Picture postcards, Miss Marple and the Vogue archive

An interview with author Rosie Hunt

As well as sharing my stories of research, I love to find out how other historical novelists approach the past. Many thanks to Rosie Hunt, author of the Lady Felicity Quick Mysteries, for answering my questions.

Anna: Tell us a bit about your Lady Felicity books, and where the original idea for the series came from.

Rosie: The Lady Felicity Quick Mystery series follows a young British aristocrat with a journalism background who uses her sharp investigative skills to solve crimes. The books I write are ‘cozy’ mysteries that offer readers an escape into the richly atmospheric world of Devon, England, during the early 1920s. Despite the occasional grim event — off-page, of course! — there’s the comfort of knowing Felicity will always uncover the truth.

The idea for the series came from my love of Miss Marple and the enduring allure of the era of Golden Age crime fiction. Discovering contemporary authors continuing this tradition inspired me to create my own mystery stories set in this period. Felicity, however, is a much younger sleuth than Miss Marple, and though I’m not entirely sure how she came to me, she’s been a joy to write. Knowing that her adventures resonate with readers is so extremely satisfying.

Anna: Do you have a research background? If not, how did you approach researching your first historical mystery?

Rosie: While I’ve worked as a journalist and spent plenty of time in libraries during my studies, I’m not a trained historian. My approach to research is practical and focused on serving the story. The sources I use are mainly online, but I have a growing collection of physical books on relevant topics as well. As I write, I explore questions about the era — like how people communicated, what they ate, or how they dressed — to ensure authenticity in the experience I'm creating for readers.

As a bit of a word nerd, I also pay close attention to language, avoiding modern terms that could break the reader’s immersion in the 1920s atmosphere. Etymological resources are invaluable for this. Ultimately, my goal is to build an authentic world that transports readers while keeping the storytelling at the heart of the process.

Anna: What is your favourite resource for research?

Rosie: Old picture postcards and archival film reels from the time period are my favourites. They provide snapshots of daily life and transport me to the era. I can better imagine the sights, smells, and sounds that would have been experienced in a tea garden, a bustling railway station, or a seaside promenade in 1922. World-building is essential to my stories, and these visual and sensory details help me bring the settings alive.

Anna: Can you share some favourite 'finds' while doing your research?

Rosie: A display about First World War battlefield 'tourism' in the years following the conflict deeply moved me during a visit to the Thiepval Memorial in Northern France.

Families who couldn’t afford to visit war sites often relied on presentations from neighbours who had been — sometimes many years after the conflict’s end — to keep the memory of lost loved ones alive. This insight deepened my portrayal of characters like Alex, Felicity's partner in crime-solving, whose own wartime experiences add to the emotional depth and realism of the Lady Felicity Quick series.

Another treasure is the online Vogue archive, which offers a glimpse into 1920s fashion through magazines published at the time. Browsing the digitised pages from the monthly editions helps inspire Felicity’s outfits and adds a touch of elegance and authenticity that readers love.

Anna: Finally, what's your best tip for authors approaching research?

Rosie: Tailor your research to your strengths. For example, if readers love your character dialogue, focus on capturing the speech patterns and vocabulary of your chosen era for the page. If you’re just starting as a writer, think about what fascinates you in the historical fiction you read and use those elements as a foundation for your research. Research is a marvellous tool for enriching your storytelling, making it more immersive and engaging for readers.

You can visit Rosie and find out more about the Lady Felicity mysteries at www.rosiehuntauthor.com or on her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RosieHuntAuthor.