to the release of Cupboards All Bared, the second book in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries!

Be sure to tell your friends about the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries today! Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker is available in print, ebook, and audiobook; you can also request it through your local library! The sequel, Cupboards All Bared, is now available for pre-order!

To learn more about my writing and books, search my website. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Goodreads—while you’re over there, be sure to follow my author profile and add Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker and Cupboards All Bared to your Want to Read List. Following an author ensures you’ll be the first to hear when a new book is released (coming soon!) or a giveaway is happening!

Sign up for my newsletter to receive my newest blogs delivered straight to your inbox. You’ll receive my latest short story, “Murder for a Jar of Red Rum,” for free for signing up!

Thank you so much for reading!

The post The President is Coming to Spokane! appeared first on Patricia Meredith, Author.

Cupboards All Bared Book Trailer

It’s here! The Cupboards All Bared Book Trailer!

Share with everyone you know!

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

“Her books are a high that no drug can match.” —@PurposeofaBook, Bookstagram Reviewer

“Page turning addicting!” —@GingerMorticia, Bookstagram Reviewer

“One not to be missed!” —William H. Keith, NYT bestselling author

In this sequel to Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, we’re once again transported to Spokane, 1901. A body discovered in Hangman Creek looks to be the result of an accidental fall, but what begins as a “simple” mystery for Thomas Carew and his twin brother Bernard quickly becomes a lot more complicated, including implications that tie in with the bombings at the Idaho mines, and perhaps even President McKinley’s planned visit.

Visit Books2Read.com/CABbook to pre-order Cupboards All Bared, Book 2 in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries, in your favorite format. New formats are added all the time so be sure to check back, esp. after release date!

The post Cupboards All Bared Book Trailer appeared first on Patricia Meredith, Author.

Gilded Age Tea Etiquette

For those of you who weren’t able to attend our event, we had an incredible tea party this Sunday at Heavenly Special Teas, my favorite local teashop! (Learn about the next event at the bottom of this post!)

I thought I’d share some of my readings concerning tea etiquette, since when I was researching for Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, some of my favorite resources to turn to were old cookbooks and etiquette books—both of which were quite prolific in the 19th century.

You can read a collection of quotes from 19th-century cookbooks regarding cooking, cleaning, and home health elsewhere on my website. I’ve also shared a few recipes on my YouTube channel.

And now, here are a few sections concerning tea!

Home Cook BookPublished in 1877“Good manners cost nothing, good taste is a saving, and good housekeeping actually makes money.”“See that the room is light and especially warm, for people want comfort at meals of all times…”“The form of card for afternoon tea, which means ladies in visiting or carriage dress, a harlequin tea service, each cup different, or a set of choice East India china, rooms cosey with warm curtains, and signs of womanly occupation, everything in short, to have the daintiest home-look possible, are issued in this fashion:

MRS. BRADLEY COWLES,

Friday, January 18th,

Tea at 4 o’clock.

39 W. 188th St.

“Guests arrive in the five minutes before the hour, or the five minutes after. The tea is brought in punctually and placed on the hostess’ table in the corner, where are the urns of black, green, and Russian tea for those who like each, a basket of wafers, delicate sandwiches or chicken or thin sliced meats, and a basket of fancy cake. If the English style is followed, the cups of tea are carried to the guests on a tray, and a tiny table to rest the cups on placed in reach of each group. Centennial enthusiasm has brought the customs of our grandmothers into honorable imitation, and the old fashion tea party, such as Mrs. Washington used to give, are very successful, gathering ladies for a couple of hours gossip in afternoon dress, with hoods and cloaks laid aside, the gentlemen dropping in just before tea, which is served in hospitable fashion, all sitting at table, where chicken, oysters, preserves, compotes, and cake appear in old fashioned plenty. The party breaks up by six, unless the old habit is carried farther by pretty girls and escorts coming in for a dance in the evening, to be home by half past ten. The style of these gatherings depends on the elegance in equipage and surrounding, where the choicest old china, silver, abundance of flowers, embroidered chairs, and fashionable nicknacks contrast with the easy, neighborly way of receiving.”Manners of Modern SocietyPublished in 1892“Tea always seems to produce sociability, cheerfulness, and vivacity. There is an air of comfort and home which hovers over the tea table…”High tea is a full meal, but wasn’t often found in the country since “late dinners interfere with the social, informal life that country people are wont to lead.”“A white cloth is always laid on the table for ‘high tea,’ and on it down the centre are placed flowers, and if in summer, fruits. Nothing looks more tempting than bowls of old china filled with ripe red strawberries, and jugs of rich cream by their side. Glass dishes containing preserved fruits of different colors, such as apricots, strawberries, marmalade, etc., take their stands at short intervals. Cakes of various kinds—plum, rich, and sponge; and then within easy reach of the ‘tea-drinkers’ are hot muffins, crumpets, toast, tea-cakes, and what not.”“Very often the gentlemen wait to a great extent upon themselves and the ladies on these occasions.”“Tables and chairs should be so placed that the guests naturally form themselves into little groups, and can with ease pass from one knot to another.”Afternoon tea was served between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m., given that dinner was usually served late, between 9:00 or 10:00 p.m.“The tea equipage is brought in and placed on a table near the lady of the house, who dispenses it herself. Gentlemen, of course, will tender their services…”“People do not assemble at these five o’clock teas to eat and drink, but merely to see and talk to each other, and take a cup of tea the while as a refreshment.”“You take your departure whenever you feel inclined; but should on no account stay later than seven o’clock.”Social Etiquette by Maud C CookePublished in 1896“The distinction between five o’clock teas, kettledrums, afternoon receptions, and high tea is not very clearly drawn. Strictly speaking, the afternoon or morning reception is the most formal, and has been dwelt upon in a former chapter.”High tea“This is really the evening supper… The ladies come in visiting costumes, and the gentlemen in morning dress in country towns. In cities, sometimes dress coats and light gowns are considered essential. Guests are expected to spend the evening.”“Cards or any of the many pencil-and-paper games that are pleasant at such gatherings” were often played.The menu for an event like this would include bouillon served “in cups, and be sure that it is very hot. Have a thin slice of lemon floating on the surface of each cup.”“choice blanched celery…it is well to have a couple of short stalks of celery laid at each plate and spare that amount of waiting.”pickled oysterssandwiches “neatly piled on fringed napkins on bread plates”“olives and salted almonds may fill small glass dishes”“cakes should be prettily arranged in a cake dish with a doily under them”fruit, to include “oranges, bananas, grapes”“Have each cup and saucer set in a plate, and take all three pieces off at once.… Each guest must be supplied with a fruit plate, doily, finger-bowl, fruit-knife, and fork or spoon.”Five O’clock Teas, or “At Homes”“Some ladies make it a point to be ‘at home’ almost every day at a certain hour, and serve tea or coffee in their drawing rooms, accompanied by either wafers, macaroons, fancy cakes, or small delicate sandwiches, and perhaps bouillon for masculine callers.”“Such a lady who is bright and interesting, who gives a warm welcome, yet does not bind any one to a longer stay than the conventional ten minutes, is sure of drawing about her a delightful circle of acquaintances, men and women alike being pleased to drop in on their way home from the city, or from more pretentious gatherings.”“This is the afternoon tea in its simplest form. In London afternoon tea is universal. If you are calling anywhere in the latter part of the afternoon, tea and thin bread and butter will be offered you as a matter of course, or if it has already been handed round, you will be asked if you have had your tea, and if not a fresh supply will be immediately brought.”The menu usually included bread, butter, cake, and perhaps “in warm weather, ices or strawberries.”“These slight refreshments are usually served in the simplest way. The hostess herself, or if the guests are numerous a white-capped bonne or two, pours out the tea and chocolate and the men of the party hand it to the ladies. Often the children of the house flit to and fro, carrying cups of tea or plates of cake, and everybody talks to everybody else. There will be the best pictures on the walls or the easels, often the best music from people the world knows well, and a reception thus simple in point of refreshment, but rich in the pleasures of art, is a memorable delight.”“Walking or carriage costumes are worn. Men wear morning dress. The hostess dons a handsome reception gown, never an evening dress. The young ladies who assist her are prettily clad in fabrics that suit the season, but which must not suggest ball toilet.”The table “itself may be a small oval, circular or hexagon shape. Any one of these is preferable to a square one. If the surface of the table is highly polished and it is preferred not to cover it entirely, a handsome square or round centerpiece doily, which is only a dinner centerpiece, is used, or a teacloth a yard square may prettily and wholly veil it.”“Another beautiful effect is to do away with the cloth and let the polished wood of the table set the keynote of color. An oak table, with its rich yellows and browns and its lurking suggestions of green, would afford a color scheme with which all shades of amber, bronze, and yellow would blend.”Upon this “are required a tea caddy, teapot, a hot water kettle, a cosy, a wafer or cracker dish, two or three pretty cups and saucers, cream jug and sugar bowl.”“To measure the tea with a spoon is not considered quite so correct, and so redolent of the old-time flavor as to use the cup-cover of the caddy, ‘one fill to a brew.’ A glass mat may be provided to set the hot teapot upon, and the spoons are laid loose upon the table.”“Cups should hold more than an actual thimbleful, though they need not hold a pint, and should bear some relation to the laws of gravitation in their poise upon the saucer. They should have a smooth rim. A fluted edge is a most uncomfortable finish for a drinking vessel. The wafer-basket may be silver, china, or cut glass.”“Pretty teapots for the five o’clock tea table are of rosewood in a pinkish brown and in the usual olive coloring. The handles of the lids are butterflies, and a butterfly is on the handle used for pouring. Some of these elegant little pots are overlaid with a tracery of silver. Teapots interred for Easter favors are of brown porcelain in the form of a chicken with the mouth doing duty for the spout.”Modern MannersPublished in 1899“At the afternoon reception the hostess may wear a handsome demi-toilet, cut low in the throat if she wishes, and made of satin, silk or velvet; but she should not wear the full evening dress, nor her expensive jewelry or laces. She may have two or three friends to receive with her. The guests wear handsome reception dresses or the tailor-made street costumes now so popular…and they are expected to keep their bonnets and gloves on.”“The gentlemen wear the morning dress on all these occasions. Overcoats and umbrellas should be left in the hall or dressing-room, when one is provided, but hats may be carried into the drawing-room.”“Visitors do not usually stay more than half an hour at these receptions, although when they are especially interested they often stay an hour or more. They circulate freely, talk with each other, or listen to music or whatever is provided for their entertainment.”“The refreshments are light, as the guests usually care more for the social intercourse than for anything else. Tea, coffee, chocolate, or bouillon, with ices, cakes, fruits, and sandwiches, may be served by members of the family…”“A ‘high tea’ as it is called in England is like the old New England tea party, with the addition of some cold dishes. The lady may sit at one end of the table, with the tea-tray before her, and the gentleman at the other, with a cold chicken or some similar dish to carve. It gives a solid meal to those who are accustomed to dine at that hour, as salads are usually passed, and occasionally scalloped oysters, together with hot biscuits, cakes, etc. This meal is frequently served on Sunday evening to relieve the servants; but while it is easier for the cook, it does not relieve the others, as there are quite as many dishes to wash, and as much service is needed.” Wish you could attend an event like this? You can!

I’ll be holding a Book Launch Dessert Tea Friday, May 20 at 5:00. Join me for tea and scones while I share a reading and Q&A! I’ll be sharing more about the writing and research behind the newest book in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries: Cupboards All Bared! Copies of both books will be available at a discount at the event!

This event will include an endless teapot with your choice of tea, one dessert, two mini scones, and fruit. RSVP today right here. $20 holds your place and covers everything including tax and gratuity!

I look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to receive a formal invitation to this event!

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Newspaper Clippings: April 16, 1901

Some of my favorite “easter eggs” to sprinkle throughout the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries are the references to events I found while reading through The Spokesman-Review for the days I’ve set the stories.

At the end of one particular day in Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, Marian Kenyon sits back and flips through the April 16, 1901 edition of The Spokesman-Review. Readers might recognize the following articles which were referenced in the story…

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As the first article shown suggests, President McKinley is on his way to Spokane #onthisday in history! I’ll be sharing more articles as we count down to the release of Book 2 in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries so that by the time the book releases—May 17—you’ll know everything the characters know!

If you’d like to read the entirety of the Tuesday, April 16, 1901 edition, head here. You can find a list of all the dates covered in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries here.

What was your favorite find in these old newspapers?

I’d love to hear in the comments!

Be sure to sign up for my newsletter! You’ll also receive my latest short story, “Murder for a Jar of Red Rum,” by signing up.boo

You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Goodreads—while you’re over there, be sure to follow my author profile and add Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker and Cupboards All Bared to your Want to Read List. Following an author ensures you’ll be the first to hear when a new book is released or a giveaway is happening!

Thank you so much for reading!

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Italian Cornbread Recipe

Wondering what to make for Easter dinner next weekend? I’ve got an incredible, super simple, unique recipe for you!

In the second book in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries, Cupboards All Bared, Roslyn Carew is desperately trying to find a new cook to satiate her husband and brother-in-law’s never-ending appetites. One of the cooks that comes her way is Signora Magro, an Italian chef who introduces them to some new foods, like Italian Cornbread.

But what does Italian Cornbread have to do with the new book? Well, you’ll just have to read to find out! (At least now you’ll know where to find the recipe when you hit that part of the book!)

Second question: Is there really such a thing as Italian Cornbread?

You bet! Known as “Pane di granturco” the only real difference between Italian Cornbread and Southern Cornbread is using polenta instead of cornmeal. However, a quick search on the internet will show you the variety of cornbreads—Italian, Southern, or otherwise—is vast.

To that end, I’ll be sharing a recipe that’s a little bit Southern, a little bit Italian, just like me!

Every time I bring these muffins to an event, someone asks me for the recipe. Now you can share it, too!

If you try this recipe, be sure to tell me in the comments how it goes! Also tell me: are you a pure butter fan or honey all the way?

Be sure to tell your friends about the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries today! Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker is available in print, ebook, and audiobook; you can also request it through your local library! The sequel, Cupboards All Bared, is now available for pre-order!

To learn more about my writing and books, search my website. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Goodreads—while you’re over there, be sure to follow my author profile and add Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker and Cupboards All Bared to your Want to Read List. Following an author ensures you’ll be the first to hear when a new book is released (coming soon!) or a giveaway is happening!

Sign up for my newsletter to receive my newest blogs delivered straight to your inbox. You’ll receive my latest short story, “Murder for a Jar of Red Rum,” for free for signing up!

Thank you so much for reading! Have a blessed Easter weekend!

The post Italian Cornbread Recipe appeared first on Patricia Meredith, Author.

Cupboards All Bared COVER REVEAL

It’s time! I am so excited to reveal to you all the cover for the second book in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries, Cupboards All Bared!

“Murder, con games, and assassination in 1901 Washington state with the President’s life on the line. Ms. Meredith writes another taut and tightly plotted thriller in the Spokane Clock Tower series, one not to be missed!”

— New York Times bestselling author William H Keith

In this sequel to Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, we’re once again transported to Spokane, 1901…

A body discovered in Hangman Creek looks to be the result of an accidental fall, but what begins as a “simple” mystery for Thomas Carew and his twin brother Bernard quickly becomes a lot more complicated, including implications that tie in with the bombings at the Idaho mines, and perhaps even President McKinley’s planned visit. It’s been one month since the events of the first book, and readers will enjoy engaging once again with the full cast of quirky characters, from Marian and Archie to Thomas and Bernard, with a couple new faces thrown in.

Those familiar with Spokane will love the entangled web that takes them from Hangman Creek to the Campbell House and the Montvale, ensuring that this story couldn’t be set anywhere but our beloved Spokane.

Cupboards All Bared is Book 2 in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries.

And now the moment has come…

Drum roll please…

Cover designed on Canva by Patricia Meredith

If you’ve read the first book, I wonder if you see what I’m doing with the cover images? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments?????

Cupboards All Bared is the second in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries and will be available in all your favorite formats: print, ebook, and audiobook wherever books are sold. Narrator Rebecca Cook (Spokane local!) once again brings to life the story’s narrative and characters in a way that will make you feel like you’re standing in the midst of the action.

You can pre-order the ebook now, print and audiobook coming soon!

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It’s never too early to start asking your library if they’ll be getting a copy! The more requests they get, the more likely they are to make it available. (I LOVE libraries!)

I hope you’ll do me the honor of adding Cupboards All Bared to your pre-order list today and to your To Read List on Goodreads!

I can’t wait to share more about this historical mystery in the coming months as we count down to publication!

If you want to be the first to hear about the latest updates regarding Cupboards All Bared, be sure to sign up for my newsletter! You’ll also receive my latest short story, “Murder for a Jar of Red Rum,” by signing up.

You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Goodreads—while you’re over there, be sure to follow my author profile. Following an author ensures you’ll be the first to hear when a new book is released or a giveaway is happening!

Thank you so much for reading!

Don’t forget, this is the second book in the series, so if you haven’t already, you’ll want to pick up a copy of Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker first! Also available in print, ebook, and audiobook wherever books are sold!

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BBCT Character Creation

I love learning how writers discover their characters.

When I first saw The Man Who Invented Christmas, I absolutely loved how finding the right name for Scrooge allows him to come into existence. And then he follows Dickens around, along with the other characters as they are created!

This is so true!

Since I previously shared a list of all the characters in Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, I thought it’d be fun to let you in on the secret of how the main characters came to be. Grab a cup of coffee and let me introduce them to you.

(If you have not read my book yet, I strongly suggest you do so before continuing to read! As River Song says: “Spoilers!”)  How It All Began

Originally, way back in October 2013, when I pounded out my first draft in a month and was convinced it was amazing (did I mention I was 7 months pregnant and crazy hormonal?), my basis for the story hitched a ride on my love for twisted fairy tales.

Ella Enchanted is one of my all-time favorite books (yes, book, NOT the terrible movie that basically took the title and the premise and rewrote the story). It’s tied for my favorite version of Cinderella with Ever After and Dinorella (kids’ picture book—look it up sometime, it’s hilarious).

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs was one of my favorite picture books growing up, too. And Robin Hood was my imaginary prince figure in all my make-believe adventures. (The Disney fox one. Come on, he’s without a doubt the cutest Robin yet.)

As an adult, when I discovered Jasper Fforde’s Nursery Crime series, well, let’s just say those books are the reason my story was originally set in Wales. Even Stephen Lawhead’s version of the legend of Robin Hood, based in a more historically accurate setting, tinged my imagination.

Marian Kenyon

All this to say, the first character to introduce herself was Marian Kenyon, who was born of this love. Her ties to Robin Hood in the book are clear, but did you catch the other character on which she’s based?

I’ll give you a few hints:

she lives with her grandmother, who diesher father was a woodcuttershe has red hairand she’s named after Hood’s love…

That’s right: Little Red Riding Hood.

As you can see, it’s only loose foundations, mostly because originally the story was more twisted fairy tale than historical fiction. When I moved it out of the more magical Wales and into the historical setting of Spokane, I decided I wanted a story more in the line of a twisted history, which became more grounded in reality as I rewrote the new draft.

But I kept the foundations of my characters where they’d originally been planted, so they didn’t change too much from who they’ve always been. 

So who’s everyone else?

Archie Prescot

Let’s start with his description:

He’s largewith goggly eyessome might consider him ugly, or even…ranarianbut he’s a sweetheart with a heart of gold who we hope ends up with Marian…

That’s right! He’s the Frog Prince.

So yes, I hope he ends up with Marian, too, but if there’s anything writing has taught me, it’s never paint your characters into a corner. They might just surprise you.

The Carews

How about the Carew brothers?

When I first introduce Bernard, I describe him as being bear-like, and Thomas, as his twin is the same. I also designed their home to follow the Victorian Swiss furniture motif of bears. So twin bear brothers…

Bernard’s wife is Roslyn, and she’s in a wheelchair—bed-ridden—with golden hair and red lips.

That’s right: she’s Sleeping Beauty.

In the original Grimm fairy tale, Rose Red and Snow White, the girls marry men who are enchanted as bears!

So what does this mean for Thomas? Well, Snow White is out there somewhere, just waiting for him…

The Sigmunds

Eleanor and Cecil Sigmund are from the fairy tale The Cat Who Married a Mouse. I describe Eleanor as mouse-like and her husband as like a tabby cat.

But as I came to know her more, I realized Eleanor is also Cinderella with her love of cleaning. I hope she can find a true prince someday…

The Others

Gladys Mitchell is the fairy godmother, making all the inventors’ dreams come true.

Or is she?

The Baker is, of course, Hansel and Gretel’s witch, who bakes little children in her oven and loves sweets.

Matsumoto did not begin based on any fairy tale, though you’d think so sometimes. I fall in love with him more with each passing moment. (He tells me he wants to take the lead in a future story, and I have every intention of letting him.)

Mrs. Curry and Jennings came with the house when the story moved to Spokane.

To Be Continued…

So, how many did you guess correctly?

I will say, since moving the book to Spokane, many of these characters became much more historically based than fairy tale based. For example, when I learned that we knew the name of the company that designed the clock in the Spokane Clock Tower but not the name of the actual designer, I knew that was a great place to slip in a made-up character amongst the historical ones, thus giving Archie Prescot a more “distinctive porpoise” (his words, not mine ).

Many of these characters will be appearing in the sequel (coming May 2022!) and perhaps continually over the course of the Spokane Clock Tower series. I look forward to meeting many more characters, and learning more about these ones along the way!

Please tell me: Who’s your favorite character so far?

Be sure to tell your friends about Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker today! Available in print, ebook, and audiobook, you can also request it through your local library!

To learn more about my writing and books, search my website. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Goodreads—while you’re over there, be sure to follow my author profile and add Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker to your Want to Read List. Following an author ensures you’ll be the first to hear when a new book is released (coming soon!) or a giveaway is happening!

Sign up for my newsletter to receive my newest blogs delivered straight to your inbox. You’ll receive my latest short story, “Murder for a Jar of Red Rum,” for free for signing up!

Thank you so much for reading!

The post BBCT Character Creation appeared first on Patricia Meredith, Author.

Character List for Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker

Do you remember when Downton Abbey first aired and nobody could keep all the characters straight? Was he the butler or the footman? Whose mother is she? Who was Daisy again? And yet, three episodes in and we were all hooked and so invested in the characters it seemed amazing to us that we had once been unable to recall how exactly Matthew Crawley was related to the Earl of Grantham.

Although every author strives to ensure each of their characters is unique and that readers never, ever, ever forget what they look like, even the most dedicated reader can sometimes wish they had a cheat sheet to help them keep everyone straight—especially if they have to take a break in reading because life happens and time passes before they can resume reading (or listening to the audiobook).

I know, heaven-forbid life gets in the way of our reading, but if it should while reading Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, I wanted to offer you a quick and easy way to reassociate yourself with the characters.

This list could also be helpful in facilitating the discussion of BBCT at a book club get-together! In fact, this idea was suggested to me at a book club I recently had the honor of attending, so thank you for inviting me and suggesting the idea!

Point of View (POV) Characters

In order of appearance

Bernard Carew

The newest detective in the Spokane Police, Bernard is eager to prove himself to his fellow detectives by taking on a case other than burglary. He lives with his wife Roslyn, his twin brother Thomas, and Mr. Prescot is currently lodging with them. He is a tall, large man of Welsh-Italian heritage, with a heavy black mustache and matching eyebrows.

The Red Rogue

A mysterious thief breaking into homes all across Spokane…with a penchant for candlesticks.

Archie Prescot

Almost thirty, Archie has traveled all the way from Connecticut to design the clock for the new Great Northern Railroad Depot. While in Spokane, he is lodging with the Carews. In his off-time, he creates inventions in the field of sound theory. He is pear-shaped with large glasses he constantly is pushing back up his nose, above an attempt at a mustache. He also has a tendency to speak in malapropisms—using the wrong word in the wrong place.

Marian Kenyon

A young red-haired woman born and raised in Spokane who’s spent the last five years in Seattle where she worked as a photographer. Marian has recently returned to close up the house of the woman who raised her, her dear grandmother, Nain.

Eleanor Sigmund

A maid-of-all-work for Miss Mitchell up on the South Hill. Eleanor is in her forties and married to Cecil Sigmund, who also works for Miss Mitchell. Together they live above the carriage house.

Thomas Carew

The twin brother of Bernard Carew, Thomas makes a point of looking different by keeping his face clean-shaven. Always to be found with either food or a quip upon his lips, he is an officer in the Spokane Police like his brother.

Side CharactersGladys Mitchell

A local patroness of the sciences, she lives in a large house at the very edge of town. She is an elegant woman with long brown hair who likes to turn men’s heads.

Mrs. Curry

Miss Mitchell’s cook, she has chestnut-brown curls streaked with gray, and hazel eyes that can guess your favorite food just by looking at you.

Reginald Jennings

Miss Mitchell’s butler, a tall man with a prodigious nose, down the length of which he is fond of looking.

Cecil Sigmund

Groundskeeper and chauffeur to Miss Mitchell and husband of Eleanor, he has orange hair and a smile like a tabby cat’s.

Hayate Matsumoto

A blind Japanese blacksmith currently working under the patronage of Miss Mitchell on technological advancements using sound.

Historical Characters

Chief of Police William W. Witherspoon

Detectives Dougald McPhee, Alexander MacDonald, John McDermott, and Martin Burns

Desk Sergeant George Hollway

Patrol Wagon Driver Walter Lawson

Officer William Shannon

Captain James Coverly

Coroner Nathan M. Baker

Patent Lawyer L.L. Westfall

[To learn more about these particular characters, please head over to my blog about the Historical Characters in Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker.]

And there you have it! Feel free to copy and paste this list into a document for yourself or bookmark this page for use later. I’ll be offering a similar thing for future books as the list of the characters in this historical fiction “world” lengthens!

If you don’t need this list now, you might find you want it when you read the sequel, Cupboards All Bared, releasing May 2022! If you want to be the first to hear about the cover reveal for the sequel, be sure to sign up for my newsletter! You’ll also receive my latest short story, “Murder for a Jar of Red Rum,” by signing up.

You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Goodreads—while you’re over there, be sure to follow my author profile and add Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker to your Want to Read List. Following an author ensures you’ll be the first to hear when a new book is released or a giveaway is happening!

Thank you so much for reading!

The post Character List for Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker appeared first on Patricia Meredith, Author.

Pi Day Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Happy Pi Day!

In honor of Pi Day (because it’s 3/14 ), I thought I’d share a recipe for chicken pot pie mentioned in Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker!

Nain’s chicken pot pie recipe is a family recipe we’ve used for years!

If you’d rather make things easier on yourself, you can replace the roux with a can of cream of potato or cream of chicken soup. You can also switch out the vegetables to whatever you prefer!

This is my favorite version of chicken pot pie, by far! I hope you enjoy it as much as our family does.

Will Thomas ever get a slice of chicken pot pie? Will Mrs. Curry’s taste as good as Nain’s?

You’ll have to read Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker to find out! Available in print, ebook, and audiobook, you can also request it through your local library!

Be sure to search my website to learn more about my writing and the inspiration behind my books. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Goodreads—while you’re over there, be sure to follow my author profile and add Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker to your Want to Read List. Following an author ensures you’ll be the first to hear when a new book is released (coming soon!) or a giveaway is happening!

Sign up for my newsletter to receive my newest blogs delivered straight to your inbox. You’ll receive my latest short story, “Murder for a Jar of Red Rum,” for free for signing up!

Thank you so much for reading! Let me know how that pie turns out!

The post Pi Day Chicken Pot Pie Recipe appeared first on Patricia Meredith, Author.