tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post3460302814479282859..comments2023-08-13T04:39:27.166-04:00Comments on Meritorious Mysteries: Guest Blogger Susan Wittig AlbertMsmstryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482398424851486681noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-58310161221517415672010-07-15T12:49:33.169-04:002010-07-15T12:49:33.169-04:00I think all your books contain some Tacit Knowledg...I think all your books contain some Tacit Knowledge, which will soon be lost, when the new generation takes the place of the one before.<br /><br />Thank you for that!Christine Hammarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14291339756674225110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-73682385313773958622010-07-14T09:51:38.634-04:002010-07-14T09:51:38.634-04:00That's a great compliment, Linda--thank you! T...That's a great compliment, Linda--thank you! This is exactly what I love about this series, too: it allows me to revisit a time in my own life (mid-1940s) when I stayed with my grandparents on their rural MO farm. Grandma learned cooking/housekeeping in the 1890s and still practiced what she had learned, until electricity arrived and changed the way she cooked and cleaned. I still remember the sound of the aluminum dipper clanging against the white enamel water bucket. Lovely memories.susanalberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06593314069397524232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-50858771670328169402010-07-14T09:14:18.816-04:002010-07-14T09:14:18.816-04:00I am reading the Darling Dahlias now and it's ...I am reading the Darling Dahlias now and it's such a treat! Each time I pick it up I am taken to a time and place where life was far removed from where I am now. The simple act of hanging a washbasin on a nail by the door reminded me of my grandma's house. It's hard to keep myself from devouring this one all at once - I want to make it last!Linda Hoyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06282472383796346025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-42384164257004151732010-07-14T09:01:21.826-04:002010-07-14T09:01:21.826-04:00Thanks, Judy! My problem with this series is that ...Thanks, Judy! My problem with this series is that I'm far more interested in characters, place, and period than I am in concocting a "mystery" plot. It's hard to come up with a "crime" that is likely to occur in a small town, and use amateurs to solve it realistically. My main beef with most cozies: the plots are artificially constructed on unrealistic criminal activity.susanalberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06593314069397524232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-21695085248954347292010-07-14T00:18:37.527-04:002010-07-14T00:18:37.527-04:00I love the Darling Dahlias; they're spunky wom...I love the Darling Dahlias; they're spunky women! You have really captured the feeling of a small town and I'm enjoying all the period detail. I especially enjoyed the reference to Nancy Drew :>) Keep 'em coming!<br /><br />Judy WhelleyJudy Whelleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-85209332248345116102010-07-13T16:01:15.729-04:002010-07-13T16:01:15.729-04:00You wash your broom to keep it clean, Lindy. Old h...You wash your broom to keep it clean, Lindy. Old homemaking trick. :) The Dahlias have included a list of such goodies at the end of their book.susanalberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06593314069397524232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-50970857721496353892010-07-13T15:55:49.109-04:002010-07-13T15:55:49.109-04:00I love doing research--it teaches me so much. For ...I love doing research--it teaches me so much. For the Dahlias series, I'm using online newspaper archives (that's why I can tell you what the groceries cost!), Wikipedia lists of period songs and films, and other online historical documents. For the book I just finished (#2 in the series), I even used IRS records (online) of Al Capone's tax evasion case! I use books, too, both secondary sources (books about the period) and books written during the period (Stars Fell on Alabama, for instance). One of my favorite sources: Sears Roebuck catalogs of the 1930s (I have two). Such fun to browse through them and marvel at the prices, the fabrics, the styles!susanalberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06593314069397524232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-82101270327582306652010-07-13T15:55:43.080-04:002010-07-13T15:55:43.080-04:00I have loved and devoured every single "China...I have loved and devoured every single "China" book. Am now looking forward to reading the "Darlings". Besides, I have to find out why I need to wash my broom :-D<br /><br />Lindy - 109 in the Sonoran DesertLindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05315980350142729265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-7222507002155492812010-07-13T15:38:47.527-04:002010-07-13T15:38:47.527-04:00Susan, I loved the way your weave story, herbs and...Susan, I loved the way your weave story, herbs and recipes in the China Bayles mysteries. I look to reading your latest adventure in writing.<br />Tell me about the research you do for your series?Reginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12027016924545567455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-78626178009325959222010-07-13T14:51:15.958-04:002010-07-13T14:51:15.958-04:00I've admired the photos along with the researc...I've admired the photos along with the research tidbits you have shared with each of the series; you are truly dedicated to drawing us in and opening our minds.Rhondahttp://www.resalov.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-20778540666743643702010-07-13T14:44:31.772-04:002010-07-13T14:44:31.772-04:00The first book is so good! Rich with historic fact...The first book is so good! Rich with historic facts and great characters! And I wash my broom now. :) I never would have thought to do that, but it surely makes a difference. You have to read the book to find out what I'm talking about. LOL.<br /><br />Dani<br />http://blogbooktours.blogspot.comDanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-9053671201551303052010-07-13T14:27:16.713-04:002010-07-13T14:27:16.713-04:00Thanks, Eileen--I always learn more about plants, ...Thanks, Eileen--I always learn more about plants, too! It's a pleasure to write books that teach me something I didn't know.<br /><br />Pat Bean, thanks for dropping in. I like to think of you out there, living the RV life. I've opted for roots, but I do feel the lure of the road from time to time.susanalberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06593314069397524232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-50521841691809852422010-07-13T14:21:19.277-04:002010-07-13T14:21:19.277-04:00Always enjoy your writings - great characters and ...Always enjoy your writings - great characters and fun stories and I love learn more about plants too.snowflakeyogahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03775077035928176919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-17389536156884072742010-07-13T14:19:54.469-04:002010-07-13T14:19:54.469-04:00#7 (The Tale of Oat Cake Crag) will be out in earl...#7 (The Tale of Oat Cake Crag) will be out in early September, Helen. I'm planning to start writing #8 next week: The Tale of Castle Cottage. That will be the last book (the "wedding book") in the series. I love them, too--but I'm ready to move on to other things.susanalberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06593314069397524232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-73462378424735519722010-07-13T13:38:12.076-04:002010-07-13T13:38:12.076-04:00Will you write any more of the Beatrice Potter eri...Will you write any more of the Beatrice Potter eries? I love those.<br /><br />I will be reading your new series too.<br /><br />Helen Kiker<br />hdkiker@comcast.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-75467440653541063932010-07-13T13:11:57.367-04:002010-07-13T13:11:57.367-04:00Well I can see that the Darlia Dahlias are going t...Well I can see that the Darlia Dahlias are going to be added to my reading list. The characters sound like fantastic fun <br /><br />PatPat Beanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14211832263304608856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-35413047361106980262010-07-13T12:48:18.421-04:002010-07-13T12:48:18.421-04:00I want to do more with that, Janece. Hoping (when ...I want to do more with that, Janece. Hoping (when I get a little more time) to post some of that material to the Dahlias' website. There's so much to learn about that period--which was close enough to us to affect us, through our parents' experience of it.--Susansusanalberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06593314069397524232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677180.post-22811637534875764062010-07-13T12:27:07.000-04:002010-07-13T12:27:07.000-04:00I cannot wait to read this series! We have really ...I cannot wait to read this series! We have really loved the snippets of history you have shared on your Facebook page as you researched this book/series. Thank you!Janece Suarezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17333656881043811355noreply@blogger.com