Tag Archives: a tale of two murders

#Goodreads Giveaway for print copies of A Tale of Two Murders 6/3-6/21

My publisher is generously offering up twenty-five print copies of my debut historical mystery novel to readers. Visit https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/280803-a-tale-of-two-murders to enter the contest!

blurb:

A Tale of Two Murders

A Tale of Two Murders

On the eve of the Victorian era, London has a new sleuth . . .

In the winter of 1835, young Charles Dickens is a journalist on the rise at the Evening Chronicle. Invited to dinner at the estate of the newspaper’s co-editor, Charles is smitten with his boss’s daughter, vivacious nineteen-year-old Kate Hogarth. They are having the best of times when a scream shatters the pleasant evening. Charles, Kate, and her father rush to the neighbors’ home, where Miss Christiana Lugoson lies unconscious on the floor. By morning, the poor young woman will be dead.

When Charles hears from a colleague of a very similar mysterious death a year ago to the date, also a young woman, he begins to suspect poisoning and feels compelled to investigate. The lovely Kate offers to help–using her social position to gain access to the members of the upper crust, now suspects in a murder. If Charles can find justice for the victims, it will be a far, far better thing than he has ever done. But with a twist or two in this most peculiar case, he and Kate may be in for the worst of times . . .

Starred Review from Kirkus Review: A Tale of Two Murders by Heather Redmond

I’m so excited to announce that my first historical mystery under my new Heather Redmond name has received a coveted Starred Review from Kirkus Reviews!

Here is the complete text:

A TALE OF TWO MURDERS [STARRED REVIEW!]
Author: Heather Redmond

Review Issue Date: May 15, 2018
Online Publish Date: May 1, 2018
Publisher:Kensington
Pages: 320
Price ( Hardcover ): $26.00
Publication Date: July 31, 2018
ISBN ( Hardcover ): 978-1-4967-1715-3
Category: Fiction
Classification: Mystery

A ghastly poisoning sets a young writer on the trail of a killer in Victorian London. January 1835 finds rising journalist Charles Dickens enjoying Epiphany dinner with his editor, George Hogarth, and his family in Brompton when a terrible scream splits the air. Dickens, Hogarth, and Hogarth’s daughter Kate rush next door to Lugoson House. There, Lady Lugoson’s daughter, Christiana, who’s been taken violently ill, dies before her mother’s horrified eyes despite the ministrations of the host of doctors summoned to her bedside. The next day, at the offices of the Evening Chronicle, Charles confides his unease to fellow journalist William Aga. How could Christiana Lugoson have become mortally ill when none of the other dinner guests were affected? William recalls the similar death of another young woman, Marie Rueff, just one year ago at Epiphany. Watching young Charles sniff out the connection between the two deaths is only part of the fun. Readers can also watch the sweet, unsurprising romance between Charles and Kate unfold at a modest but steady pace and can travel through a historical London that’s vivid without being overcrowded with detail. Each character’s voice is distinctive and appropriate to the period, and Redmond’s exposition is as stately and lucid as any contemporary reader could wish. Redmond, who writes romance under the names Heather Hiestand and Anh Leod, adds crime to her portfolio. Mystery fans and history buffs alike should cheer.

Favorite Historical Mysteries, a new Pinterest board

I track most of my reading on Goodreads. Generally I don’t put in the middle grade books I read every day with my 3rd grader (sooo much Geronimo Stilton), but just about everything else is in there. I went through the past six months or so of my reading and started to build a visual representation of my favorite historical mysteries on Pinterest. I’d love to know your favorites, and hope you enjoy my reads! I started writing historical mystery in late 2016, and my first Heather Redmond tale will be out this July…

I’m Dreaming of…a Newly Furnished Living Room


I'm Dreaming of...a Newly Furnished Living Room
Gender not specified View treeBorn:
Father: UnspecifiedMother: Unspecified
Children: none
Siblings: none

Do you dream of the perfect reading nook?

Last year’s holiday season brought a drum kit into my living room of eleven years. This prompted a historic reimagining of where our Christmas tree would live this year. All of which, coupled with the fact that I’m working on a Charles Dickens Christmas mystery right now, made me think of my living room past, present, and future.

Once upon a time, I had a blue corduroy high-end recliner in one corner of the bow window. Next to it was an antique piecrust table with two levels, that I’d purchased or inherited somewhere along the way. I framed a photo of a gorgeous bouquet of flowers in a white wood frame, so I always had a touch of spring, and placed it on the bottom level of the table. Intermixed were candles and family photos, nicely framed. A tall lamp added illumination.

It was my happy place.

On to the present. Someone rearranged my living room. The chair broke. The table broke. The lamp broke. I had a toddler so no more candles in the living room. The flowers disappeared. Now, in another part of this large room, I own a brown corduroy chair, not nearly as plush (but made in America), a cheap lamp from Target, and an unfinished wooden table with a big pile of middle grade books perched there. The sense of peace and pretty are gone.

What might my future reading and writing nook look like? I’m going to dream, using www.arhaus.com. Come imagine your new favorite spot with me!

First of all, I must have the Easton 33″ Upholstered Tufted Recliner in Elmont Ink-. It’s so elegant. It would probably be the nicest piece of furniture I ever owned, and bonus – it’s made in America!

I’ve written a trilogy set in the 1920s, so I think I need this table along the wall behind my recliner. I love the mirror finish. It can hold a nice stack of my research books for Christmas Carol Murdered, with a side of mushroom books for my next Krinar story.

I need a table to the left of my chair. It will hold my water (I’m drinking lots these days), a kid book or two, my bullet journal, my phone… I don’t think I can resist the iron console table, even if it is probably too large. I’m researching trains for…reasons…and this will remind me about that project.

Of course I need a nice lamp, preferably one my father isn’t afraid will explode on me one of these days. I always buy floor lamps, but my console table will have room for a table lamp if I want to go that route for once. Here are some prime options. The Marla floor lamp has a lovely period feel, and I like lamps with a “hang” to them that I can turn around to refocus on whatever I’m doing. The Domino table lamp is a good fit for me. It reminds me of both the geometry of 1920s designs, and Native American baskets. It’s nice to put hints of both my hobby (basket weaving) and my heritage (Delaware/Cherokee tribes among many other ethnicities) into my home décor. Arhaus has many unique lighting pieces to accent a reading nook. 

This basket is nicer than I’m capable of making, and it might look nice on one of my new tables. It harkens back to the table lamp.

On the other side of the room, I might hang this Rain at Sea framed print. It would be a nice way to let my eyes relax after long hours at the computer, and looks appropriately Pacific Northwest.

What do I think? Did I build myself the perfect space for creative work and relaxation? What do you need in your special space?

Here is my Pinterest board! https://www.pinterest.com/heatherhiestand/dream-living-room/