A Wicked Welcome to John Copenhaver *giveaway*

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by Julie, springing in Somerville

I am delighted to welcome John Copenhaver back to the blog today! He is a wonderful writer of historical mysteries, and a great member of the crime writing community. I can’t wait to read the second book in his Nightingale Trilogy.

Chasing a mood

by John Copenhaver

I didn’t begin writing historical fiction because I have a great love of history. That’s not to say I don’t have deep respect for historians, especially those who explore beyond traditionally accepted narratives about a time, place, or type of people. As a gay man, I’m aware of how misunderstood the histories of LGBTQ+ people have been—and, frankly, continue to be. However, that’s not why I was drawn to write about post-WWII America and, more specifically, the 1950s in my new novel, Hall of Mirrors.

The truth is, when I write, I’m chasing a mood. It’s lush, dark, and claustrophobic. Think of the shadowy, rain-slick streets in your favorite film noir, such as The Killers (1946) or Out of the Past (1947). But it’s also shimmering with color, a baby blue satin dress rippling in the breeze, cherry blossom petals blown from a tree by an approaching storm, like imagery from a Douglas Sirk film. I love movies and, as a writer, have a cinematic style. I think in scenes and imagery, as much as in characterization. Like my favorite films, I want to create a definite mood in the reader’s mind that connects to a central theme: how surfaces deceive and how the moral absolutes they often offer us are, well, more complicated than they first appear.

Historical framework and fine detail help establish a period’s culture—its aspirations and anxieties, and its triumphs and disgraces. The glossy superficiality of the 1950s covered up deep and unacknowledged trauma caused by the Second World War and heightened by the looming threat of atomic annihilation that brought on the Cold War.

It’s true. In fiction, we need to convey a historical period’s social and political dimensions. It’s a requirement of the subgenre, I would argue. However, we also need to employ imagery that accumulates to create a distinct mood because it’s the mood that communicates how historical facts translate into emotions, and emotions all too often run the world. As a writer of historical fiction, I was drawn to the post-war mood because it resonates with digital media’s glossy and deceptive surfaces and with my journey to make myself seen in a straight-biased world. I was chasing a mood that once suffused mid-century America and is again with us today.

What mystery novels have you read that have unforgettable moods? What was it about the mood that has stuck with you? I’ll send two commenters a copy of Hall of Mirrors, U.S. only.

Bio:

John Copenhaver is the award-winning author of Dodging and Burning and The Savage Kind and is a co-founder of Queer Crime Writers. He co-hosts on the House of Mystery Radio Show and is a faculty mentor at the University of Nebraska’s Low-Residency MFA. His new novel is Hall of Mirrors.

Hall of Mirrors blurb:

When a popular mystery novelist dies suspiciously, his writing partner must untangle the author’s connection to a serial killer, in award-winning John Copenhaver’s new novel set in 1950s McCarthy-era Washington, DC.

Buy link:

https://johncopenhaver.com/order-hall-of-mirrors

Socials:

Instagram: @johncope74

Twitter: @johncopenhaver

FB: @johncopenhaverauthor

TikTok: @johncope74

Website: www.johncopenhaver.com

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Published by J.A. Hennrikus

One woman, three names, many books. As Julia Henry I wrote the Garden Squad series for Kensington. As J.A. Hennrikus I wrote the Theater Cop series, and as Julianne Holmes I wrote the Clock Shop series. I've been an arts administrator for my entire career, mostly in the performing arts. Currently I'm the ED of Sisters in Crime, a wonderful organization that promotes and supports crime writers. www.sistersincrime.org Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram! @JHAuthors

31 Thoughts

  2. I love this, John. Your new book is waiting on my coffee table for when I get back from a quick granddaughter trip I’m on. Can’t wait!

    I grew up in the 1950s and my white suburban life seemed safe and while modest, rather idyllic. It’s been a much needed eye opener to learn in my later years of the horrible things that happened, of the darker sides.

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    1. Thank you, Edith! Yes, there are many different experiences of 1950s. It was fascinating to research and then bring all that research into creating the mood.

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  3. For me. Louise Penny’s mysteries have unforgettable moods. She has made the village of Three Pines a character in the books. Especially the stories that take place in winter. She describes the snow and the mood of the village and the villagers very well. Congratulations on your new release!

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  5. The Mystery series by A.D. Scott is captivating and very moody due to the locale which captures my interest.

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  6. Novels by Wendy Webb are definitely moody with the setting that she writes about. The vivid descriptions of the season and weather are so accurate.

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    1. Finding new and fresh ways to describe the weather is challenging. When a writer is doing it well, I’m always impressed … and weather is an important part of mood.

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  7. When I read the series by A.D. Scott set in the 1950’s Scotland starting with A Small Death in a Great Glen hooked me immediately. Moody and amazing.

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  8. I love how you say it’s “shimmering with color” – it’s so true. Every emotion, scene, person – each one evokes a color to me and it constantly changes depending on mood, times, etc. I loved Tomorrow by Damian Dibbins – it’s about a dog who travels through two centuries to find his master. It was such an emotional rollercoaster of love and fear. Thank you for the chance to win your book. aprilbluetx at yahoo dot com

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  9. I love the comment, “I’m chasing a mood.” This evokes so much and I look forward to reading this and experiencing this mood you have orchestrated in your book.

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  10. Thanks for visiting, John! When I think of an unforgettable mood in a mystery, I go to SHUTTER ISLAND. The setting and weather were so intimidating in that story!

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  11. that is an interesting question as i can’t say that i remember any that had an unforgettable mood. Perhaps because for me it is just a piece of the whole rather than separate.

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  12. Simone St.James has captured mood perfectly in her gothic type novels which are intriguing and unique.

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  14. The Tradd Street series by Karen White is a great historical series. She really captures the city of Charleston SC.

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  15. I enjoy the Beryl and Edwina Mysteries by Jessica Ellicott. I love the English setting!

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    1. You’ve entered to win by replying to the blog post. I’ll pull names from a hat early in the week.

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  17. Pingback: Summer Reads – The Wickeds

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