The Colour of Rubies: A Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Mystery

Murder lurks at the heart of the royal court in the rabbit warren of the Palace of Westminster. The year is 1480. Treason is afoot amongst the squalid grandeur and opulent filth of this medieval world of contrasts. Even the Office of the King's Secretary hides a dangerous secret.

Meeting with lords and lackeys, clerks, courtiers and the mighty King Edward himself, can Seb Foxley decipher the encoded messages and name the spy?

Will Seb be able to prevent the murder of the most important heir in England?

All will be revealed as we join Seb Foxley and his abrasive brother Jude in the latest intriguing adventure amid the sordid shadows of fifteenth-century London.

1) How do you manage to keep the excitement going in your murder mystery series?

I hope I am keeping the excitement going now we're on to the 10th novel in the Seb Foxley series of murder mystery books. Fortunately, the late 15th century was a vibrant period in English history with a lot happening so it's easy to find interesting challenges for my hero, his friends and family and quite often these can be based on true events. I'll let you into a secret - the characters often invent the ideas, saying and doing things that surprise me and the story can go in an unexpected direction which, if it excites me, I hope with excite the readers.

2) Were there any specific challenges when writing The Colour of Rubies?

There were some challenges in this historical novel because I had to use some Italian phrases. These present two problems. Firstly, I can't speak medieval Italian which varied from one city state to another in those times, so I had to use modern Italian and I apologise if I've made any errors. Secondly, I also have to allow for readers who don't know any Italian, modern or otherwise, so it's just as well my English characters need a translation as well.

3) Do you prefer writing or researching the history behind your novels?

The writing and researching of any books for adults are two distinct parts of an author's work. I love researching not just the period in which the novel is set but centuries on either side. For example, in 'The Colour of Cold Blood', a prison escape method was based on a true event that took place in the 17th century. The events in 'The Colour of Betrayal' closely followed a murder that was made to look like death by suicide in the 13th century. 'Rubies' evolved from my research into the life and mysteries of the playwright-cum-spy Christopher Marlowe in the 1590s. Once a good chunk of research is done, then I can lose myself in building the fictional narrative which is great fun and there's always the chance - we're ever hopeful - of coming up with a "best seller".

4) Have any characters in your book stolen your heart, or is Sebastian Foxley still your favourite?

Oh, Seb Foxley still holds my heart but he's been criticised for being a bit too perfect, though I've noticed he's maturing into a bolder character recently, more assertive since his wife Emily's death. I've always liked Jude, though he's an utter pain in the neck and young Jack was fun in the earlier books, both adding their own dimension to life in medieval London. Rose is very likeable and good for Seb so these two are evolving together. Life is moving on as Seb becomes a respectable citizen with greater responsibilities but still with a nose for any murders, mysteries and historical intrigues. I hope readers enjoy my Seb Foxley series as much as I enjoy writing them.