WHY AM I WRITING MARY COPELAND?

People regularly ask me why I write these kinds of books. A detective, they understand that, but why set in the nineteenth century? In short, why am I writing Mary Copeland? I was asked that question last year by a reviewer of the website Vrouwentrhillers.nl. It turned out to be an entire interview that can be found on that Dutch site: https://www.vrouwenthrillers.nl/index.php?page=interviewdetail&id=3113 You can translate the text by copying and cutting and using Google translate. I took the part from that interview that deals with why I write those books:

“Mary Copeland was created in 2017/2018 (the first part appeared in 2019). I often wrote about that period (Belle Epoque, also the title of my latest collection of short stories) and my two novels are also set in that period. Furthermore, I have always enjoyed television series and films set during that time (think of Sherlock Holms or The league of extraordinary gentlemen). It’s not that I would like to live in those times (think of the dentist in particular and, more seriously, of the huge gap between rich and poor), but a lot happened in all kinds of areas, including the rise of women’s rights ( suffragettes) and that link brought me to a female character, someone who, in an already rather complicated time with ranks and positions and great differences between the status of men and women […] ‘stands her ground’ and thus one of the champions and examples of the women’s movement.”

As I write more parts, I come across more from that time. Of course, that’s what research takes care of. For each story I look for which paintings were made by which artists in that year and I choose one that fits the story for me or that inspires me. I also look at what was happening in London at that time or in other parts of England which I can use for a story. I learn a lot from that and also become more and more familiar with the world from that time and yes, I like that. People ask if I still have enough ideas for the next part, but that actually goes without saying. As long as I am still touched by my characters, what they experience and what happened during that time, I will continue to write about it.

With kind regards,

Robbert Jan.

Photo: Farringdon Street London 1890 (stock image).

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