From History to Mystery

Why I Decided to Take the Leap

If you've read my novels The Final Crossing and Letters of Redemption, you know where I've spent most of my writing life: among wartime letters, forgotten histories, and characters shaped by extraordinary events. Historical fiction has been my home for years. It's where I've found countless stories waiting to be told.

So why am I now writing a mystery? I've been asked this question recently, and the answer is surprisingly simple: a story wouldn't leave me alone.

Learning a New Set of Rules

At first glance, historical fiction and mystery seem very different. But they actually share a lot in common. Both are built around uncovering the truth. Both require attention to detail, careful research, and characters whose choices matter. The difference is in how those truths are revealed.

One of the biggest adjustments has been learning to plot backwards. In historical fiction, I usually know the major events and can build the story around them. In a mystery, I have to know the ending before I can properly begin. Who did it? Why? How? Every clue, every conversation, and every seemingly innocent detail must serve a purpose.

Walking the Pacing Tightrope

Another challenge has been pacing. Historical fiction often allows room to linger. I can spend time exploring a setting, a memory, or a character's emotional journey. Mystery readers, however, are always looking for the next clue. They notice everything.

Reveal too much too early, and the suspense disappears. Hold back for too long, and readers become frustrated. Finding that balance has been one of the most rewarding — and demanding — parts of the process.

Keeping Character at the Centre

Anyone who has read my books knows that character always comes first for me. In my historical novels, characters could wander through memories, wrestle with guilt, or reflect on the past without feeling rushed. In a mystery, the plot is constantly moving forward. The challenge is finding ways to explore a character's inner life while keeping the story racing toward its next revelation.

What Historical Fiction Taught Me

There are aspects of historical fiction I miss. I miss diving into archives, discovering forgotten details, and finding those small moments that bring another era to life. But I've also discovered that the most important storytelling lessons don't belong to any one genre.

Strong characters matter. Setting matters. Emotional authenticity matters. Whether I'm writing about an Egyptian servant seeking freedom or a soldier in wartime Italy caught in a web of secrets and deception, readers connect with people who feel real. That's a lesson I'll carry into every story I write.

Where My New Book Stands

The mystery is well underway. Before writing a single chapter, I spent months developing a detailed scene-by-scene outline — a process far more extensive than anything I've done before.

While the genre may be different, I think readers will still recognize the elements that define my work: layered characters, a strong sense of place, and emotional depth beneath the surface. The difference is that this story moves faster, asks darker questions, and revolves around a secret worth uncovering.

If you'd like to follow the progress of my new book, sign up here for my updates. I share news first with my list. I'll soon be revealing the book's title.

Thank you for reading. Drop me a line. I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time!