Author R&R with R.J. Koreto

R.J. Koreto is the author of the Historic Home mystery series set in modern New York City; the Lady Frances Ffolkes mystery series, set in Edwardian England; and the Alice Roosevelt mystery series, set in turn-of-the-century New York. His short stories have been published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, as well as various anthologies. In his day job, he works as a business and financial journalist. Over the years, he’s been a magazine writer and editor, website manager, PR consultant, book author, and seaman in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Like his heroine, Lady Frances Ffolkes, he’s a graduate of Vassar College. With his wife and daughters, he divides his time between Rockland County, N.Y., and Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.

Koreto's latest novel is Winter's Season, set in 1817 London, a city teeming with life, yet lacking a professional police force. When a wealthy young woman is brutally murdered in an alley frequented by prostitutes, a shadowy government bureau in Whitehall dispatches its "special emissary"—Captain Winter. A veteran of the Napoleonic Wars and a gentleman forged by chance and conflict, Winter is uniquely equipped to navigate the treacherous currents of London society, from aristocratic drawing rooms to the city's grimmest taverns.

Without an army of officers or the aid of forensic science, Winter must rely on his wits and a network of unconventional allies. His childhood friend, a nobleman, opens doors in high society, while a wise Jewish physician uncovers secrets the dead cannot hide. But Winter's most intriguing, and potentially dangerous, asset is Barbara Lightwood. Shrewd, beautiful, and operating as a discreet intermediary among the elite, Barbara shares a past with Winter from the war years. Their rekindled affair is fraught with wariness; she offers intimate information crucial to his investigation, but guards her own secrets fiercely. Like Winter, she is both cunning and capable of danger.

From grand houses to dimly lit streets, death stalks Captain Winter. He must tread carefully to unmask a killer, navigate a web of secrets and lies, and perhaps, in the process, save his own soul.

R.J. Koreto stops by In Reference to Murder to take some Author R&R about researching and writing the book:

My background is in journalism, so I have an obsession with getting everything correct. And I extend that to fiction. My next book, "Winter's Season," takes place during the Regency Era, the time of Jane Austen. I had read her in the past for pleasure, but for "Winter's Season," I read her for research.

First, we'll start with historical issues that are easy to research, leading to some fun discoveries. Take my sleuth, Captain Edmund Winter, a battle-hardened veteran of the Napoleonic Wars. He's now a special criminal investigator for a shadowy government bureau. How would he handle himself in London's dark streets? Asian martial arts like jiu-jitsu had not yet made their way West, but I found the French had a well-developed kickboxing style. Winter, who speaks French, learns the technique while guarding French prisoners during the war. Presto! An interesting angle for my hero—and accurate. (French kickboxing evolved into the modern sport of savate.)

Crime…but no police

Researching crime in Regency London required a little more work. The renowned Scotland Yard was still more than a decade in the future. Why so late? Because the English really didn't want it. There was a general feeling among the English that a professional police force was too close to a standing army quashing their freedoms. My sleuth, Captain Winter, is fictional, as is the secret bureau he works for. However, I tried to be true to what I suspected would be resentment of his investigations, even when people didn't have anything to hide. I added this to my book for a realistic tone.

A touch of class

Here's where Jane Austen comes in, as I had to delve into the less tangible aspects of a different time. We don't think about class much anymore, but it was deeply important in the Regency. I had to think about how my characters would react with each other based on their positions in life.

So I jumped into "Pride & Prejudice" and its complex class issues: The Bennets are landed gentry. Indeed, all the "right" people got their money from owning land. Mr. Bingley has a lot of money but it's from—"gasp"—trade, so he's not quite at the top. However, his money makes it excusable, as he has a lot more of it than the Bennets. This can be seen as making it all even; Mrs. Bennet is certainly happy with the match!

Darcy comes from an aristocratic family, so outranks everyone. Elizabeth is definitely marrying up at the end, explaining why Darcy's aunt, the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, is enraged.

I used these subtleties to create Captain Winter and describe his relationships. He comes from an obscure background, but by chance becomes an officer and a gentleman. Or does he? He may sit at tables with lords and ladies, but he does not forget where he comes from, and knows others won't either. I thought of the pairings in "Pride & Prejudice" as I set up Winter's romantic life. A sweet farm girl, who reminds Winter of his childhood, wants to marry him, but is it too late? Has his life changed so much that he can never go back? An aristocratic debutante has fallen in love with him, and refuses to realize that although Winter can dance with her at a ball, marrying her is out of the question. She'd be disowned; Winter would be an outcast.

Of course, Winter can't spend too much time or energy on romance. He has a murder to solve, when the daughter of a good family is found on a grim alley in one of London's worst slums. I know: There's nothing Jane Austen about this! I have to admit that "Pride & Prejudice" isn't the only book I read for research. I dusted off my old copy of "The Maltese Falcon." It seems there's a bit of Sam Spade in Captain Winter as well…

 

You can learn more about R.J. Kareto via his website and follow him on Facebook and Instagram. Winter’s Season is now available via Histria/Simon & Schuster and all major booksellers.