It all started when Sara Paretsky grew tired of being the only female author at the crime writers’ conventions she attended. She started a group for female crime authors called ‘Sisters in Crime’, hoping to encourage other women to get those crime thrillers published.
There was obviously a need. The group grew and spread into other parts of the world, and I am now a member of the EU/UK chapter, even though my few attempts at crime stories have never made it into print. I don’t have a criminal mind, apparently, but I have been welcomed into this community of writers who can conjure up anything from knife in the back thrillers to amateur sleuth capers.
Last month, one of the Sisters announced that she was willing to edit an anthology of short stories and did anyone have the time to write a crime story with a Gothic setting? I didn’t have the time, but that word Gothic drew me in. Later this month I’m going for my fourth visit to Whitby Abbey, the setting for part of Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’, and that kind of imposing ruin has always impressed me.
The nineteenth century was the golden age of all things Gothic in England, drawing inspiration from the ruins found during the Grand Tours around Europe and its Asian border countries. Half-destroyed castles. Neglected stately homes with dark and cobwebby corridors. Ruined abbeys. The Sisters had no objection to moving things along into the new century, so I took my character into an abandoned warehouse and locked him in the cellar. Darkness, cobwebs, mysterious noises… I live in an old house and that’s every night around here. I am so glad I have a pet cat (‘Sasha, go to sleep!’).
Anyone with time to read and a yen for creepy crime could do worse than buy the anthology. ‘A Bouquet of Secrets’ is available for pre-order on Amazon now, and is due for release on October 31st (of course!). There are some talented crime novelists in there, and I’m looking forward to reading their interpretation of Gothic. They’re all probably creepier than an idiot hero who thinks it’s a laff to go exploring an abandoned warehouse…
Julia Chalkley 