An atmospheric historical mystery where every character has their own agenda, and their own truth.
In the fashionable mansions on Chestnut Hill, a simple green baize door separates the masters’ world from the servants’. That door is thrown wide when an elderly housekeeper is found brutally murdered on the first day of the new century. Marie Chevalier, the housekeeper’s poor but ambitious granddaughter, and James Lett, the mansion owner’s kind but indolent son, suspect the killer is connected to one of their families—but which one?
From drawing rooms to alleyways, their separate investigations lead them through the sometimes lavish, sometimes brutal, landscape of turn-of-the-century New England. When long-buried secrets begin to unravel the fragile threads that hold both households together, Marie and James must find a way to bridge the gulf between them—if only to prove that the murderer belongs not to their own world, but to that strange and foreign land on the other side of the green baize door.
Inspired by real-life events, The Green Baize Door is a richly layered historical mystery that explores themes of class identity, family loyalty, and the sometimes blurry line between virtue and vice.
Writing Interview Questions.
Why did you choose to write your book in this era?
The end of the Victorian era is a time of contradiction: surface elegance and restraint with revolution boiling just under the surface. I specialized in late 18th, early 19th century history as an undergrad, so it’s a period I was already familiar with. Something I hoped would make my life easier from a research perspective.
Did you find researching this era particularly difficult? What was the hardest thing to find out, and did you come across anything particularly surprising?
I think it is one of the easiest historical periods to research. It wasn’t all that long ago, so there are plenty of records available. One of the things I most enjoyed reviewing were talk show interviews from the 1960s/70s of then-elderly folks who gave first-hand accounts of events they lived through, but that feel very distant to modern audiences. My only real surprise was how similar language then was to what we use now. There aren’t nearly as many differences as I’d imagined, especially when you focus on ordinary/working class folks. I was hoping to add some really colorful dialogue (and I did manage to slip some in), but that “flavor” had far more to do with regional and cultural differences than with the period.
Can you share something about the book that isn’t covered in the blurb?
The murdered housekeeper is a “colored” Creole woman, which, according to the law of the time, makes her granddaughter, Marie “colored”. Marie, however, finds it easier to “pass” as white than to announce her heritage and subject herself to the segregation laws which had just been reaffirmed by the US Supreme Court. “Passing” is a practical choice for Marie, but not an easy — or comfortable — one.
If you had to describe your protagonist(s), in three words, what would those three words be and why?
Proud, beautiful, and ambitious. Marie is a lot of other things as well: clever, hot-tempered, loyal, etc. But the traits I mentioned first are the ones that most impact on the trajectory of her life. In a world where she’s expected to hang her head, her innate sense of pride guarantees a steady stream of slights and injuries, enough to keep her from settling. She sees her beauty as a tool, something that can be leveraged in her quest for a better life, which, being deeply ambitious, is always her end goal.
What was the most challenging part about writing your book?
Knowing when to stop.
Was there anything that you edited out of this book that would have drastically affected the story, should it be left in?
In my first draft, Marie’s younger sister was much older (18), and she and the detective investigating the case had a bit of a flirtation.
What are you currently working on?
Book two in the series!
What would you tell an aspiring author who had some doubts about their writing abilities?
That it’s normal to worry, but to try not to get too hung up on what the experts (professional and otherwise) say. Some of the books that I’ve enjoyed most were written by authors whose writing abilities were consistently dragged through the mud.
Write the story you want to write, and let the rest sort itself.
Personal Interview Questions.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
When I’m not writing I’m either working or with my kids. I dream of one day having hobbies again, but that day still seems a long way off.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was very young (3), I wanted to be a ballerina. By the time I was 5, I had set my sights on being a secretary — secretaries being the only professional women I regularly saw on TV. By 10, I’d decided I wanted to be the boss who had a secretary.
What’s for dinner tonight? What would you rather be eating?
Spaghetti. I’m an extremely picky eater, and can be relied upon to make exactly what I want to eat.
What would be a perfect day?
A morning of productive writing/working, an afternoon at the beach with my family, followed by a good dinner out (so I don’t have to worry about cleaning). Close the night out with a story and a snuggle with my kids, and it doesn’t get better than that.
What is the best part of your day?
Bedtime story time. My kids are still quite young, so I’m trying to get in as many baby/toddler snuggles as I can.
Either or!
Tea or coffee: Coffee (decaf espresso)
Hot or cold: Cold
Movie or book: Book
Morning person or Night owl: Morning
City or country: Depends on my mood.
Social Media or book: Book (!!!)
Paperback or ebook: I prefer Paperback — it’s a whole experience, but if I’m being completely honest, I mostly buy ebooks or audiobooks these days.
Eleanor Birney writes historical mysteries about class, moral ambiguity, and people who aren’t satisfied with life on their side of the green baize door.
She received a BA in History from UC Berkeley, and works as a legal research attorney, a day job that feeds her love of precision, research, and puzzles.
Growing up in foster care gave her a lifelong fascination with the way society steers people into assigned places—and how some of those people refuse to stay in them.
She lives in Northern California with her family. The Green Baize Door is her debut novel.
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Thanks so much for hosting Eleanor Birney today, with a fabulous chat about her compelling new mystery, The Green Baize Door.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Cathie xx
The Coffee Pot Book Club