About Sarah F. Noel

Why I Write Historical Mysteries

I write the kind of historical mysteries I like to read on a lazy Sunday: clever investigations, strong female characters, fascinating historical settings, and enough humour to keep even murder from becoming entirely grim.

I am particularly interested in the contradictions of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These were periods of immense wealth, technological progress and social change, but also deep inequality, poor labour protections and widespread poverty. My characters cannot avoid those realities simply because they happen to move through drawing rooms, country houses, fashionable hotels or elegant shops.

At the same time, the books are meant to be fun. There are formidable dowagers, adorable orphans, complicated friendships, eccentric aristocrats and more than a few charming rogues. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.