I’m working my way through the final proof pages of Castle Shade (out in three months—hooray!)
…which means reading every word aloud, watching for mistakes and, more important, listening for oddities. I can only manage 50 or 60 pages a day, but I am finding small errors on nearly half the pages, even though it’s been edited and copyedited by several people. And although you’d think it’s irritating, seeing how much has got past us all, in fact it’s deeply satisfying, like baking out the impurities.
I’m also seeing the characters again, in their final forms, and remembering when I first encountered—for example—Queen Marie of Romania, seen here in the castle where the book is set, and wearing the pearls that play a role in the story:
And her youngest daughter, the Princess Ileana (who has the most charming accent):
These are two of the true-life characters in Castle Shade–like last year’s Riviera Gold had Lillie Langtry:
I hope you enjoy getting to know Romania’s queen and princess. Mary Russell sure did!
Castle Shade, out June 8, 2021, here.
Order a copy signed from Bookshop Santa Cruz and Poisoned Pen, or from your local Indie bookshop, or Barnes & Noble or Amazon.