Linda C asked Stephen P. Kiernan:

I really liked "The Baker's Secret" but there were some scathing reviews that the setting wasn't authentic, i.e. French bakeries would never make cinnamon rolls, and by default, you didn't do the necessary research for a historical novel. How would you respond to those complaints?

Stephen P. Kiernan Hi Linda. Thanks for the question. I might have noticed those reviews (kaff kaff).
Here's what I can tell you: I perform hundreds of hours of research when I write a historical novel. Of course I'll make mistakes, as any human would, but I do my utmost to avoid them.
In the case of The Baker's Secret, I read a dozen or more books, I listened to oral histories, I interviewed an Omaha Beach veteran, I went to France and with an expert guide I had the privilege of visiting the beaches, villages and cemeteries.
I also spoke with bakers, and consulted cookbooks. From the sources I used, my novel was correct -- including in the kitchen. Several people took umbrage at a sentence about starting popovers in a cold oven, which they said was wrong and impossible. All I know is that there are three recipes for popovers in this house, I've made each of them many times, and all three start in a cold oven.
Historical accuracy was a real challenge in the book I have coming out Aug 4 (Universe of Two), because it is a love story set amid the development of the atomic bomb. If I hewed to every scientific detail in describing the bomb's components, the book would be a hundred pages longer (and no longer a novel but a text book). I may be accused of oversimplifying the physics. All I can plead in my defense is that I am trying to tell a story, and that it is a work of fiction.
In the end, I respect readers' right to have any opinion they like about my work. I'm honored that they took the time to read it.

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