Historical Fiction Spotlight: Naming the Dead (Alexander Baxby Mysteries Book 2) by Karen Haden

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Amsterdam 1608: The physician Alexander Baxby arrives in Amsterdam eager to start his life anew, beyond the reach of his former spy-master Geoffrey and Archbishop Bancroft's control. His confidence is shaken when the body of a young Englishman is found beneath the Blue Bridge linking the city to the islands where immigrants live.

Patients and friends assume the death was an accident. Canal pavements are notoriously dangerous when wet. Baxby suspects Bancroft's spy network has spread across the Narrow Sea to target exiles in the Dutch Republic.

But how did the murderer kill his victim? And why choose this particular Englishman? A second body is found in similar circumstances. Who will be next?

Amsterdam is awash with rumours about a possible Truce with Spain. Confusingly, the names of both victims appear on pamphlets, posthumously accrediting them with Spanish sympathies.

Although Baxby's dreams of marrying and owning a canal house prove harder than expected, immigrants being restricted to poorly paid work, he refuses to give up or forget those who died. Only when his own life is threatened, does the physician begin to uncover lies, misinformation and malevolence on a scale he never imagined.

Baxby's own life hangs by a thread, but the truth must be told.

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About the author

Karen Haden left a career in consulting, including fifteen years with intelligence and cyber security agencies, to write historical novels about secrets, spies and evolving security threats. Her Alexander Baxby historical mystery series is set during the Tudor and Stewart years, when the printing press was changing the security ‘landscape’ as the internet and social media are now. Reflecting the broad nature of her earlier career, her writing includes the perspectives of ordinary people not just those at court. To follow Karen Haden visit X/Twitter: @kjhaden17 and BlueSky ‪@kjhaden.bsky.social‬

Special Guest Post by Helene Harrison, Author of The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn: Interpreting Image and Perception

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US 

Mistress. Queen. Reformer. Traitor. Icon. This book is not like any others you might have read on Anne Boleyn. It is not a biography of the life of Henry VIII’s second wife and queen. What this book does is to examine Anne Boleyn through images and perceptions of her. 

The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn: Is Modern a Problem?

Thank you for inviting me to your blog again, Tony. Today, I’d like to talk about where the real Anne Boleyn might sit within the screen portrayals of her, and the dangers of modernising historical figures like Anne.

My favourite portrayal of Anne Boleyn on screen is Genevieve Bujold in Anne of the Thousand Days, though she wasn’t the first on-screen Anne I saw – that was Natalie Dormer in The Tudors. Genevieve Bujold demonstrates all of the fire and passion that sources say Anne had. Stephanie Russo says that Bujold’s Anne is ‘an Anne for the 1960s women’s liberation movement: she has self-determination, intelligence, agency, and ambition’. (1) These are qualities which we know the real Anne had. An example is where Anne and Henry are talking having taken a break from riding and Anne says:

‘I’ve heard what your courtiers say, and I’ve seen what you are. You’re spoiled and vengeful and bloody. Your poetry is sour, and your music is worse. You make love as you eat, with a good deal of noise and no subtlety.’ (2)

Her passion shines through, and her runaway mouth which would eventually be used against her. The only fault I’ve really been able to find with Bujold’s Anne Boleyn is that she is a little lacking in political acumen and her role in the annulment case and Reformation appears downplayed – the focus is very much on the relationship between Henry and Anne, the sunshine and storms of how that played out.

However, we do get this political involvement in Claire Foy’s interpretation in Wolf Hall. It is also note-worthy that Foy’s performance the only interpretation of Anne I’ve seen or am aware of with a French lilt in her voice, which it is possible the real Anne Boleyn had. Foy’s Anne isn’t a sympathetic portrayal because we are seeing her through Cromwell’s eyes, but we really get a sense of her political agency and influence over the king, even though her religious beliefs are barely alluded to. She confronts Cromwell with her power and influence:

‘Since my coronation there is a new England. And it can’t subsist without me. I’m warning you, make terms with me, Cromwell. Before my child is born.’ (3)

Comparing the two quotes, from Anne of the Thousand Days and Wolf Hall, Bujold’s Anne is almost mocking Henry, it’s quite comedic on screen but shows how Anne’s mouth could run away with her while Foy’s Anne is deadly serious, almost threatening, believing that her son would give her unrivalled power and influence over the king.

For me, the real Anne Boleyn probably lies somewhere between Genevieve Bujold’s passionate interpretation and Claire Foy’s politically minded Anne, though I will always have a soft spot for Natalie Dormer in The Tudors as the first on-screen Anne Boleyn that I saw, and which sparked my interest in her and the period more generally, and with Dormer we certainly get more of Anne’s religious beliefs and her tenacity in standing up for her beliefs.

But these modern screen interpretations can cause problems. It is impossible to make a dramatic interpretation of Anne without imposing our own beliefs onto it. We also benefit from hindsight, knowing how Anne Boleyn would meet her end, and can insert hints into earlier portions of these adaptations, alluding to what’s to come. 

Anne is often described as a ‘modern’ woman or a ‘feminist’, ahead of her times. But it isn’t fair to label people who lived 500 years ago as modern because they wouldn’t understand, and might well be horrified, at the society in which we live today. In many ways, Anne was traditional in what she wanted – she wanted to marry and have children. She was better educated than many of her social status at the time and that did set her apart and was a part of what drew the king to her in the first place. But she was very much a woman of the sixteenth century, and we have to be careful not to put our own modern beliefs, prejudices, and feelings onto a society that, as much as we study it and research it, can still be very difficult for us to understand and comprehend. 

History is about uncovering the reality of people, events, and movements, as far as we can, whether good or bad. Events like Anne’s fall and execution should make you feel uncomfortable, angry, upset, indignant. Sometimes it is easy to forget that these events and lives aren’t just stories. They were real people and, when we research them, we owe them the justice of telling the truth. If there is no evidence, don’t relate something as fact. Anne of the Thousand Days, Wolf Hall, and The Tudors are all dramas, made primarily for entertainment. That is just one element of Anne Boleyn’s story. 

Anne is a great example of where the present is taking over the past and we need to strip that back, go to the contemporary sources to find out what really happened. Examining interpretations over time as I do in The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn: Interpreting Image and Perception can help us to strip back what’s been added over time and bring out what we know about the real Anne Boleyn.

Helene Harrison

References:

(1) Russo, Stephanie, The Afterlife of Anne Boleyn: Representations of Anne Boleyn in Fiction and on the Screen (2020) p.273.

(2) Anne of the Thousand Days (1969).

(3) Wolf Hall, episode 5 (2015).

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About the Author

Helene Harrison studied at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle, achieving both a BA and MA in History before going on to complete an MSc in Library Management. Her passion for Tudor history started when studying for A Levels and completing a module on Tudor rebellions. Her master’s dissertation focused on portrayals of Anne Boleyn through the centuries, from contemporary letters to modern TV and film adaptations. Now she writes two blogs, one Tudor history and one book-related, and works in the university library of her alma mater. In her spare time, she loves visiting royal palaces and snuggling up with a book or embroidery project. Her books are ‘Elizabethan Rebellions: Conspiracy, Intrigue and Treason’ (2023), ‘Tudor Executions: From Nobility to the Block’ (2024) and ‘The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn: Interpreting Image and Perception’ (2025), all published by Pen and Sword. Find out more at Helene's website www.tudorblogger.com and Substack – https://tudorblogger.substack.com/  and find Helene on Facebook and Twitter @tudorblogger as well as BlueSky @tudorblogger.bsky.social‬

Book Review: Let Me In: The Brontës in Bricks and Mortar, by Anne Dinsdale and Sharon Wright

Available from Amazon UK

Anne Dinsdale and Sharon Wright are well qualified to write about 'The Brontës in Bricks and Mortar', as Anne is the Principal Curator of the Parsonage Museum in Haworth and Sharon is the author of the best-selling biography of Maria Branwell Brontë and editor of the Brontë Society Gazette. 

On their journey around Britain and Ireland, the authors explore the physical spaces which shaped the Brontë's lives and imaginations. 

Brontë Parsonage (Photo by Tony Riches)

They delve into the specific rooms, the furniture, the objects, and even the fabric of the building, connecting these elements to the family's routines, their creative processes, and the characters and settings that populate their novels

Brontë Parsonage Interior (Photo by Tony Riches)

Beyond the parsonage, the authors explore the wider Haworth landscape – the bleak but beautiful moors, the village itself, and the church where Patrick Brontë served. They illustrate how these external "bricks and mortar" provided both inspiration and confinement, influencing the atmospheric descriptions in Wuthering Heights or the social commentary in Jane Eyre. 

The book is richly illustrated with photographs, historical images, and even architectural plans, which further immerse the reader in the Brontës' world, making the abstract concept of 'place' feel concrete and immediate.

The Brontës in Bricks and Mortar offers fresh perspectives and deeper insights into familiar territory, and moves beyond biographical narrative to consider the profound impact of environment on creativity. For those new to the Brontës, it serves as an excellent introduction to their world, grounding their extraordinary literary achievements in the very ordinary, yet profoundly significant, spaces they inhabited. 

Tony Riches

Guest Post by Ralph Griffith, Author of Red Star: A Dmitri Petrov Crime Novel

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

In the treacherous, shifting landscape of the Russian Federation's criminal underworld, rising star Viktor Vasilev is about to learn that some legends refuse to stay buried. One night, after leaving his exclusive nightclub, Vasilev is discovered unconscious in the parking lot—the victim of a brutal assault. While being transported to a hospital he keeps moaning the name of a famous Russian crime boss, Ded Hasan.

From the Federal Prison System to Saint Petersburg: The Unconventional Path of a Crime Novelist

When asked recently about the background behind my Dmitri Petrov Crime Novels, it made me reflect on my unusual journey. My path to becoming an author is perhaps not what you would expect.

For over three decades, I served two 14-year sentences in the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for bank robberies. The federal system is a unique environment, a melting pot of individuals from every corner of the globe. In 2004, as I was beginning my last sentence, I decided it was time for a profound change. I felt a new path calling me, and I believed that as an author, my past would not and should not define my future.

In 2010 I was transferred to Butner, North Carolina. It was a smaller medical facility, and my unit of sixty inmates, and the prison's total population of around six hundred, provided an intimate, and in many ways, an unprecedented classroom. I shared that space for seven years with some truly infamous figures, including Bernie Madoff, Jonathan Pollard, Nicky Scarfo, and Carmine Persico—and that’s only a small glimpse of the experiences I had there.

During those twenty years, I dedicated myself to an intense study of Russian, Chinese, German, Japanese, and Spanish, along with my native English. I would seek out foreign inmates from those countries, intentionally "zoning in" on them to test my language skills. I believe that when you make the effort to learn someone's language, it opens doors to understanding that remain firmly shut otherwise. It was in this unique educational environment that I met a number of Russian vory, or "thieves," in the BOP.

One Thief-in-law at Butner, a man who had his own reputation, was so taken with me that he hired me to ghostwrite his life story. The money he paid me was vital—I saved every penny for my release—but the real value was the education he gave me. What I learned about the inner workings of organized crime in the Russian Federation was more valuable than any textbook could ever be. He would often tell me my Russian was terrible, but he'd add with a laugh, "when you imitate a Russian trying to speak English, you are spot on."

Since my release, that foundation has served me well. I have now published twenty-eight novels across seven different series. But the one that remains closest to my heart is my Dmitri Petrov Crime Novels, which I began in that very unit. Dmitri Petrov is an inspector for the Saint Petersburg Police in the Russian Federation. The first book, Vodka Express, introduces his world, and the second, White Nights, immerses him in the city's famous festival. I am thrilled to announce that the third novel in the series, Red Star, is now available for pre-order.

My journey is proof that inspiration can be found in the most unlikely of places. The lessons I learned—about language, culture, and the complex human beings on all sides of the law—continue to fuel my writing. It's a reminder that every experience, no matter how unconventional, can be a tool to create something new.

Ralph Griffith

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About the Author

Ralph Griffith is an intriguing Amazon Best-Selling American author with a life story that reads like a gripping novel itself. Born in 1951 during the Cold War, his teenage perception was acutely tuned to the dissonance between reality and government narratives. This skepticism blossomed into a rebellious spirit, finding its zenith during the electrifying Summer of Love in 1967. Destiny, however, had other plans. A brush with LSD at 16 landed Ralph in the Nevada Youth Authority—a crucible he promptly escaped--his restless spirit yearning for new adventures. This escape coincided with the tragic assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy. His book 63 Days covers that period in 1968. Fast forward to his thirties, and a different kind of confinement beckoned. Ralph’s foray into bank robbing led to over 30 years navigating the stark realities of incarceration. Yet, even within those prison walls, his spirit refused to be caged. It was there, amidst the clanging of cell doors and the harsh hum of fluorescent lights, that he discovered a new path--writing. His final 14-year stretch became a literary genesis. Ralph poured his experiences onto the page. Seven years spent alongside Bernie Madoff at FCI Butner became the raw material for a gripping exposé. Titles like “Monkey House” and “The Real Bernie Madoff” offered scathing indictments of financial corruption. Today, Ralph resides in the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of Washington state’s landscapes. Yet, the ink coursing through his veins still carries the vibrancy of those early days in San Francisco. His life’s adventures, as unconventional as they may be, have endowed him with a wealth of stories yet to be told. And Ralph, with his relentless spirit and boundless creativity, is just beginning to weave these tales into the rich tapestry of his burgeoning literary legacy. Find out more at https://www.ralphgriffith.net/ Ralph on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter 

Blog Tour Excerpt: The Herb Knot, by Jane Loftus

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

A quest born on the battlefield will change a young boy’s destiny…

Excerpt:

The branches folded over them, crackling like a dog biting on chicken bones. Raphael and his mother wriggled beneath low shrubs and coils of fern. Even in moonlight they would be difficult to see, but it was not the place of safety his mother would have chosen. It was his mistake that had forced them to stop here.

    His first mistake.

    ‘When did you last see Christophe?’ His mother pulled him close.

    ‘By the big oak.’

    ‘Tch!’

    ‘I’m sorry, Maman.’

    The big oak was where they’d entered the forest. It was where enemy soldiers roamed, blood-soaked after a day of battle. There would be looting too, and worse. It was why a woman and two children had left a cottage that was no longer safe. And now one of the children was missing.

    ‘He told me not to wait. He said he’d catch up.’ Raphael’s tears could be heard in his voice. He’d ruined everything. He should never have let go of Christophe’s hand. Now, they had been forced to stop where Christophe might still find them. They should be further towards the heart of the forest, not here.

    It was all his fault.

    ‘Don’t cry, mon petit. He’ll know where we are.’ Raphael’s mother, Marianne, reached for his hand. ‘I should have paid more heed.’

    She’d been calling gently as they walked, to make sure the children were still following. Raphael had answered. But he’d spoken only for himself. Christophe had fallen behind long before she’d become aware of it. They were supposed to hold hands, but Christophe had kept stumbling, dragging Raphael down with him. In the end he’d told Raphael to go ahead, that he’d catch up.

    I should have waited.

    Christophe would surely find his way here. He had Raphael’s precious St Joseph scapular with him. Raphael wore it always, but Christophe had been afraid so Raphael had given it to him. It would guide him here; it had to.

    Raphael and his mother lay for a while on their stomachs, the leaves above them gently shedding raindrops from the earlier storm. The damp earth smelled rich and strong and caught the back of Raphael’s throat. His ribs began to hurt and he tried to move, but there were footsteps now. Marianne pressed her fingers to his lips.

    The footsteps came faster and louder. A man entered the clearing, his outline bulky as if he were wearing armour. There was a shadow of something in his hand, something that glinted for a brief moment as a dull beam of moonlight caught the edge of it. Raphael felt his mother’s hand tighten on his again.

    Who was this man? A mercenary? Genoese? There was more moonlight now but it still wasn’t enough to see for sure.

    ‘Anglais,’ Marianne whispered.

    When Christophe crashed into the clearing like a hunted deer, the mercenary had already begun to walk away. Had Christophe arrived but one minute later, his and Raphael’s lives would have taken different paths. But at the sight of the child, soiled and trembling, the mercenary turned on his heel. He had his arm wrapped around Christophe’s neck in an instant, pulling tight until his feet barely reached the ground. Christophe’s hands pulled at the mercenary’s arm but to no avail. Raphael wanted to cry.

The Herb Knot is a sweeping and passionate novel set in one of the most tumultuous times in English history, from a powerful new voice

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About the author

Jane Loftus gained a degree in 16th Century European and British history from Surrey before taking a postgraduate degree in modern political history. As a lone parent, she worked in Winchester Waterstones before returning to IT once her son was older. Hugely passionate about the Middle Ages, she drew inspiration for this novel from the medieval layout of Winchester which has been painstakingly documented. Jane is originally from London but has lived in Winchester for over twenty years. When not writing, she is usually out walking or watching costume dramas on Netflix. Find out more at https://janeloftus.com/ and find Jane on instagram at janeloftusauthor and Bluesky @janeloftus.bsky.social‬

Historical Fiction Spotlight: Whistling Women and Crowing Hens: A Novel by Melora Fern

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Hillsborough, NC – After finding a box of mementos and learning that her grandmother, Verna Hintz Kurtz, traveled with the Versatile Quintet in the Swarthmore Chautauqua circuit as a trombone player and performance whistler in the 1920s, Melora Fern was inspired to write her debut novel, “Whistling Women and Crowing Hens.”

It’s the 1920s, and Birdie Stauffer is whistling on a train-traveling roadshow. To escape her strait-laced overbearing sister, Birdie auditions for the all-female Versatile Quintet, Chautauqua circuit’s opening act. Through the roadshow she experiences the tumultuous 1920s, a modern era of shocking flappers and smuggled whiskey, with the camaraderie of newfound friends.

Her exceptional gift of concert whistling entertains more than songbirds as she gains national notoriety and she’s soon entangled in two romantic relationships. Birdie discovers even the best relationships can be filled with misunderstandings. She learns to trust her intuition, but it may cost her love interests, her sister, and maybe even herself.

Praise for Whistling Women and Crowing Hens:

“Melora Fern has written a totally original and psychologically complex novel about her appealing young heroine Birdie's coming of age as a "whistling woman" in an all-girl musical group with the famed Chautauqua Circuit as they travel the country on tour. Sexy, smart, and irresistible, this is historical fiction of a very high order----I literally could not put it down! Highly recommended.” –Lee Smith, NY Times Bestselling Author of “The Last Girls”

Whistling Women and Crowing Hens’ is a thoroughly immersive and uplifting tale, deftly exploring female ambition in the riotous 1920s. Birdie Stauffer is a winsome heroine, and readers will cheer for her to succeed both on-stage and off. As Birdie wrestles with learning to trust herself, a gripping love triangle and an entertaining cast of side characters impact her in unforeseen ways. Fern’s vivid details bring the historical time period and charming characters to life. –Heather Bell Adams, author of “Maranatha Road” and “The Good Luck Stone”

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About the Author

The only constant in life is change – so after a year of multiple doozies, Melora Fern moved from Texas to North Carolina to become herself. Growing up as the perpetual “new kid” she persevered by making up stories and recently has learned how to hone that skill into writing fiction. As a recovering CPA, she now counts seashells, colorful stones, or words discovered on her walks. She loves a good local gin, hiking, feeding songbirds, moonrises and joyfully sharing bites of your dinner. Her tonic is a daily belly laugh combined with mindfulness. Embracing new and old friends, undiscovered and favorite places, unique and familiar books, family, and all that comes with writing currently fills her days. After six years of perfecting her craft with writing classes, workshops, retreats, and an awe-inspiring critique group, Melora’s months of querying agents and small presses has paid off. She signed with Sibylline Press’s Digital First Imprint and is very excited for her debut novel to be published. Sign up for her newsletter Stay Curious at melorafern dot com to stay connected!  Find out more at: https://www.melorafern.com/ and follow Melora on Facebook and Bluesky ‪@melorafern.bsky.social‬

Book Tour Excerpt: Hell Hath No Fury! The story of Marguerite of Anjou, by Judith Arnopp

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

From the moment Henry VI's new queen, Marguerite of Anjou, sets foot on English soil she is despised by the English as a foreigner, and blamed for the failures of the hundred years war in France. Her enemies impede her role as the king’s consort and when Henry sinks into apparent madness her bid to become regent is rejected. Marguerite must fight, not only for her own position but to maintain Henry’s possession of the crown.

Excerpt: 1481 - Dampierre-sur-Loire, Anjou 

 

I am the dowager queen, and I should be in England, housed in splendour, lauded, pampered, surrounded by royal grandchildren but instead I am exiled, confined to this backwater in France. Queen of obscurity, of notoriety. I curse each day as it dawns, bringing another unendurable four and twenty hours in which to think … to remember. Little more than a pauper, I am a pensioner of King Louis. I am exiled, ousted and excluded from the country over which I once ruled. Defeat sits heavily on me. My body pains me, my heart aches and my mind is tortured. How did it ever come to this?

    I am a victim of treason, betrayal and regicide. Yes – regicide, the cold-blooded murder of an anointed king and the theft of his crown. Gentle Henry, my husband was brought low by the ambition of the cursed Duke of York and his devil-spawned son. 

    Even while serving the fifth Henry in France, York chafed against Lancaster, smarting each time a better man was shown greater favour than himself. He coveted riches, he coveted power, no matter the cost, and he sneered at Henry’s efforts to reign peaceably.

    The moment I arrived in England as Henry’s queen, I became the focus for York’s hatred. He despised me as a foreigner and a woman, and believing their claim superior to that of Lancaster, the House of York coveted the crown for years. They misliked the way Henry heeded my advice. My directives influenced the king more often than York’s and oh, how that wounded him! 

    For a long time, our mutual dislike simmered, increasing and spreading like bubbles in a boiling pot until it became so hot, so virulent that it overflowed, splitting the court asunder and forcing cousin to side against cousin. 

    As England’s noble houses wrought violence against themselves and kin slaughtered kin, dark clouds gathered over England and the rivers ran with blood. With York so close to the crown he could almost grasp it, civil war was inevitable. Spurred on by his kinsmen and his litter of flea-ridden pups, York reached out for what was mine, and in the end, he took it.

    On the day we slew York and his son at Wakefield I thought we had won, but his spawn soon replaced him. The repugnant Edward took up his father’s banner. Edward the regicide, the usurper who killed my son, and murdered my king. They locked me away but even when I begged to be allowed to die, he forced me to live. 

    My life since has been worse than a thousand deaths.

    I can barely recall the young, green girl I once was, unskilled in policy, and a stranger to the country I would come to love.

Judith Arnopp

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About the Author

A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds a BA in English/Creative writing and a Masters in Medieval Studies. She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction. She is best known for her novels set in the Medieval and Tudor period, focussing on the perspective of historical women but recently she has written a trilogy from the perspective of Henry VIII himself.

 Judith is also a founder member of a re-enactment group called The Fyne Companye of Cambria which is when and why she began to experiment with sewing historical garments. She now makes clothes and accessories both for the group and others. She is not a professionally trained sewer but through trial, error and determination has learned how to make authentic looking, if not strictly historically accurate clothing. A non-fiction book about Tudor clothing, How to Dress like a Tudor, was published in 2023 by Pen and Sword. She runs a small seaside holiday let in Aberporth and when she has time for fun, likes to garden and restore antique doll’s houses. Find out more at Judith's website www.judithmarnopp.com/ and find her on Facebook, Bluesky, Threads and Twitter @JudithArnopp