Ask the Author: Ashley Gardner
Answered Questions (23)
Ashley Gardner
The book A Darkness in Seven Dials is not written in present tense (it's past). The blurb is only because it's conversational. The book is in first person--all the books in this series are.
There is an excerpt here:
https://gardnermysteries.com/books/ca... which will give you the tense and tone of the book.
There is an excerpt here:
https://gardnermysteries.com/books/ca... which will give you the tense and tone of the book.
Ashley Gardner
Tom: Thank you! Yes, there will be many more in this series. Book 4 is tentatively titled "Brother at Arms."
Ashley Gardner
Hi Kathy: Thank you! I'm loving Leonidas and Cassia. The novella (Blood Debts) does give some more insight into their lives. A tad more on Cassia's background, and some of Leonidas's with his friend Xerxes (and Xerxes's wife and kids). However, if you skip the novella before A Gladiator's Tale (book 2) you won't miss any important information. The novella can be read at any time. Hope this helps. And glad you're enjoying it! More books in the works!
Ashley Gardner
Yes, indeed! Book 16 is Murder in the Eternal City. Lacey and family go to Rome, and of course, solve a mystery. I had to reschedule the book for real life reasons but it is in the works.
Ashley Gardner
You asked two questions, and I'll answer both here. The second one was: "After finishing Book 13, I'm rather intrigued. Will we be seeing the Laceys traveling to France at some point? And does word get around about Granville and Marianne's marriage? Does she ever confide in Granville her origins ever?"
All I can say is, all things will be revealed! :-) Lacey will be doing more traveling with his family in future books.
All I can say is, all things will be revealed! :-) Lacey will be doing more traveling with his family in future books.
Ashley Gardner
Hi Elane:
In the first books, yes, Lacey has little money. He does have his half-pay (more or less an army pension) paid into his bank, but his father and grandfather unhelpfully squandered the family money, though the house and entailed lands in Norfolk are still intact. But Lacey is gentleman-born, and in this period, a man's family and lineage was much more important than his wealth or even his title. (This is why marriages happened between daughters of titled, but impoverished noblemen and very wealthy nobodies who made their fortunes in trade.) Lady Breckenridge remarks in one book that Lacey's family is far older and more important than any newly titled one with lots of cash attached, and so to her, he is much more prominent despite his lack of money. Lacey can go to Brooks's as Grenville's guest without being a member (and he doesn't want to be). Grenville also helps him out with gifts here and there as the books go on. Plus Lacey's circumstances change as the series develops.
In the first books, yes, Lacey has little money. He does have his half-pay (more or less an army pension) paid into his bank, but his father and grandfather unhelpfully squandered the family money, though the house and entailed lands in Norfolk are still intact. But Lacey is gentleman-born, and in this period, a man's family and lineage was much more important than his wealth or even his title. (This is why marriages happened between daughters of titled, but impoverished noblemen and very wealthy nobodies who made their fortunes in trade.) Lady Breckenridge remarks in one book that Lacey's family is far older and more important than any newly titled one with lots of cash attached, and so to her, he is much more prominent despite his lack of money. Lacey can go to Brooks's as Grenville's guest without being a member (and he doesn't want to be). Grenville also helps him out with gifts here and there as the books go on. Plus Lacey's circumstances change as the series develops.
Ashley Gardner
Yes. I have the first book, tentatively titled Blood of a Gladiator, in mind for the first part of 2020.
Ashley Gardner
While Denis might not have a book from his point of view, I am evolving this character as I go. He will be a main focus in some books of the series.
Ashley Gardner
The plan is to release Death at Brighton Pavilion in October, 2019.
Ashley Gardner
You learn more about Mr. Denis and his past throughout the books, including his romantic past. He does have one. :-) It is difficult for him to trust, yes. I continue to develop and evolve his character as I go. He is, admittedly, a favorite of mine.
Ashley Gardner
Hi Taryn: This all gets resolved as the series goes on. Marianne and Grenville's relationship is ... complicated. :-)
Ashley Gardner
Yes, indeed. I am working on the fourth Kat book right now. Also the next Captain Lacey. Both series will continue.
Ashley Gardner
Thank you, Carol! I'm glad you're enjoying the book. Fanning yourself is fine. :-) The Lacey / Brandon situation does play out over the series. Thanks again.
Ashley Gardner
I hope to have Will's book out in October or November. I need to write the book first! It's next on my plate, and in the outline stages. (as of July 5, 2018).
Ashley Gardner
LOL, sorry for the confusion. I originally planned to self-publish this series and called it the Kat Holloway Victorian Mysteries. Now that it is with a publisher, they wanted a catchy name. The official series, per Berkley, is The Below Stairs Mysteries. I add "Victorian mysteries," and "Kat Holloway" because I want people to know that a) it's Victorian; and b) who the series is about to avoid confusion. Readers are now calling it the Kat Holloway mysteries or the Kat mysteries. But officially, it's The Below Stairs Mysteries.
Ashley Gardner
Yes indeed, there will be more Leonidas books! I have one on my schedule for 2018, either late summer or early fall. I write many books a year so my schedule does change, but I have four books to write (including a Captain Lacey), then Leonidas. I have many ideas for this series.
Ashley Gardner
Louisa is a complex person. She fell happily in love when she was very young and married Brandon and then became disillusioned because of Brandon's stubborn, blustering, and not always intelligent personality. Also never being able to bring a child to term really hurt her. She might have been happy with Brandon if they'd had children. She also sees how the enmity between Brandon and Lacey is hurting Lacey, whom she loves--but not necessarily in a physical way. I'd say she's a lady caught in a situation where she doesn't know what she wants or what to do. So she's determined to stick by Brandon, whom she does love, but she might not *like* him all the time. Also, it was the proper thing to to (divorce was very difficult), though her emotions get the better of her sometimes. Your assessment that she's wonderful and strong only through Gabriel's eyes is a good one. He saw her as the ideal woman, the ideal wife, and regretted he didn't meet her first! At least in the beginning of the series. As the series goes on, Gabriel still likes her and is her friend, but he becomes more clear-eyed about her. We all have friends we love but watch them make mistakes. I'll keep an eye on Louisa and Brandon in future.
Ashley Gardner
Thanks! I've had my maps of London for so long that I no longer remember exactly where I got them, but a search of the Net will bring up many. People are digitizing them now more than ever, with full detail. Buildings are labeled--it's great to find those, research them, and see what's there now. Try searching for "maps London" with a date (e.g., 1810 or 1820).
Ashley Gardner
Thanks Glen! The series will continue! I love Captain Lacey, and revisiting his world is no chore. About the pricing--the paperbacks I don't have much control over (those run about $12.99 on average), nor do I have control on the audio pricing, but I can give readers a break on the e-book price. The books are very popular and I make plenty of money, don't worry! :-) I like to help out readers when I can.
Ashley Gardner
Thank you so much! I enjoyed the blend of Regency and fantasy in that one. I have been thinking about doing more in his world, though I don't have any firm plans at the moment. But stay tuned! Robert is an interesting character and I'd love to do more with him!
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Mar 24, 2024 08:11AM · flag