Category Archives: Longleat

5 Stars, Highly Recommended

The Historical Fiction Company has given my novel, From the Ground Up: A Robert Smythson Mystery, a 5 star, highly recommended review. I’m deeply honored and feel so validated by their praise. This is the boost I needed to keep … Continue reading

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Lacock Abbey – a building full of stories since 1229.

Our story begins with Ela, Countess of Salisbury. Ela became the 3rd Countess of Salisbury in her own right following the death of her father in 1196. She later married William Longespée, an illegitimate son of King Henry II and … Continue reading

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From the Ground Up

My debut novel is now available. Launched on September 14, 2024, it’s the first novel in a new historical mystery series. In Elizabethan England, stonemason Robert Smythson is hired by the tyrannical Sir John Thynne to rebuild the great house … Continue reading

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Stately house, part II: Longleat

Inspired by a recent cnn.com article about how to fund a British stately home or manor house in modern times, I thought I would write about how my three favorite houses have handled this.  For Wollaton, see here.  Next up: … Continue reading

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Pilgrimage

The year is 1568. Queen Elizabeth sits on the throne of England. Mary, Queen of Scots, has fled Scotland seeking refuge with her cousin Elizabeth. Instead, she finds herself imprisoned and turned over to the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury. … Continue reading

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