Please give a warm Murderous welcome to my dear friend Michelle Diener!!!
Thank you so much to Karin Tabke for inviting me here today, and a wave hello to Allison Brennan and Laura Griffin, as well!
My Tudor-set historical novel, IN A TREACHEROUS COURT, released this week, and as there is a strong element of suspense in the book, and I’m visiting the on-line home of suspense here at MURDER SHE WRITES, I thought I’d talk about suspense in historicals, and all that that entails.
For a start, because this is an historical, and I use real people in my book — my main characters, Susanna Horenbout and John Parker, were real people, and many of the secondary characters were, too — and because I try to incorporate as much historical accuracy as possible, and won’t let my book deviate from what really happened, the suspense has to work in the context of real events.
Strangely enough, what sounds like a restriction turned into the most fun I’ve had writing. Because the real events of Henry VIII’s court in 1525, when my story is set, were wild enough, suspenseful enough, to carry any suspense plot I could think up. Weaving my made-up plot against the throne, which Susanna and Parker need to uncover while someone tries to hunt them down and kill them, with what we know happened during that time, worked perfectly. Even though I made the plot up, it could have happened. It didn’t, but it was possible.
Fun!
It became a challenge for me to make sure the players involved were all people who had the motivation to do what they were doing, that the timeline of events worked in the context of my imaginary plot, but that I could still keep readers turning the pages.
My heroine, Susanna Horenbout, was an artist fromGhent(in modern-dayBelgium). She was trained as a painter and illuminator by her father, Gerard Horenbout, who was one of the most eminent illuminators and artists of his day. When Albrecht Dürer visited the Horenbouts when Susanna was only 18 years old, he wrote in his journal: ‘Never would I have thought a woman could draw so well.’ He was so impressed he bought one of Susanna’s paintings.
Now to our ear, Dürer’s praise may seem condescending and insulting, but given the time, and the role of women, that recognition shows just how good an artist Susanna must have been. Then, when she was around 22, it appears that Susanna was sent ahead of her family to Henry VIII’s court. The assumption has to be she was sent to work as a court painter, although no records survive as to what exactly she was commissioned to work on. That is very useful to me, as it gives me a great deal of freedom in the way I wrote the story of her arrival inEnglandand what happened when she got there. Suffice to say, I throw her into a great deal of trouble, and make her have to rely on John Parker, King Henry’s Keeper of thePalaceofWestminsterand Yeoman of the Crossbows, to protect her.
The most delightful part of this? The reason art historians know Susanna was sent ahead of her family to Henry’s court, given the lack of records of what she was there to do, is a record of her marriage to John Parker. That in itself seems mysterious. What was a powerful courtier doing, marrying a foreign artist rather than a courtier’s daughter in a political marriage? My imagination just had to come up with something.
I’d love to know, how important is accuracy to you? If you read historical suspense, are historically accurate events or social and economic context important, or in contemporary suspense, accuracy in where the book is set, or specific details of the place where the story happens? Do you care if street X doesn’t intersect with street Y, even though in the book it does? Or is that a deal-breaker for you?
Funnily enough, I’m so strict with myself on that score when it comes to my own writing, but I’m more than willing to give other authors leeway in return for a good story.
I’ve got a copy of IN A TREACHEROUS COURT to give away to one lucky commenter (US residents only, unfortunately!)
Michelle Diener
Michelle Diener lives in Australiawith her husband and two children. She’s worked as an editor, a publisher, managed a small IT business, and now writes full time. Her debut historical novel, IN A TREACHEROUS COURT, is out with Simon & Schuster’s Gallery Books this week, and the second book in the series, KEEPER OF THE KING’S SECRETS, is due for an early 2012 release. You can find out more about her at her website (http://www.michellediener.com), her group blog (http://www.magicalmusings.com) or follow her on twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/michellediener ) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-Diener/196593580366013 )
About the book:
Henry VIII’s most lethal courtier and his newly appointed artist become the only thing keeping him on the throne — and if they survive, neither will ever be the same.
John Parker is one of Henry VIII most useful courtiers — utterly merciless and completely loyal. But one small favour for his King will pull Parker into a deadly plot against the throne, one that will test his courage, his resolve, and most especially, his heart.
A commission from Henry VIII should have been the crowning achievement of Susanna Horenbout’s career, but before the beautiful and talented artist even sets foot inEngland, she finds herself in possession of a secret that could change its history. With Parker as her only protection against killers who will stop at nothing to silence her, Susanna has to trust the dangerous, enigmatic courtier. She’s used to fighting in a man’s world, but she never expected to be fighting for her life.
What people are saying about IN A TREACHEROUS COURT:
“IN A TREACHEROUS COURT is an action-adventure-mystery-historical that grabs the reader on page one and doesn’t let go. It reminds me of SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE in the way it captures the “feel” of Tudor England, moving with equal aplomb from royal palace to refuse-cloggedLondon streetto leaky rowboat on theThames.” http://www.kateemersonhistoricals.com Kate Emerson, Author of BY ROYAL DECREE: Secrets of theTudor Court)
Awesome! History woven flawlessly into riveting fiction.” Tammy J. Schneider (Special Features Editor and book reviewer at “Affaire de Coeur” magazine)
“Just when readers think there is nothing new to be learned about Henry VIII, debut author Diener delivers a taut suspense . . . that will keep you turning the pages.” Kathe Robin
(4 star review in RT Magazine August 2011 issue)
I love Historical novels & the period of the reign of The Tudors is fascinating. On my list.
Mary it’s a great read!
Thank you, Mary, I hope you enjoy!
Been following Michelle’s tour, enjoying the historical tidbits. Best wishes for success of In A Treacherous Court.
Thank you, Liz!
Hi Michelle!!! Welcome to the house!! I cannot remember the last time I salivated over a book as much as this one! Cannot wait to get my hot little hands it. I love, love, love the idea of weaving real and fiction (Katherine by Anya Seton, anyone?) and this sounds like you’ve done a masterful job. Stunning cover, too. Congrats and thanks for sharing! xo
Thank you for having me here, Roxy! And thank you for the enthusiasm for IATC. I hope you enjoy it!
Michelle, welcome! Your book sounds awesome! I am so fascinated by authors who write historicals. I can’t imagine even attempting such an undertaking! But to weave in a suspense, wow! Just wow!
Thank you, Debra. Funny, it’s the thought of writing contemporary novels that scare me, so we’re even! *g*
Congratulations to Michelle on her new book. I do like reading historical fiction but since history was not my favorite subject growing up my knowledge is limited. Historical fiction really brings history alive to me but I enjoy the details and the feeling of another time that it portrays so I don’t really know or notice any small inaccuracies.
Thank you for the congrats, Maureen. I love that you find historical fiction brings history alive for you.
Welcome to MSW, Michelle! I love historical fiction with a suspenseful twist. Congratulations on the fabulous reviews!!
Thanks, Laura 🙂
I’m very forgiving when it comes to historical accuracy, but I tend to be a bit anal about timelines. I get irritated when a timeline doesn’t makes sense, like someone getting to an airport faster than humanly possible – that sort of thing.
It pulls me out of the book and I start analyzing where the author made the mistake. It’s an irritating habit of mine.
Congrats on the release! It sounds like an exciting book.
Shannon, I’m with you there! I also hate that. Thanks for the good wishes.
I prefer historical accuracy. I wouldn’t say it’s a deal-breaker if something is slightly off. One of the things I love about novels with historical settings is the ability to pick up new information. It’s hard to do that if the history isn’t factual.
Your book sounds quite interesting. Thanks for visiting.
LSUReader, thank you. I think that’s why I’m so strict on myself. I love learning about new historical events and periods through historical fiction, and hate thinking something is a fact only to find out it isn’t. I’m more forgiving if the author has an explanatory note at the end. I did this in In a Treacherous Court, outlining which parts I made up, and which parts were true.
Congratulations Michelle on this new release. the historical novel combined with history is so fascinating. Best wishes and much success.
Thank you, Diane.
I love the idea of a “cross-genre” novel–historical and thriller/mystery. I’m much more knowledgeable about Elizabeth I’s reign, but I do know enough about Ol’ Harry VIII to enjoy a good read about his reign, too. Wonderful reviews and I’m certainly intrigued now. *slips off to add to TBR pile* Good luck with the book!
Thanks, Silver 🙂
I don’t read historical as much as I used to but I like learning about times in the past. The historical facts are fun, but at the same time, historical accuracy has to be balanced with story telling and if two roads didn’t intersect in reality, they did in the fictional world and that’s okay with me. If I want facts, I’ll read a text book.
The caveat to that would be obvious errors with references to things we all know couldn’t have been-a rolex at Henry’s court without time-travel.
Carol, your comment about the rolex made my mind jump straight to THE PARTY with Peter Sellers, where he’s an extra on a movie in a scene depicting some ancient battle wearing a digital watch on his arm, and ruining a ‘cast of thousands’ battle scene. 🙂
hi michelle…what a gorgeous book and i love the peek inside the process. looks sumptuous!
Thank you, Sophie!
Thanks for the introduction, Michelle and her series are new to me.
Hi, Anne. Thanks for stopping by.
Michelle, I can not wait to read this book. This is my favorite period in history. Accuracy in historical books really only matters if I know the time period well. In lesser known times I give an author a lot of leeway. If something does get changed an author’s note in the beginning is usually enough to make me happy.
Thank you, Jill. I hope you enjoy IATC. 🙂
I love historicals but i am not a person who worries about things being accurate. If i had studied history intently and it was really my thing i probably would but for me it’s all about the story. This one sounds really very interesting and romantic suspense and historicals are two of my favorite genre’s.
Thanks for sharing your book.
Lisa B
Thank you, Lisa.
Hi Michelle and welcome to MSW! I’m a failed historical writer, so I’m amazed by those who do it so well! I’ve got your book on my TBR list!
Thanks for having me, Jennifer.
Congrats on your new release, it sounds like a great read!
Thanks for the congrats, Quilt Lady. (Love the name!) *g*
Congrats Michelle on your new book. It sounds really fascinating. I love historicals (along with the thrillers and mysteries) and a combo of the two sounds great. As far as accuracy goes in the historicals I read, I am not all that picky…I like to learn small details of the time period and such, but I honestly would not know if street x really intersected with another street or not.. as long as I’m interested in the story, I’ll keep on reading!
Linda *g*, I know that it probably doesn’t matter that much to people, but I can’t help myself. I write with a pre-dissolution of the monastries map of London next to me, and every single street intersects correctly in my books. I’m a Virgo, I can’t help it. 🙂
This book sounds so wonderful. I’ve always loved that period in history, as well as the time of Queen Elizabeth I. What an uncertain and turbulent time, with lots of intrigue and excitement happening. I’m looking forward to reading all about John and Susanna.
Thank you, Barbara. Yes, it is such an interesting time (probably in the Chinese sense of the word, LOL) and there is so much material for a fiction writer to work with.
I love histoicals. I do want accuracy to a point. I get that authors have a certain amount of flexibility. I find that historical fiction makes me want to learn more and then I get dissappointed if the books are too far from fact.
Jen, good point. If there is an author note, that helps if some facts have been changed.
the cover is gorgeous and the book sounds wonderful. i soo can’t wait to get my grubby little hands on it.LOL!
Thank you, Tammy. I love the cover, too. And I’ve just seen the cover for KEEPER OF THE KING’S SECRETS, the next book in the series, and it is also gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.
Hi Michelle–Your book sounds fascinating! I love Tudor history, and I would love to win a copy of your book.
I do want books and movies to be as historically accurate as possible. I watched one or two episodes of the Tudors, and I was turned off by the inaccuracies throughout the show. They even had someone married to the wrong person. I don’t know that I’d be bent out of shape by the wrong streets being connected…but Please get relationships right.
Thank you, Ann. I haven’t watched the Tudors, but so often movies and television don’t stick to the actual events, that it doesn’t surprise me that there are inaccuracies.
NOT SURE ABOUT Murderous WELCOME! BUT I LIKE YOUR FACEBOOK. IM ALWAYS GLAD TO FIND NEW AUTHORS TO MYSELF
Thanks Blackroze. I’m glad to be found 🙂
You know I’ve read IATC, and the history behind it made it even more joyful to read. Though I would’ve loved it even if you’d made it all up, it felt more real because of the historical accuracy, as if all of it actually happened.