Writing the Saint, Selling the Lies: the Poisonous Pen of Thomas of Monmouth

 

Susan Ekins, a former opera singer, has just published her first novel with us, Hoodwink!, an intriguing ‘true’ medieval murder mystery. We sat down with her for and Q&A to find out more about Susan and her book.

Can you tell us about your book, HoodWink! What inspired it?
My husband’s family are very much into get-togethers, and in 2018 all five siblings and their partners gathered in Norwich to celebrate various anniversaries and birthdays. In order to keep people’s noses out of their mobile ‘phones, I had produced a little guide book in which one of the characters mentioned was Saint William of Norwich. Except that he wasn’t a saint.  I knew a little about him, because Benjamin Britten had set a ballad, entitled Little Sir William, to music. My singing teacher was quite right when she said it was a terrible song.  Nevertheless, that had not stopped us performing it in recitals. Why was it so terrible? 

For two reasons: one, the child is killed at Easter by the school wife with a little penknife. Worse, in the original story, set around 8oo years earlier, it was all blamed on the Jewish Community, who were said to have killed him in a ritual murder. The child was then declared a martyr. The man who had really stoked the flames was a certain Thomas of Monmouth, who wrote a book on the sufferings and miracles of St William.  Later – but much too late to stop the hatred – they received orders to cancel the cult.  To this day, nobody knows who killed the little boy, but it certainly wasn’t the Jews.  But I did become angry at all the fantasy and deceit, and this gave birth to the book.  If Thomas of Monmouth could write a book, then so could I!  There is a murderer, and at the end of the book the reader, having carefully followed the clues, finds out who it is. But unlike Thomas, I do not claim my book is the truth!

How does your novel differ from other historical fiction books in the murder mysteries genre?
I would say it is probably different because it does not seek to find the real murderer – that would be impossible. But the background of the murder is used as a way of showing what dreadful damage can be done by lies and gossip. Not so different from today, with its false news, its lies, its front page screaming headlines.

From first idea to finished book, how long did this book take you to write?
It took about eight months to write Hoodwink! but that is not to say I sat at my computer every single day. The book was carefully planned with a time line although I never forced it. When I sat down to write it was almost as if I suddenly felt the urge to pay a visit to Brother Anselm, to Sheriff John, to Brother Dunstan. It was rather like dropping in on friends. I finished it the day before Hamas invaded Israel.

What are the challenges when writing a book with historical and fictional elements combined?
Firstly making sure the background was correct. I needed to double-check what I knew about the monastic hours (prayer times), the seasons of the year, medicinal cures, food, even the flowers that grew in Norwich in that time. In other words, you have to try to live there and experience it.
Research can also be difficult. Sadly there is not a lot of information on William, and most of what there is seems to have been invented by Thomas. I also researched the Popes of the time and their fates, the second Crusade and modes of travel. All dates were carefully checked, even to the dates of Easter for any particular year. Some of the characters in my book did exist and are documented although not in much detail.

Which character in your book do you relate to the most, and why?
Probably a mixture of Brothers Anselm and Dunstan. Dunstan brings out the detective in me. They both seek to right wrongs. And they have no illusions about themselves. Anselm says he sometimes does not like himself very much. If I am honest, some of my friends flavour some of the characters. Two brothers-in-law, for a start. When I record the conversations, I hear their voices, I see their faces. I sense their honesty.

Were there any historical figures or events that particularly surprised you during your research?
The Popes at the time certainly seemed to have a penchant for dying after only a short period in office or being killed in battle.

What was the most rewarding part of writing this book?
Just being allowed into people’s lives. Yes, I know I created the characters, but I did feel honoured to be allowed to visit.

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Community can be a beautiful thing, but it can be so easily be destroyed by lies and fantasy, often just for the sheer hell of it, but just as often for nefarious purposes, for the gaining of power.

What do you want your readers to feel as they finish your book?
That they, too, have been allowed into the story. That they would like to know what happened next. That they might look at their community, and value all that is good.

What are you currently working on?
The sequel to Hoodwink! It takes place 800 years after the end of Hoodwink! It has been planned and two or three draft chapters typed. And yes, it is set in Norwich.

Would you rather:
Tea or coffee? Tea
Movie or book? Books, because you can use your imagination. However, I have to say that some of the BBC dramatisations have been tremendous. Dickens, for example, and certainly Wolf Hall.
Morning person or night owl? Depends on what’s on my mind. Usually in bed by 11.
Paperback or eBook? Paperback or hardback. There’s something about the layout of the pages, the smell of the print.
Have the ability to see into the future or be able to visit the past? I’d always wanted to go and see what really happened over Richard III. My view is that a lot of it was invented once a different dynasty got its bottom on the throne.
See the movie or read the book first? Read the book first. Films often disappoint. After all, it’s only one person’s interpretation.
Have an endless summer or winter? Both have their welcome characters.

Hoodwink! is available from Amazon now.