1923 ~ Reviewing Murder on the SS Rosa + big announcement

Scroll to the bottom to see the big announcement.

I started the first draft of Murder on the SS Rosa in January 2017. I had no idea it would be the start of my "breakout series". Ginger Gold resonated with readers, and no one was more surprised than me at how popular the series became and that seven years later, there'd be 25 books, several short stories, and 2 spin off series. I thought it would be fun to take a look back. 

I'm not sure why I decided to start in 1923. Probably because it was five years after the Great War and that seemed long enough for characters to have gotten on with life without forgetting how horrible it was.

The world underwent profound changes during that period, setting the stage for much of the 20th century's social, political, and economic landscape.

The repercussions of World War I, the rise of new ideologies, economic instability, and cultural transformations all contributed to a period of intense flux and redefinition, shaping the course of history in significant ways.

1. End of World War I (1918):

• Armistice and Peace Treaties: The war officially ended on November 11, 1918, with the signing of the Armistice. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 formally ended the war between Germany and the Allied Powers. 
• Dissolution of Empires: The Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, German, and Russian Empires collapsed, leading to the redrawing of borders in Europe and the Middle East. This dissolution resulted in the creation of new nations, such as Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Turkey.

2. Political Changes:

• Rise of New Ideologies: The interwar period saw the rise of new political ideologies. The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 in Russia led to the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922, marking the rise of communism as a global force. Fascism began to gain traction in Italy, where Benito Mussolini came to power in 1922.

3. Economic Upheaval:

• Post-War Economic Challenges: The war had devastated European economies, leading to widespread unemployment, inflation, and debt. The reparations imposed on Germany created a severe economic crisis, culminating in hyperinflation by 1923, where the German mark became virtually worthless.
• Reconstruction Efforts: The United States emerged as a global economic power, lending money to European nations for reconstruction. The Dawes Plan of 1924 was introduced to stabilize the German economy and ease the reparations burden.

4. Social Changes:

• Women’s Rights Movement: The war had significantly altered the role of women in society, as many had taken on jobs traditionally held by men. This period saw a growing movement for women’s rights, including suffrage. Women gained the right to vote in several countries, including the United States in 1920 and the United Kingdom (for women over 30) in 1918.
• Cultural Shifts: The 1920s, often referred to as the "Roaring Twenties" or the "Jazz Age," saw significant cultural changes. There was a sense of liberation and modernity, with new forms of entertainment, fashion, and social norms emerging. 

5. International Relations:

• League of Nations: The League of Nations was established in 1920 as part of the Treaty of Versailles. It was the first international organization aimed at maintaining world peace, though it was ultimately ineffective in preventing future conflicts.

6. Technological Advances:

• Advances in Transportation and Communication: The period saw significant advancements in technology, including the proliferation of automobiles, airplanes, and radio. These innovations began to reshape daily life, enabling faster travel and communication.

All of this provided fertile ground for the creation of the character, Ginger Gold and her found family. I spent a lot of time thinking about what Ginger would be like. I wanted her to be strong, "modern", and likeable, while at the same time, challenged with difficult memories of the past, a history that would make her three dimensional. I needed her to have skills not normally found in women of that time, skills that would make her an extraordinary sleuth, so I decided she should be a former spy. I wanted to bridge the Atlantic, so to speak, so I made her both British and American. And if British, then she must be a Lady!

Though cars were becoming a a popular form of transportation, passenger air travel was still a long way away.The first non-stop transatlantic passenger flight was in 1939, flying from Southampton, England, to New York.

Which meant Ginger would have to travel by boat, and more specifically by steamship.

This era was part of the golden age of ocean liners, characterized by luxury, elegance, and a sense of adventure. Here’s a detailed description of steamship travel during that time:

1. The Ocean Liners

• Types of Ships: The early 1920s saw the use of large, sophisticated ocean liners that were powered by steam engines. These ships were the pinnacle of maritime engineering, with companies like Cunard Line, White Star Line, and Hamburg America Line operating some of the most famous vessels.
• Speed and Power: Steam engines powered these liners, allowing them to travel at relatively high speeds for the time, averaging about 20-25 knots (23-29 mph). The crossing of the Atlantic Ocean typically took about 5-7 days, depending on the weather and the specific route.

2. Passenger Experience

• Class Structure: Steamship travel was divided into different classes, with first class being the most luxurious, followed by second class (or cabin class), and third class (often referred to as steerage).

  • First Class: This was the epitome of luxury, with passengers enjoying large, well-appointed cabins, fine dining, and access to a variety of amenities including libraries, smoking rooms, and grand dining halls. The service was impeccable, and the passengers were often affluent individuals, including celebrities, business magnates, and aristocrats.
  • Second Class: Also known as cabin class, this provided comfortable accommodations with fewer luxuries than first class. Passengers in second class had access to decent cabins, shared dining facilities, and common areas.
  • Third Class: This was the most basic form of accommodation, catering primarily to immigrants or those traveling on a budget. The quarters were often crowded and less comfortable, with passengers sharing large dormitory-style rooms. Despite the more austere conditions, third-class passengers were provided with adequate food and basic amenities.

• Onboard Amenities: First-class passengers enjoyed a wide range of amenities, including opulent dining rooms with gourmet meals, smoking rooms, music lounges, and promenade decks where they could stroll and enjoy the sea air. The quality of the food and service was particularly high in first class, with multi-course meals served by attentive staff.

• Social Life: Steamship travel was a social affair, especially in first and second class. Passengers dressed for dinner, attended formal balls, and engaged in socializing with fellow travelers. These voyages were not just a means of transportation but also a form of leisure, with passengers often mingling in the lounges, playing cards, reading in libraries, or attending concerts and other entertainments organized by the ship's crew.

Naturally, that meant a murder would take place on board!

Murder’s a pain in the bow!

It's 1923 and war widow fashionista Ginger Gold (a former British Secret Service Agent) makes a cross-Atlantic journey from Boston to London, England with her lovable Boston terrier and good friend, Nurse Higgins. When the ship's captain is found dead in a most intriguing fashion, Ginger is only too happy to lend her assistance to the handsome Chief Inspector Basil Reed. Wearing her Italian T-strap shoes and pretty cloche hat she must outwit the killer before she finds herself in a deadly pickle!

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There's no question that one of the big attractions about the 1920s is the fashion.

There was a marked transformation during the twenty years from 1903 to 1923, when women started freeing themselves from the corset, long hair that required being kept in a loose updo, and gradually exposing more skin with shorter hems and sleeves, along with bobbed hair and tighter cloche hats. 

Men's fashion evolved as well, as demonstrated by this illustration.

Which brings me to the dapper gentleman of the series, Chief Inspector Basil Reed.

(Basil is pronounced with a soft a, not a long a as in the herb.)

Most cozy mysteries will introduce a love interest for the main character at some point, often a member of the police force, as it give the amateur sleuth access to information only the police have. The tension over official police work and what feels like amature interference, is a fun push-pull between characters who have an undeniable attraction to each other. This is usually a slow burn romance that advances over the course of many books, as it does with Ginger and Basil. In their case, though they are immediately drawn to one another each has a past that keeps them from acting on it, at least, right away.

A murder mystery naturally needs a body.

And when on a ship, who better than the captain to take the fall? And who would want to kill him? The embittered wife, the scorned girlfriend, the angry second-in-command? Perhaps, Ginger herself, to right a wrong against her late father? 

Writing a "who-dun-it" is like creating a literary puzzle. It's incumbent on the author to stay a step or two ahead of their clever reader ~ not an easy task!

My Big Announcement.

I've developed an online writing program called First Draft Framework for mystery readers who want to take a stab at writing their own murder mystery. (See what I did there, lol)

In this small group pilot program, I’ll help you get from the first blank page to THE END of your first draft.

Do any of these sound familiar?

• You’ve dreamed about writing a book.
• You don’t know how to get started.
• Or you’ve started but can’t finish.

Imagine how it would feel to…

• Have a plan to get from start to finish.
• Have guidance by someone who’s done it many, many times.
• Enjoy  the feeling of creating and completing your first mystery novel.

IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS INTERESTING TO YOU, EMAIL ME AT LEESTRAUSSBOOKS@GMAIL.COM AND SAY "I'M INTERESTED." 

I'll reply with all the details.