Lee Strauss's Blog, page 2

5 notable trends and traditions of a 1927 English Christmas + Murder at Yuletide

Having written 2 short stories, one novella and one full novel featuring Ginger Gold in the 1920s, I thought it would be interesting to take a deeper dive into what an English Christmas looked like back then. The full novel called Murder at Yuletide is set at the end of 1927, I thought I'd focus on that year. 

Here are 5 trends and traditions of a 1927 English Christmas: 

1. A 1927 English Christmas: Popular Traditions and Trends

Christmas in 1927 England blended age-old traditions with the burgeoning modernity of the Roaring Twenties. Families decorated their trees with candles, tinsel, and handcrafted ornaments. Though I remember tinsel being an integral part of my childhood Christmas memories, I can't imagine decorating a tree, especially a real one, with candles. How did they manage to keep their houses from burning down? 

The warmth of family gatherings and church services created a comforting holiday atmosphere. Christmas cards featuring traditional snowy scenes were exchanged, and carolers filled the crisp winter air with festive songs. Both of these things have gone the way of the dinosaur, at least where I live. 

While the Jazz Age influence was present, it had not yet fully reshaped Christmas celebrations. Flapper fashion and jazz music made appearances at festive parties, but these trends became more common by the following year. 

 

2. Christmas in 1927: What Was on the Menu?

The Christmas feast in 1927 followed the cherished traditions of roast goose or turkey, accompanied by stuffing, roasted root vegetables, and gravy. Mince pies, Christmas cake, and spiced mulled wine added to the festive cheer. Plum pudding (not the kind of pudding we find in Canada), often prepared weeks in advance, was a centerpiece dessert, served flaming with a drizzle of brandy. This tradition inspired my novella, Murder by Plum Pudding.

Economic challenges, lingered from the General Strike of 1926, a social event mentioned in Murder on Fleet Street. In May of 1926 the strike resulted in uprisings and chaos in the streets and brought much of England’s trades and transit to a halt for several days. 

As a result not every family could afford such lavish spreads. Many households adapted by focusing on home-cooked, seasonal ingredients and sharing meals with neighbors and extended family. This practicality didn’t diminish the joy of the holiday meal but instead reinforced the communal spirit of the time.

3. Gifts Under the Tree: Popular Christmas Presents in 1927

Christmas gifts in 1927 reflected a mix of timeless charm and emerging trends. Children might wake to find wooden toys, tin soldiers, or dollhouses under the tree, while board games like Snakes and Ladders provided fun for the whole family. Books were a popular and thoughtful choice, with classic stories like Peter Pan and Treasure Island being perennial favorites.

Adults tended to exchange practical yet personal gifts. Women often received hand-embroidered linens, gloves, or scarves, while men unwrapped shaving kits, tie pins, or leather wallets. For the more affluent, gramophone records or even a radio set were considered cutting-edge presents, though they were still out of reach for many households in 1927.

4. The Spirit of Giving: Charitable Acts and Community in 1927

In the aftermath of the General Strike of 1926, the Christmas of 1927 had a heightened focus on charity and community support. Churches and local organizations worked to ensure that struggling families had a reason to celebrate. Christmas hampers filled with essentials like tea, sugar, and small treats were distributed to those in need, while “Penny Dinners” offered warm meals for the poorest.

5. Christmas at the Cinema: Films and Entertainment in 1927

In 1927, the cinema was a favorite holiday pastime, with families flocking to watch silent films accompanied by live music. Classics like It starring Clara Bow and festive-themed shorts were popular choices. The release of The Jazz Singer in October 1927 had just introduced "talkies" to the world, but they were still a rarity, and most theaters featured silent films.

Live entertainment was also a key part of the season, with theaters staging pantomimes and festive plays that delighted audiences of all ages. Meanwhile, jazz music continued to gain popularity, making its way into Christmas parties and dance halls, adding a touch of modern flair to the holiday festivities. For most, however, Christmas in 1927 was still steeped in tradition, with the cinema and music providing an exciting glimpse of the future.

Did you learn anything new? I think looking back helps to bring gratitude for what we have, but also a reminder to not let certain things we cherish disappear.

If you're looking for a cozy Christmas murder mystery here are the two I mentioned.

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MURDER AT YULETIDE

AUDIO BOOK ON SALE UNTIL JANUARY

EBOOK

PAPERBACK

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MURDER BY PLUM PUDDING

 

EBOOK

PAPERBACK

AUDIO

*

Not to forget the short stories!

EBOOK 

PAPERBACK

The impact of elections from 100 years ago in the 1920s -What can we learn?

FOR THE RECORD - I'm writing and posting this BEFORE the 2024 US Election. I don't, at the time of this writing, know who won (or who is winning) the election.

Sometimes when I'm writing about the circumstances and situations of the 1920s, I forget that the time period is 100 years ago. Maybe because I'm a child of the sixties, and my grandfather was born in the 20s, and it didn't seem that far away back then. Time is a funny thing, isn't it?

If you'd rather not read about politics - scroll to the end to see my MORE BOOKS catalogue and get 10% off your first order.

*I'm not an expert at political history, so I turned to the internet for information. The bold font is mine to highlight key information for those of you who like to skim.

I asked:  In the US and UK in the 1920s, what were the significant elections that brought good or bad changes.

ChatGPT said:

The 1920s in both the US and UK saw elections that set significant political and social changes in motion. Here’s a rundown of some of the most impactful elections of the decade:

United States

1920 Presidential Election (Warren G. Harding and running mate Calvin Coolidge win)

Context: After World War I, the United States was weary of international involvement and the idealism that characterized Woodrow Wilson’s presidency.

Outcome: Harding ran on a "return to normalcy" platform, promising to focus on domestic concerns. His presidency marked a conservative shift, scaling back progressive reforms and embracing pro-business policies.

 

 

Impact: Harding’s administration was marred by scandals (notably the Teapot Dome* READ TO THE END if you want to more about what this is), which damaged public trust in the government. However, his policies encouraged the economic boom of the Roaring Twenties, albeit at the expense of long-term economic stability.

1924 Presidential Election (Calvin Coolidge re-elected)

Context: Harding's sudden death in 1923 led to Vice President Coolidge assuming office. Known for his laissez-faire approach, Coolidge represented stability.

Outcome: Coolidge won the election with a message of limited government interference in business, appealing to those benefiting from the booming economy.

Impact: The pro-business stance continued, intensifying the economic growth of the 1920s. However, the lack of regulation contributed to financial practices that would ultimately lead to the 1929 Wall Street Crash.

1928 Presidential Election (Herbert Hoover wins)

Context: By 1928, the US was at the peak of the economic boom. Hoover, seen as an effective administrator and humanitarian, was expected to continue economic prosperity.

Outcome: Hoover’s election initially seemed to promise continued economic success, but the Great Depression hit in 1929.

Impact: Hoover struggled to manage the crisis, and his policies were widely viewed as inadequate, which led to increased public disillusionment with the government’s handling of the economy.

United Kingdom

1922 General Election (Conservatives under Andrew Bonar Law win)

Context: After World War I, the UK was dealing with economic challenges, high unemployment, and the decline of industries.

Outcome: The Conservative Party withdrew from the coalition government with the Liberals, and Bonar Law became Prime Minister.

Impact: The Conservatives gained a solid majority, setting the tone for Conservative dominance for much of the decade. This election also marked a decline in Liberal influence, with the Labour Party emerging as a significant political force.

1923 General Election (Conservatives under Stanley Baldwin win, but Labour forms first government in 1924)

Context: Baldwin, who succeeded Bonar Law, called a snap election to gain support for tariff reform, but the Conservatives lost seats.

Outcome: With no clear majority, the Labour Party, under Ramsay MacDonald, formed its first minority government in 1924.

Impact: Although MacDonald’s government was short-lived, it was historic as the first Labour government. It established Labour as a viable alternative to the Conservatives, signaling a shift toward more representation for the working class.

 

1924 General Election (Conservatives under Stanley Baldwin return to power)

Context: The Labour government fell after a scandal involving a Soviet letter, seen as an attempt to discredit Labour.

Outcome: Baldwin’s Conservatives won a substantial victory, which allowed him to pursue a more conservative agenda.

Impact: Baldwin’s government maintained social stability but did little to address economic issues, and traditional industries continued to decline, setting the stage for increased labor unrest and calls for reform.

1929 General Election (Labour under Ramsay MacDonald wins again)

Context: Unemployment and economic issues were worsening in the UK, and Labour campaigned on addressing workers' needs.

Outcome: Labour won the largest number of seats, though still short of a majority.

Impact: MacDonald’s government faced enormous challenges, as the Great Depression struck soon after. Labour’s inability to fully tackle the economic crisis would lead to its downfall and splits within the party, and it intensified calls for government responsibility in managing the economy.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

In the US, elections in the 1920s favored conservative, pro-business policies, creating a boom-bust cycle that contributed to the 1929 crash and Great Depression.

In the UK, the elections signaled a shift from the Liberal Party to a Conservative-Labour rivalry, with Labour gaining ground as a representation of the working class, though struggling to manage economic crises.

  A hundred years can bring perspective and insight to what really happened and the long-reaching impacts. I wonder what the records will say a hundred years from now?

WHAT DO YOU THINK? PLEASE LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS.

 

MORE BOOKS BY LEE STRAUSS

You might be aware of my cozy mystery series books, but did you know I also have books in other genres like Sweet Romance, Young Adult, Thriller Suspense and Middle Grade. I also have cozy historical mystery short stories.

Check them out and get 10% off your first order!

 

WHAT IS THE TEAPOT DOME?The Teapot Dome was a major political scandal in the United States in the early 1920s, involving the secret leasing of federal oil reserves by government officials. It took its name from the Teapot Dome oil field in Wyoming, one of the oil reserves involved. Here’s a summary of what happened:

Context:

After World War I, the U.S. Navy sought to secure oil reserves for military use, so the government set aside several oil fields as emergency reserves. The two primary reserves were at Teapot Dome in Wyoming and Elk Hills in California.These oil fields were intended to be kept under federal control to ensure they would be available in times of national crisis.

The Scandal:

In 1921, Albert B. Fall, Secretary of the Interior under President Warren G. Harding, convinced Harding to transfer control of these oil reserves from the Navy Department to the Department of the Interior.Fall then secretly leased the Teapot Dome oil field to Harry F. Sinclair of Mammoth Oil and the Elk Hills field to Edward L. Doheny of Pan American Petroleum.These leases were awarded without competitive bidding, which was unusual for federal leases, and both Sinclair and Doheny made substantial payments to Fall, amounting to bribes of over $400,000 (about $6 million today).

Discovery and Investigation:

In 1922, rumors of corruption led to a Senate investigation, spearheaded by Senator Thomas J. Walsh of Montana.The investigation revealed the secretive deals, and Fall’s acceptance of bribes became public knowledge.The scandal rocked the Harding administration and became symbolic of the corruption associated with his presidency.

Aftermath:

Albert B. Fall was convicted of accepting bribes and became the first U.S. Cabinet official to be imprisoned for crimes committed while in office.Harry Sinclair was also convicted of contempt of Congress and served time in prison for his role.The Teapot Dome Scandal severely damaged the public's trust in government and highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability.

The Teapot Dome Scandal remains one of the most infamous examples of corruption in U.S. political history, often cited alongside Watergate as a hallmark of government corruption.

What was it like to give birth in the 1920s?

My son and his wife recently had a baby boy - my first grandchild! Such a wonder! Both mama and baby are in good health as is daddy, though both parents are a bit sleep deprived at the moment. 

It's been thirty years since I had my last baby, and things have changed since then, at least in my city. When I had my babies in the late 80s and early 90s, it felt very progressive to have the father in the delivery room. That certainly wasn't the case for my mother when she gave birth to me in the 60s. Then, my father slept a recliner in the waiting room while my mother was alone with the doctor and nurses, only to be startled awake by a nurse holding a swaddled newborn who announced, "You have a daughter."

When it was my turn to give birth, my husband was in the room witnessing new life with his own blurry eyes. Then he got to go home to sleep, and the kind nurses took my baby to the shared nursery so I could sleep, bringing my child to me every few hours to nurse. Visitors could come to the maternity ward and view all the newborns in their bassinets through a large window, guessing which baby was the one they were there to see.

Not so anymore. 

Now the baby goes directly into the hospital room with both parents and stays with them. Dad has a cot to sleep in beside mom's hospital bed, and they're basically on their own, day and night, except for when the nurses pop in. Talk about jumping into the deep end without knowing how to swim! As soon as baby and mom are deemed healthy to go, they are gone. No extended hospital stays to rest up.

My daughter-in-law was in post-op (after a planned c-section) for 2hrs, and the whole time my son and his son were in their room alone together. "I've never been alone with a baby before," he said. Thankfully, he's a quick study. I can see the benefits to this. It's super scary for new parents, intense and intimidating, but it's a case--to stay with the pool analogy--of sink or swim.

The changes over three generations made me wonder what the delivery experience really would've been like for someone in Ginger Gold's time in the 1920s. 

Giving birth in the 1920s was a very different experience compared to modern times, both in terms of medical practices and social expectations. 

Here's what the internet has to say:

1. Medical EnvironmentHome Births Were Common: In the early 1920s, most women still gave birth at home, assisted by a midwife or general practitioner (GP). Hospitals were becoming more common for childbirth, but they were often seen as places for complicated births or emergencies.Hospital Births Increasing: By the late 1920s, hospital births were becoming more prevalent, particularly in urban areas, but they were still not the norm for everyone. Hospitals provided more sterile environments and access to trained doctors, but there was also a higher risk of medical intervention, including forceps deliveries, which were sometimes overused.Midwives: In rural or working-class areas, midwives were often the primary caregivers for childbirth. They usually lacked formal training, but many had significant practical experience.2. Pain ReliefTwilight Sleep: One of the significant developments in childbirth during the 1920s was the introduction of Twilight Sleep, a form of pain relief using a combination of scopolamine and morphine. It didn’t relieve pain completely but made women forget the experience by inducing semi-consciousness. It was popular because it was seen as a way to shield women from the pain and trauma of labor, but it often left women disoriented and unable to fully participate in their delivery.Lack of Control: Women under Twilight Sleep often had no memory of giving birth and were sometimes restrained because the drug could make them thrash or become uncooperative. While it promised pain relief, it came with risks like prolonged labor, complications for the baby, or even harm to the mother.3. Medical InterventionsForceps Delivery: Forceps were commonly used during difficult deliveries. Doctors sometimes overused them, especially in hospital births, leading to injuries for both mother and baby. With less understanding of proper use, this tool could be both lifesaving and harmful.Caesarean Section: C-sections were rare and often a last resort in the 1920s. They carried significant risk because of less advanced surgical techniques and the lack of antibiotics to prevent infections.4. Prenatal CareLimited Knowledge: Prenatal care was not as systematic as it is today. Women might not have seen a doctor regularly during pregnancy unless complications arose. Advice was often based on folklore, family traditions, or the advice of midwives.Nutritional and Lifestyle Recommendations: There was little emphasis on nutrition, though women were often advised to get rest and avoid strenuous activity. Smoking was not widely discouraged during pregnancy, and alcohol consumption was still common.5. Infant Mortality and Maternal HealthHigh Infant Mortality: Despite advances in medicine, infant mortality rates were still high in the 1920s, especially for lower-income families. Infections, complications during delivery, and poor sanitation were significant factors.Maternal Mortality: Childbirth was a dangerous time for mothers as well. Without antibiotics, infections such as puerperal fever (postpartum infections) were common causes of death. Hemorrhaging and other complications during delivery were also life-threatening without modern surgical interventions.6. Social ExpectationsChildbirth Seen as Natural but Private: Childbirth was often considered a natural but private event. Many women had several children during their lifetimes, and pain during labor was seen as a normal part of the process. Discussions about childbirth were often kept within female circles, and there wasn’t much public or medical discourse about improving the childbirth experience.Social Pressure on Motherhood: Women were expected to become mothers, and those who didn’t were often stigmatized. There was strong pressure to bear children, and having a large family was seen as a sign of success. For middle- and upper-class women, motherhood was often idealized as a woman’s primary role.Birth Control: Although discussions around birth control were becoming more common by the 1920s, it was still controversial and not widely available. The Comstock Laws in the U.S. restricted information on contraception, and many women had limited control over the number of children they bore.7. Postpartum CareRest and Recovery: After childbirth, women were expected to rest, especially if the birth was difficult or they were part of a wealthier class. A period of confinement at home, typically around a month, was common, during which women recovered and were attended to by midwives or family members.Breastfeeding vs. Wet Nursing: Breastfeeding was common, though some wealthier women used wet nurses. By the 1920s, formula feeding was beginning to emerge as an option, but it wasn’t widespread until later in the century.8. Support SystemsFamily and Community Support: In working-class and rural communities, women often had help from female relatives, neighbors, or local midwives. These women formed the support network during labor, birth, and recovery.Professional Medical Help: Access to professional help was more common in cities, where doctors and hospitals were more available. However, many lower-income families still relied on community-based support rather than medical intervention.

Thanks Google! It's pretty clear that the fathers had very little to do when it came to bringing babies into the world and postnatal care.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? PLEASE LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS.

 

We've come a long way in 100 years. Men and women are more of a team when it comes to parenting, and being a hands on dad is not only the norm (in most cases) but expected. 

Ginger experienced the miracle of birth when her daughter Rosa was born. Rosa Reed has her own mystery series as an adult in the 1950s. 

Rosa's birth happened in Murder on Mallowan Court.

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Available as an ebook, in paperback and in audio.

Rosa Reed's first book is Murder at High Tide.

Available as an ebook, in paperback and in audio.

Don't miss the latest Ginger Gold, Murder at the Cave of Harmony

Preorder on Amazon

 

History Mystery Day + Who is Elizabeth Peters?

If you didn't know there was such a thing as history mystery day, you're not alone! But I think the genre is a worthy recipient of its own day. :) 

September 29th was chosen in honor of Elizabeth Peters of the popular Amelia Peabody series. If you love Egyptian themed mysteries with an archaeological setting, these books are for you.

Here's a link to the first book called Crocodile on the Sandbank (book 1 of 20)

So who is Elizabeth Peters, anyway? Here's what the internet has to say.

Elizabeth Peters, the pen name of Barbara Mertz, was a renowned American author best known for her historical mystery series featuring the Victorian-era Egyptologist Amelia Peabody. Born on July 2, 1927, she had a passion for archaeology and history, which heavily influenced her writing.The Amelia Peabody series, which began with "Crocodile on the Sandbank" in 1975, follows the adventures of Amelia, a strong-willed, unconventional woman who travels to Egypt during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The series is celebrated for its witty prose, rich historical detail, and engaging characters, blending mystery with humor and romance. a master's degree in 1950, and a PhD in Egyptology in 1952. She authored two books on ancient Egypt, Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs (1964; rev. ed. 2007) and Red Land, Black Land (1966; rev. ed. 2008) (both of which have been continuously in print since first publication).Mertz was also a feminist, a topic that frequently arose in her fiction, and in her professional life. Mertz founded "Malice Domestic", a Washington-based organization for women mystery writers, "because she thought men were getting all the prizes."She also started a scholarship for women writers.

A smart cookie

The cat, lol. I love that she chose this picture for promotion. There are several photos of her with a beloved cat. A woman after my own heart!

Sadly, Ms Peters passed away on August 8, 2013, but what a terrific legacy to leave behind.
To celebrate, I've joined several other fab history mystery authors in a joint giveaway. Who doesn't love free books! Check out this link and stock up your virtual shelves!
https://books.bookfunnel.com/hmdfreebooks/whoz2zgg8k
Finally, I've got a new Ginger Gold Mystery up for preorder. Murder at the Cave of Harmony Murder's off the scale!

Ginger Gold and her husband, Chief Inspector Basil Reed, enjoy a night out at the popular jazz club, the Cave of Harmony, run by the captivating Elsa Lancaster—a name well-known in London’s society pages in 1928. But after an evening of dancing and celebration, the trumpet player plays a sour note and drops dead. What initially seems like a sudden, natural death soon turns sinister. A murderer is on the loose, and the Cave of Harmony is anything but harmonious.

With Ginger’s sister-in-law, Felicia, and her intrepid assistant, Magna Jones by her side, can they catch the killer before another musician hits a deadly note?

 

On Amazon

1923 ~ Reviewing Murder on the SS Rosa + big announcement

Scroll to the bottom to see the big announcement.

I started the first draft of Murder on the SS Rosa in January 2017. I had no idea it would be the start of my "breakout series". Ginger Gold resonated with readers, and no one was more surprised than me at how popular the series became and that seven years later, there'd be 25 books, several short stories, and 2 spin off series. I thought it would be fun to take a look back. 

I'm not sure why I decided to start in 1923. Probably because it was five years after the Great War and that seemed long enough for characters to have gotten on with life without forgetting how horrible it was.

The world underwent profound changes during that period, setting the stage for much of the 20th century's social, political, and economic landscape.

The repercussions of World War I, the rise of new ideologies, economic instability, and cultural transformations all contributed to a period of intense flux and redefinition, shaping the course of history in significant ways.

1. End of World War I (1918):Armistice and Peace Treaties: The war officially ended on November 11, 1918, with the signing of the Armistice. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 formally ended the war between Germany and the Allied Powers. Dissolution of Empires: The Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, German, and Russian Empires collapsed, leading to the redrawing of borders in Europe and the Middle East. This dissolution resulted in the creation of new nations, such as Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Turkey.2. Political Changes:Rise of New Ideologies: The interwar period saw the rise of new political ideologies. The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 in Russia led to the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922, marking the rise of communism as a global force. Fascism began to gain traction in Italy, where Benito Mussolini came to power in 1922.3. Economic Upheaval:Post-War Economic Challenges: The war had devastated European economies, leading to widespread unemployment, inflation, and debt. The reparations imposed on Germany created a severe economic crisis, culminating in hyperinflation by 1923, where the German mark became virtually worthless.Reconstruction Efforts: The United States emerged as a global economic power, lending money to European nations for reconstruction. The Dawes Plan of 1924 was introduced to stabilize the German economy and ease the reparations burden.4. Social Changes:Women’s Rights Movement: The war had significantly altered the role of women in society, as many had taken on jobs traditionally held by men. This period saw a growing movement for women’s rights, including suffrage. Women gained the right to vote in several countries, including the United States in 1920 and the United Kingdom (for women over 30) in 1918.Cultural Shifts: The 1920s, often referred to as the "Roaring Twenties" or the "Jazz Age," saw significant cultural changes. There was a sense of liberation and modernity, with new forms of entertainment, fashion, and social norms emerging. 5. International Relations:League of Nations: The League of Nations was established in 1920 as part of the Treaty of Versailles. It was the first international organization aimed at maintaining world peace, though it was ultimately ineffective in preventing future conflicts.6. Technological Advances:Advances in Transportation and Communication: The period saw significant advancements in technology, including the proliferation of automobiles, airplanes, and radio. These innovations began to reshape daily life, enabling faster travel and communication.

All of this provided fertile ground for the creation of the character, Ginger Gold and her found family. I spent a lot of time thinking about what Ginger would be like. I wanted her to be strong, "modern", and likeable, while at the same time, challenged with difficult memories of the past, a history that would make her three dimensional. I needed her to have skills not normally found in women of that time, skills that would make her an extraordinary sleuth, so I decided she should be a former spy. I wanted to bridge the Atlantic, so to speak, so I made her both British and American. And if British, then she must be a Lady!

Though cars were becoming a a popular form of transportation, passenger air travel was still a long way away.The first non-stop transatlantic passenger flight was in 1939, flying from Southampton, England, to New York.

Which meant Ginger would have to travel by boat, and more specifically by steamship.

This era was part of the golden age of ocean liners, characterized by luxury, elegance, and a sense of adventure. Here’s a detailed description of steamship travel during that time:

1. The Ocean LinersTypes of Ships: The early 1920s saw the use of large, sophisticated ocean liners that were powered by steam engines. These ships were the pinnacle of maritime engineering, with companies like Cunard Line, White Star Line, and Hamburg America Line operating some of the most famous vessels.Speed and Power: Steam engines powered these liners, allowing them to travel at relatively high speeds for the time, averaging about 20-25 knots (23-29 mph). The crossing of the Atlantic Ocean typically took about 5-7 days, depending on the weather and the specific route.2. Passenger Experience

Class Structure: Steamship travel was divided into different classes, with first class being the most luxurious, followed by second class (or cabin class), and third class (often referred to as steerage).

First Class: This was the epitome of luxury, with passengers enjoying large, well-appointed cabins, fine dining, and access to a variety of amenities including libraries, smoking rooms, and grand dining halls. The service was impeccable, and the passengers were often affluent individuals, including celebrities, business magnates, and aristocrats.Second Class: Also known as cabin class, this provided comfortable accommodations with fewer luxuries than first class. Passengers in second class had access to decent cabins, shared dining facilities, and common areas.Third Class: This was the most basic form of accommodation, catering primarily to immigrants or those traveling on a budget. The quarters were often crowded and less comfortable, with passengers sharing large dormitory-style rooms. Despite the more austere conditions, third-class passengers were provided with adequate food and basic amenities.

Onboard Amenities: First-class passengers enjoyed a wide range of amenities, including opulent dining rooms with gourmet meals, smoking rooms, music lounges, and promenade decks where they could stroll and enjoy the sea air. The quality of the food and service was particularly high in first class, with multi-course meals served by attentive staff.

Social Life: Steamship travel was a social affair, especially in first and second class. Passengers dressed for dinner, attended formal balls, and engaged in socializing with fellow travelers. These voyages were not just a means of transportation but also a form of leisure, with passengers often mingling in the lounges, playing cards, reading in libraries, or attending concerts and other entertainments organized by the ship's crew.

Naturally, that meant a murder would take place on board!

Murder’s a pain in the bow!

It's 1923 and war widow fashionista Ginger Gold (a former British Secret Service Agent) makes a cross-Atlantic journey from Boston to London, England with her lovable Boston terrier and good friend, Nurse Higgins. When the ship's captain is found dead in a most intriguing fashion, Ginger is only too happy to lend her assistance to the handsome Chief Inspector Basil Reed. Wearing her Italian T-strap shoes and pretty cloche hat she must outwit the killer before she finds herself in a deadly pickle!

Buy on Amazon

or Directly from Lee

 

There's no question that one of the big attractions about the 1920s is the fashion.

There was a marked transformation during the twenty years from 1903 to 1923, when women started freeing themselves from the corset, long hair that required being kept in a loose updo, and gradually exposing more skin with shorter hems and sleeves, along with bobbed hair and tighter cloche hats. 

Men's fashion evolved as well, as demonstrated by this illustration.

Which brings me to the dapper gentleman of the series, Chief Inspector Basil Reed.

(Basil is pronounced with a soft a, not a long a as in the herb.)

Most cozy mysteries will introduce a love interest for the main character at some point, often a member of the police force, as it give the amateur sleuth access to information only the police have. The tension over official police work and what feels like amature interference, is a fun push-pull between characters who have an undeniable attraction to each other. This is usually a slow burn romance that advances over the course of many books, as it does with Ginger and Basil. In their case, though they are immediately drawn to one another each has a past that keeps them from acting on it, at least, right away.

A murder mystery naturally needs a body.

And when on a ship, who better than the captain to take the fall? And who would want to kill him? The embittered wife, the scorned girlfriend, the angry second-in-command? Perhaps, Ginger herself, to right a wrong against her late father? 

Writing a "who-dun-it" is like creating a literary puzzle. It's incumbent on the author to stay a step or two ahead of their clever reader ~ not an easy task!

My Big Announcement.

I've developed an online writing program called First Draft Framework for mystery readers who want to take a stab at writing their own murder mystery. (See what I did there, lol)

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In this small group pilot program, I’ll help you get from the first blank page to THE END of your first draft.

Do any of these sound familiar?

You’ve dreamed about writing a book.You don’t know how to get started.Or you’ve started but can’t finish.

Imagine how it would feel to…

Have a plan to get from start to finish.Have guidance by someone who’s done it many, many times.Enjoy  the feeling of creating and completing your first mystery novel.

IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS INTERESTING TO YOU, EMAIL ME AT LEESTRAUSSBOOKS@GMAIL.COM AND SAY "I'M INTERESTED." 

I'll reply with all the details. 

Do you have a favourite Poirot?

(Feature image illustrated by Bob Al-Green)

Agatha Christie's most popular character, Hercule Poirot, has been represented on screen by several actors.

David Suchet will always be Hercule in my mind. I absolutely adore his lovable, socially oblivious  version of the investigator.  Now that I've seen Alfred Molina as Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache, and a fantastic job he did of that role, that is who he remains to me. British Period Dramas took a vote and lists the top 5 HERE.

Kenneth Branagh is the most recent rendition of Hercule Poirot, famous now for his silver screen adaptations of some of Ms Christie's most famous work. I thought he did an admirable job in Murder on the Orient Express (arguably one of Agatha Christie's best works, perhaps after the Murder of Roger Ackroyd)  and also Murder on the Nile, but the harder edge he brings to the character doesn't really work for me.

I'm curious about his latest venture as Poirot in A Haunting in Venice (A Hallowe'en Party). The reviews I find online are mixed and I'm a little concerned about the horror element it apparently contains. HERE is what Rotten Tomatoes has to say.

Have you seen A Haunting in Venice? Are you going to see it? I'd love to hear what you think.

And who is your favorite Poirot?

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My kickstarter funded – and 1st stretch goal released

For those of you following my kickstarter campaign, I'm stoked to announce it funded on the first day! This unlocked the first stretch goal. If I reach $1400 Canadian (around $1000 USD) this cool art will be added in COLOR to the opening page.

PS: kickstarter's recent update is preventing some images from being seen, but I've posted it here for you.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/leestraussbooks/murder-at-hartigan-house-a-ginger-gold-mystery

You might recall in a previous post that I planned to launch my new website/shop at the same time. It turns out setting up an online store is a lot more work than I bargained for, so the revised launch date will be sometime in October. Stay turned, I plan to have a big FALL sale.

Also, THANK YOU to everyone who has been supporting my writing career all these years. Making a living as an author isn't as romanticized as the movies make it out to be. I'm not complaining as there's nothing else I'd rather be doing, but I couldn't do it without YOU!

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5 reasons Indie Authors are selling directly to readers

Indie publishing is coming into maturity.

Though some authors self-published before the dawn of the Kindle and Kindle Direct Publishing or KDP in 2007, the movement didn’t really get wind under its wings until then. Personally, I jumped in the fall of 2011, nearly twelve years ago. Things were certainly different for authors then, but thankfully many cottage industries have sprung up in the meantime, supporting independent authors, making our jobs a lot easier.

Still, it hasn’t been without its growing pains.

The biggest shift for authors who go it on their own is the realization that they’re no longer just creatives, but are now business people. Selling a product, whether you create it yourself or not, is by definition, a business transaction. And in order to sell, potential buyers need to know that what you’re selling exists. Visibility and discoverability are big and important buzz words in the indie book industry.

Giving credit where credit’s due, Amazon made finding readers a possibility for indie authors like never before, and most of us would say we owe our careers to the giant. Other retailers followed suit, but never truly reached the effectiveness of Amazon, such as Apple/ibooks, Barnes & Noble/Nook, Kobo, and Google Play.

So why are authors (seemingly en masse) suddenly setting up Shopify stores to bypass retailers and sell to their readers directly? (And why I’m launching my own shop – stay tuned!)As I mentioned, Indie authors are business people. Except, that unlike other business people, they don’t have control over their product pages. It would be like Starbucks paying to advertise their product, but having all the other coffee shops sneaking in their brands on the same page without paying for the privilege. Selling direct gives authors more control over their advertising and marketing efforts.They get data on who’s buying their books, which they don’t get with the retailers. It would be like The Gap not knowing who bought their clothes, so they can’t let their customers know they have more like it in the store on sale. Selling direct allows authors to know who their readers are so they can better serve them.Selling direct means authors can control pricing and offer sales and deals in a way that’s not possible for them when selling strictly through retailers.Setting up a store on Shopify also gives authors a way to sell fun book related merchandise like mugs and bookbags and T-shirts.Running a business naturally means tracking cash flow, which happens in real time when selling direct. Cash flow is important for keeping any business running in a healthy manner, and we all want our favorite authors to be able to afford to keep writing those books we love!Check out these Mystery Author stores.

Sara Rosett

https://sararosettbooks.com/en-ca

Denise Jaden

https://shop.denisejaden.com/

Diane Capri

https://shop.dianecapri.com/

Jenna Bennett

https://jennabennett.myshopify.com/

*Image by starline on Freepik

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It’s time to pivot – 2 big announcements & a heads up

The title of this post reminds me of that quintessential scene in the TV show Friends – if you know it, you know it!

Change is a part of life

If you're not changing, you're not growing, right? It's cliche but true, especially in the field of publishing. Ask any author and they'll tell you the speed in which things have changed in the last ten years is enough to give you whiplash. Several times over!

Sometimes a catalyst for change is when something new and better has been developed and it just makes sense to hop on board. For instance many cottage industries sprung up over the years that make an author/publisher's work a lot easier. Vellum for formatting instead of the dreaded html coding or even the difficulties working with microsoft word; Scrivener for organizing plot and character and so much more; bookfunnel for making it safe and easy to get early copies to reviewers.

Sometimes a change comes and it's just bad for authors. The most recent debate is over AI. Though it can be a good research tool, many bogus AI written books are being published to Amazon, clogging the lists for legitimate authors.

And sometimes it's hard to know if a new thing is good or not or if things just even out in the wash. In these types of cases authors usually fall on either side of the line and do what they think is best for their business, wishing the other guys success on their side. Kindle Unlimited falls in this camp. Some authors build their whole business on this role model and others prefer to go “wide” meaning, they sell their books at many retailers, not just Amazon. If you're unaware, authors have to sell their ebooks exclusively through Amazon to participate in Kindle Unlimited.

Kindle Unlimited seems like a win/win for readers and authors. Readers can read as many books they want for a low monthly subscription, and Amazon gives the author a bit more algorhythm love and pays a little bit per pages read that can really add up.

The problem for authors here is that they are not the rule makers and Amazon can and does change the rules often. One example is Amazon is paying authors less for these pages read as time goes on. This month the payout is the lowest it's been in the US since the program started.

Another problem with being completely reliant on one retailer is they can, and do, without warning shut down an author's publishing dashboard. That is an extreme case but I'm hearing about it a lot more than I'd like. Or they might refuse to publish a single title or a series. I've had this experience in a small way with one of my audio books. You might wonder why book 16, Murder in Belgravia, a Ginger Gold Mystery, isn't for sale on audible? It's not my decision, I can tell you that. All they'll report to me is that someone made a copyright claim and nothing I have said or done will change their mind (whoever they are) that this is a false claim. This is the sixteenth book in the series with established characters, etc.

It's not my intention to pick on Amazon, it's just that it's the retailer I'm most familiar with (and I'm very grateful for the opportunities Amazon through Kindle Direct Publishing has given me as an independent author.) Some authors have issues with the other retailers as well, and I hear the Apple dashboard can be difficult.

This is a long winded lead up to the first of my two announcements.

I'M GOING TO SELL DIRECT.
Sorry for shouting, but I'm actually really excited about this. Many, many authors are starting to sell directly to their readers and this is a win/win! I'll be launching my store next month, so stay tuned for more information on that. In my next blog, I'll provide links to other authors I think you'll enjoy so you can see how they've set up their store. You can sign up HERE to make sure you're first to hear when my store goes live.

This leads me to the Heads Up.

I'm one of those authors who have been all-in with Amazon for a very long time. For those of you who read my books in KU, take a deep breath. I'm not pulling all of my books out. I'm not pulling any Ginger Gold books out.
I am pulling some books out. Except for the first book, the Rosa Reed series has completed its three month enrollment. My backlist books are out. My backlist books contain my young adult books, the romances and the suspense series. You can still get the Rosa Reed Mystery bundles box 2 and 3 on KU for a short time. If you like young adult you can get the Clockwise Collection (the first book is available on KU through the box set, Seaweed and Love, Tink until September.

For now, the Higgins & Hawke books will stay in KU along with Ginger Gold (as I've already said, but feel it needs repeating. The exception is the intro novella, Murder on the SS Rosa, but since it's priced on Amazon for .99, I'm hoping that won't be an issue for readers).

The Rosa Reed books and the backlist books will remain in KU for a short time, so if you want to read them there, you should do it soon.

Whew. Okay, onto announcement two.

I'm going to be launching a Kickstarter campaign next month as well. But since this blog has gotten so long, I'm going to save that for a separate post. Just know it's going to be really, really cool.

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It’s been awhile ~ let’s catch up!

It’s been a while. The reason for not blogging for so long isn’t because I don’t have anything to report, it’s actually the opposite. So much seems to be happening so fast that I’ve felt a bit overwhelmed.

So let me catch you up in bullet points.

We got home from Mexico after a three month stay at the beginning of April.Jordan and Chelsea, after a tumultuous year (click here if you don’t know what I’m talking about), finally had their Wedding reception party – so fun! Following that was a family reunion on my father’s side.My shoulder pain kept getting worse – turns out I need a full shoulder replacement! Advanced osteoarthritis with two serious rotator cuff tears. It will probably be several months before this can happen, so I’m using my non-dominant hand a lot more, even playing left-handed pickleball. I’ve taken up bass guitar, lol. Something I can do, despite my shoulder issue. Norm and I have started a folk duo called Mr.& Mrs. Strauss. If you’re interesting is hearing us play our version of Paperback Writer, click here.News about Amazon and pricing. Inflation is kicking us in the butt everywhere, including Amazon for both authors and readers. Print pricing has gone up which has forced many authors, including me, to raise prices on paperback books. I try to keep my prices as low as possible, but I still need to make a little something, which at the moment is closer to the $1 dollar per book than the usual $2.00 per book (which still isn’t very much.) Which leads me to the next point.Independent publishing has gone through a lot of changes since it first became an option for authors in 2010 with the advent of Kindle. A new opportunity has risen with Shopify coming onto the scene, making it possible for artists and creators to sell their products directly to their customers. This allows the creator to have more control with pricing, and also what they can offer in terms of specialty products and discounts. As you can see from the previous point, the retailers keep a lot of the profit. Having complete dependence on the whims of any given retailer is also not a great business practice as a single wrong move by a bot can destroy an author’s hard work and earnings in a moment. I’m not being dramatic here. This has happened to authors more often than I’m comfortable with seeing. All this to say, I am working on setting up a sell-to-readers-directly option (don’t worry, you’ll still be able to buy on Amazon if you wish, but also some of my books will become available on other retailers as well). I hope to have launched by the end of summer, so stay tuned!I'm working on a very cool Special Edition book that I know you’ll love. It’s too early to say more but keep watch.

 Whew! That’s a lot. I’m going to try to blog more often and stay on top of the news. My next blog will be a poll to let me know what kind of content you’d like to see here. See you then.

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