Please join Colin Falconer as he tours the blogosphere for the first book in his William Shakespeare Detective Agency series, The School of Night, from January 10-February 6. Thanks to Amy Bruno of HFVBT, I am giving away one print copy of ‘The School of Night’ by Colin Falconer.
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Cool Gus Publishing
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 168
Series: The William Shakespeare Detective Agency
Genre: Historical Mystery
“My name is William Shakespeare. No, not that Shakespeare; and no jests please, I’ve heard them all. I’m the other one, the ne’er do well cousin, the loafer, known to family and friends as the dunce, the one who could not recite Cicero or Horace, who could never be as good as his clever cuz, the one who has just come to Bishopsgate from Stratford with silly dreams in his head and a longing to make something more of himself than just a glover’s handyman.”
What he finds in London is Lady Elizabeth Talbot, who is willing to pass a few shillings to this blundering brawler if he will help her find her husband. Poor William does not realize the trail will lead to the truth behind the death of Shakespeare’s great rival, Christopher Marlowe – or to a lifelong love affair with a woman far above his station.
Each book tells the story of William’s adventures as England’s first gumshoe, set against turbulent Elizabethan politics; of his romantic pursuit of the impossible Elizabeth Talbot; while charting the career of his up and coming dramatist cousin, the bard of Stratford, but just Will to his family.
My Interview with Colin Falconer:
Today I am very excited to be interviewing Colin Falconer, author of ‘The School of Night: The William Shakespeare Detective Agency’!
TR: Hi Colin, welcome to The Teddy Rose Reviews Plus, please tell us a little about yourself and background.
CF: I’ve been a full time writer now for thirty years, twenty five of those as a novelist. I’m what they call a hybrid these days – I publish traditionally, but I also publish work like my Shakespeare series independently. I guess I’ve published around fifty books. I’m originally from London, I’ve lived in Spain for a while, I’m living in Australia at the moment … but next week – who knows?
TR: At what point in your life did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
CF: I wrote my first full length epic poem – pity the poor literary agents who have to read this stuff! – when I was 16. My brother said I was born with a pen in my hand, which must have been painful for my mother.
TR: I know that there is a lot of research that goes into writing historical fiction. Approximately how much time do you take to research a book versus, actually writing the book?
CF: I recently published a book about Isabella, who was married to Edward II. Now I knew there was this huge website devoted just to Edward, and what these people did not know about Isabella and that period was not worth knowing. So when the book was finished I sent them a copy of the book to review. I got a good review from them and more importantly they said I had my research spot on. It’s crucial to me to get my research right. But I spend just as much time studying the story elements. No point in getting your research right if your poor reader has to plod through a painful retelling of history. I spend a lot of time on structure as well.
TR: Are there any authors who you have found inspiration from for your writing?
CF: Lindsey Davis and her Falco series. I loved the way she set that up. There was a thriller element but it was also funny, and the dialogue sparkled.
TR: Describe the room you are sitting in as though it was a scene in ‘The School of Night.
CF: I had closed all the windows and doors so the east wind cannot enter. In summer, at Epiphany, the heat can suck the juice out of a man and leave just bones and skin. Down in the street I heard the joggers headed out to the river. The sun rises over the escarpment, the first light reflected in the distant glass towers of the city.
Shakespeare sat across from me, a sour look on his face as he watched me tapping on the keys of the laptop. ‘You do know I never had a cousin called William, don’t you?’
‘Will, it’s fiction. Romeo and Juliet weren’t real either.’ He sighed and went to the kitchen to pour another coffee from the machinetta.
‘Save some for me,’ I said.
‘Truly, thou art damned like an ill roasted egg,’ he said, ‘all on one side.’ Then he picked up the newspaper and went back to bed.
TR: Is there a character in ‘The School of Night’ or another one of your books, that you love to hate? How about a favorite character?
CF: I think my favorite villain is Ruby Wen in the OPIUM series. Sexy, sassy and completely amoral. Incredible balls, and completely without conscience. And Alexander the Great, in my upcoming book with St Martin’s Press – Colossus. A complete monster but so charming, as so many psychopaths are.
TR: What book/s are you currently working on?
CF: I have an alternative history epic that I’m almost finished, then a follow up to Isabella, then books three and four of the Shakespeare series. I have a busy year!
TR: Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule today Colin!
CF: Thank you for inviting me onto your blog, Teddy! All the best.
Buy the Book
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository
IndieBound
About the Author
Born in London, Colin first trialed as a professional football player in England, and was eventually brought to Australia. He went to Sydney and worked in TV and radio and freelanced for many of Australia’s leading newspapers and magazines. He has published over twenty novels and his work has so far been translated into 23 languages.
He travels regularly to research his novels and his quest for authenticity has led him to run with the bulls in Pamplona, pursue tornadoes across Oklahoma and black witches across Mexico, go cage shark diving in South Africa and get tear gassed in a riot in La Paz.
He currently lives in Barcelona.
For more information please visit Colin Falconer’s website. You can also find him on Facebook or follow on Twitter.
This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on January 29, 2015. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
The School of Night Blog Tour Schedule
Saturday, January 10
Spotlight at Historical Readings and Views
Monday, January 12
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Tuesday, January 13
Spotlight at Layered Pages
Thursday, January 15
Interview & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews
Friday, January 16
Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews
Monday, January 19
Spotlight at Susan Heim on Writing
Tuesday, January 20
Review at Book Nerd
Thursday, January 22
Review at Just One More Chapter
Friday, January 23
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation
Saturday, January 24
Spotlight at Historical Fiction Obsession
Sunday, January 25
Review at Beth’s Book Nook Blog
Monday, January 26
Review at Boom Baby Reviews
Wednesday, January 28
Review at Carpe Librum
Thursday, January 29
Interview at Mina’s Bookshelf
Interview at Books and Benches
Spotlight at The Never-Ending Book
Friday, January 30
Review at Brooke Blogs
Friday, February 6
Spotlight at Passages to the Past
Intriguing and fascinating. thanks.
I like the fact that this book is set in an historical setting. Have always enjoyed mysteries and historical novels. This book has an element of both in one shot. Looking forward to reading this book.
Colin Falconer occupies what impresses me as a unique niche in the area of historical fiction. When I read about any of his works, I’m not shocked at all, but there’s something slippery about him to me. Not in a skeevy way, but in an intriguing one. I hope the more I learn about and read his writing he slips into truly great surprises through his less tightly constrained style that is not confined within a proven brand, if you know what I mean. Or at least his work doesn’t fit within a neat brand yet….
I’m not explaining this idea very well. Let me try again: frankly, at first blush, some of his books have looked so bad to me due to the cover art and a description that didn’t suggest any thematic depth. I’ve harbored severe concerns about Orientalism based on first impressions. But on those occasions, I sampled the text and while I cannot guarantee my concerns were 100% baseless, I found something surprising and interesting and not at all narrow and hackneyed as soon as I began my perusal both times. Im very eager to see where this author can take me in this particular journey!
Hats off to Mr. Falconer. Thanks for this great featured interview, Teddy — and the giveaway, of course. Cheers, Kara S
In sum, I need to read the Falconer titles I already have, but I’d love to get another — I’m confident they’ll offer a range of experiences for me as I read.
This story of William’s adventures as England’s first gumshoe sounds like an entertaining read ! !
dkstevensneAToutlook DoTCoM
This sounds like a fascinating setting for a mystery series. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds like a great premise for a novel. Very interesting.
It is an interesting idea for a series.
Have pinned this. I have read other books by Colin Falconer, but not this series. Mystery is my first love, so I will be sure to look for this and others in the series.