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September 22, 2021
My dear reading & writing friends,
First off, thanks to my new newsletter subscribers for joining and to everyone who shared my newsletter with a friend! I truly appreciate your support in helping me get the word around. The winner of my giveaway of the Advance Reader Copy of Down a Dark River is Cindy Spear. Congratulations!
There are fewer than two months until Down a Dark River reaches bookstores, libraries, and kindles! Early reviews have been kind and enthusiastic, and I've loved them, of course (what author doesn't?). One of my favorites is from Susanna Calkins, the author of two historical mystery series: “Gritty, compelling and vividly written. . . . Like Anne Perry, Odden demonstrates a commanding grasp of authentic period detail.”
As many of you know, I take pride in my "authentic period detail" — in getting the facts right. Here, I am going to share just 3 weird little factoids — I am calling them #VicTrivia — that helped shape Down a Dark River. I'll be posting one each day on Facebook and Instagram, starting 30 days out, beginning on October 10, but you, my friends, are getting these in advance.
 #VicTrivia #1: What's significant about this policeman's hat?
Answer: It's quite stylish, isn't it? It was also intended to be reassuring to the public.
When Queen Victoria’s reign began in 1837, policing was a pretty haphazard business. In London, you had the Bow Street Runners investigating crime and watchmen patrolling the streets; in the outlying areas, you had unpaid parish constables. In 1842 Sir Robert Peel created the new police force, known as “Bobbies” (for “Robert” Peel) or “Peelers,” bringing a new level of professionalism to the group, with established pay and procedures. But the London public was understandably nervous about the new police force. So the uniform (pictured here, 1850) was intended to be reassuring. The coat wasn't too "military," but it was easily recognizable; and the hat was a way of helping people understand that the police would be gentlemanly rather than thuggish. Another fun fact: the hat was reinforced with cane, so it could be used as step-stool in a pinch, if a policeman need to look over a tall wall.
 #VicTrivia #2: How many detective-inspectors from Scotland Yard are on trial at the Old Bailey for taking bribes and helping criminals escape, in this 1877 image?
Answer: 4. They were Inspectors Clarke, Mickeljohn, Druscovich, and Palmer.
What is somewhat alarming is that these four men weren't rookie inspectors; among them, they had 88 years of experience, which makes you wonder what else they were up to during all that time. (Hm!)
In the wake of this month-long, widely publicized scandal (the newspapers called it "The Trial of the Detectives"), the Yard was nearly disbanded by Parliament and public trust was shredded. As I began to write Down a Dark River, I thought, what if Mr. Corravan has to try to solve crimes in this atmosphere of suspicion and rehabilitate the Yard's tattered reputation?
#VicT rivia #3: Where did the Thames get its name?
Answer: The answer is about as murky as the river itself. Before the Romans, it was called "Tems," which the Romans latinized to "Tamesis." "Tame" is Celtic for "Dark One." However, most etymologists agree the name is derived from the Sanskrit (ancient Indian) "Tamasa" meaning "dark river" or "dark water," and the word spread from India through the Celts to Britain.
READ ON FOR ...
• A wonderful essay on Victorian fashion by USA TODAY bestselling author Syrie James along with a giveaway of Dracula, My Love, her romantic reimagining of Stoker's novel Dracula (1897).
• The announcement of last month's winner of Edith Maxwell's historical mystery, A Changing Light.
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More Fun Victorian Trivia!
Capes and Cloaks—and Dracula, My Love
by Syrie James
I have always been a huge fan of capes and cloaks. Wearing them is not only fun (and sometimes luxurious), but it can also feel like you’re making a fashion statement! My late husband Bill once gave me a gorgeous white winter coat, and in Dracula, My Love, my re-imagined version of Bram Stoker's 1897 classic, I wanted a scene where Mina’s husband Jonathan presents her with something similar. After all, Jonathan has to do something wonderful because in my novel, Mina is falling madly in love with Count Dracula—a brilliant, charismatic being who may not be the monster everyone supposes. (As I wrote the book, I couldn’t help falling a little bit in love with Dracula myself!)
 As I researched Victorian fashion, however, I discovered that during the era in which the novel is set, the puffed sleeves of women’s gowns were too big to fit into the sleeves of a coat, so they wore cloaks and capes instead. [My gosh, look at the size of those sleeves! You could hide a small pet in there. -KO]
Capes and cloaks have a long and colorful history. From ancient times through the early 20th century, people from every social stratum wore capes and cloaks, from commoners to ladies of fashion, wealthy aristocrats, and kings and queens. Although capes and cloaks seem similar, they are actually different garments, the main differences being their length, style, and function.
What is a cape?
A cape is shorter than a cloak, reaching no lower than the hips or the top of the thighs. Capes are generally loose in front and fasten around the neck with a hook or ties. Capes are often more colorful than cloaks and made from a wider variety of fabrics. In the Victorian era, ladies’ capes were often spectacularly trimmed with ribbons, ruffles, lace, and fringe.
 What is a cloak?
A cloak ranges from calf-length to floor-length, sometimes has openings for the arms, is more fitted and tailored than a cape, and more functional. Since ancient times, cloaks have been handy because they could double as a ground sheet, blanket, or even a tent for travelers! Cloaks often come with hoods and are designed to protect the wearer from the elements. Victorian ladies’ cloaks were often elegantly trimmed with fur and other embellishments.
Why did cloaks go out of style?
In the early 20th century when overcoats rather than cloaks became a widespread item of military uniform, civilian fashion followed. Women’s sleeves grew slimmer, and it became possible for ladies to wear coats.
 Another reason that cloaks went out of style might be attributed to the world’s most famous vampire. In the 1931 movie Dracula, which was a massive hit, Bela Lugosi famously wears a long black cloak—incorrectly described as a cape. Soon, both capes and cloaks went from being normal items of clothing a man or woman might wear to the opera to a dated costume from a monster movie.
To read more about Victorian-era capes and cloaks, together with an excerpt from my novel, click here:
https://syriejames.com/2021/08/19/victorian-capes-and-cloaks-a-dramatic-fashion-statement/
In Syrie James’s Dracula, My Mina Harker is torn between her devotion to her fiancé and her secret, scandalous passion for the powerful and charismatic vampire he is hunting: Count Dracula.
 “James gives readers an intriguing alternate theory as to the events that occurred in Stoker's classic horror tale while at the same time delivering a spooky yet thoroughly romantic love story.”
—Chicago Tribune
“A gripping story, infused with passion, excitement, and emotional turmoil. It sheds a whole new light on Count Dracula. I loved it! This vampire can bite my neck any time!”
—American Book Center
To purchase Dracula, My Love, click the book cover.
For a chance to WIN A SIGNED COPY of the book, click the magnifying glass & type GIVEAWAY in the Comment.
 Syrie: pronounced like the App, but spelled better.
SYRIE JAMES is the author of thirteen critically acclaimed novels of historical fiction, romance, and young adult fiction that have been international and USA Today bestsellers and won numerous awards. Her books have been published in more than twenty languages. Syrie, also a screenwriter and playwright, is committed to taking her characters on challenging journeys of growth and discovery. Connect with Syrie at www.syriejames.com.
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Just a reminder ... Down a Dark River is coming on November 9, 2021! To pre-order a signed hardback copy from The Poisoned Pen, click the logo. As always, thanks for supporting an indie bookstore!
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