Nuggets From My Research

I have now completed five volumes of "The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes." When I promote these books, I'm often asked what are some of the more interesting tidbits I've learned through these ten years. For me, it has been the shifts in women's positions through the Victorian England.

Let me begin with a caveat: most of what I describe applies to middle-class women (and in some cases, upper-class). Those below the middle class were simply seeking to survive. Those in the middle class and above, however, were expected to meet certain expectations. An often-quoted poem from the era, "The Angel in the House" by Coventry Patmore, describes the woman's role as creating a loving house. In one stanza, he notes "Man must be pleased; but him to please/  Is woman's pleasure."

Women were expected to be educated - able to read and write in several languages - artistic, and good household managers. Their goal was to marry and raise a family. Unfortunately, a less-than-equal number of prospects existed. Many simply would never marry and had to make their own way in the world. Inheritance laws favored the firstborn son. Job prospects at the beginning of the Victorian era for a respectable woman were limited to governess and a few other similar occupations.

Modern inventions, however, intervened to increase their horizons. The bicycle increased their geographic reach. For the first time, they could venture further than ever (and often unchaperoned). The typewriter created a whole new occupation for women (in part because they could be paid less). A third innovation that primarily affected working-class women was the sewing machine. Women entered the workforce as seamstresses in garment factories or pieceworkers in their homes.

Such innovations shifted social attitudes toward women and their place in society. Women did not achieve full suffrage until 1928, but these shifts led to their review of their position from "Angel in the House" to a more active participation in the economy and society. Sherlock Holmes had more than one client who was part of this "new woman" movement and witnessed this transformation firsthand.

Don't forget! You can still pre-order a copy of my fifth volume of The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes at a reduced price ($2.99). You can find your favorite bookseller here.

If You're Still Holiday Shopping....

Come join me at the following Dallas/Fort Worth holiday markets, where you can pick up some unique gifts!

November 23 – Sachse High School (Garland)

December 7 – Hebron High School

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The Artist

by Carmen Amato

Part IV

Recap: Emilia Cruz, a female detective in the Acapulco police department, and her partner Rico Portillo have been assigned to investigate a threat left by an Acapulco gang at a local school. The narcomanta banner threatens to kill a teacher a week unless half their salaries are turned over to the gang. The two propose going undercover at the school to see if they can catch whoever is terrorizing the school. Rico will be working as the custodian as a way of watching out for any suspicious characters around the school. Emilia will be the art teacher. In her classes, she learns that students have already lost family to the narcos. Another narcomanta appeared the next day with greater demands and several outlooks were spotted in the area. Emilia made plans for an art show for Friday.

To learn more about Carmen's works, visit her Website here.

The third narcomanta was spotted with water as it hung limply from the iron gate on Friday morning. Emilia knew it had rained very late the previous night and she wondered if the Los Esgrimidores gang prowled the dark like rats looking for trash.

The elaborate logo was rendered in artistic detail and the letters were red and black. Ten children would be killed, in addition to the teachers, until the money was paid. But, like the others, the narcomanta omitted any delivery instructions.

Rico took the narcomanta into Señora Toledo’s empty office. Medina passed by, early as usual, and his eyes bugged as he saw the damp poster. For a moment Emilia feared he was going to have a stroke. She led him away from the principal’s office and into the teacher’s lounge where she made a pot of coffee while he collected himself.

At 7:30 a.m. Medina rang the bell to signal the start of classes, despite the fact that Señora Toledo had not yet shown up for work. The principal generally came in around 6:45 a.m.

At 8:30 a.m. Emilia left her class waiting impatiently for the portrait gallery viewing and checked Señora Toledo’s office. It was still empty and the lights were out. Her scuffed leather pumps were on the floor behind her desk.

Emilia ran into Medina’s office. “Did you call to see where Señora Toledo is?”

“That would be your job, wouldn’t it?” He thrust a list of emergency telephone numbers at her, his face white with tension.

Emilia called Señora Toledo’s home and cell phones. Neither was answered. She continued down the list of numbers, finally reaching the principal’s husband at his office at a building supply company. Maria Ileana had left for school at the usual time, he told Emilia in a panicky voice. His wife had told him about a school art gallery project and had been looking forward to seeing what the students had done.

Rico came into Medina’s office as Emilia assured the man that they would call as soon as they had more information. When she ended the conversation, Rico made her sit down in the spare chair by Medina’s desk. Medina clasped his hands together but they were shaking.

“Her car is two blocks away,” Rico said. “Looks like they forced her to smash up onto the curb, then broke a window to haul her out. The seat belt was cut. I’ve called it in.”

“Maria Ileana?” Medina gasped. “She’s gone?”

“It looks like it,” Rico said.

Medina abruptly started to sob, raising both hands to cover his face. He was wearing the same shirt as on Wednesday, the one with the red ink on the cuff. Or maybe it was red paint.

“You’re an artist,” Emilia said, barely able to breathe as a sudden weight crushed her chest. “You made the last two narcomantas. Using paint and poster paper from the supply cabinet. The logo and everything.”

Medina sobbed wildly. Rico’s jaw dropped as he looked from Emilia to the weeping vice principal.

“You wanted to scare her into closing the school,” Emilia went on. “But she wouldn’t.”

“I just thought—.” Medina choked on a sob. “She was supposed to close the school. Then no one would get hurt.”

“Los Esgrimidores put up a different narcomanta, didn’t they?” Emilia wanted to weep herself, pound the desk, turn back the clock to a different day and a different place. “With directions for giving them the money. You took it down.”

“Madre de Dios,” Rico swore, staring at Medina.

The vice principal’s sobs subsided into a guttural cough as he lifted reddened eyes to Rico. “I got here ahead of you on Wednesday and found it,” Medina admitted. “I’d already made the poster so I just replaced the gang banner with it.”

“And then pretended to come to work later,” Rico said in disgust.

“But when she didn’t close the school on Wednesday you had to up the stakes,” Emilia said bitterly. “Threaten the children. She could hardly ignore that.”

“I’m trying to protect these children,” Medina said. “Don’t you see that?”

“Was today the deadline?” Emilia asked. “Did you tell her?”

“She was supposed to close the school.” Medina stood up, tears still streaming down his gaunt face as he clenched his fists. “No one could pay what they are asking. But she wouldn’t close the school so I had to convince her. Frighten her. There was still time for her to change her mind.”

“Apparently not,” Rico said.

Next Month: The Final Installment

If your email begins ritaled********, email me at liese@liesesherwoodfabre.com for your $5 Amazon or Apple gift card!

Those links again:

The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 5: here

November 23 – Sachse High School (Garland)

December 7 – Hebron High School

Mystery/Thriller Book Giveaway: here

Carmen Amato's Website: here

More News Next Month!

Liese