Read Lawrence Goldstone's exclusive guest post on the joys of blending historical fact with thrilling fiction, then make sure you're signed in and comment below for a chance to win his latest historical thriller, Deadly Cure!
For a historian, writing fiction—especially a thriller—is a combination of challenge and opportunity. The challenge, of course, comes from the need to hew as closely to the real history as possible. Tempting though it may be, I can’t allow myself to cheat, alter actual events, or have characters behave as they did not or would not in real life. I study the dress, food, geography, and even speech patterns of whatever period I’m writing about so that the fictional world I create has a feel of nonfiction.
The opportunity is that I get to play with some important historical milestones and fill in gaps, all the while creating what I hope is a crackerjack yarn. Although I must take care to only include things a character would have done, there is the fun of being able to include anything a character could have done.
All it takes to get started is an event or series of events that spark the process. For example, in my first historical thriller, Anatomy of Deception, it was the discovery that famed physician William Osler had penned a diary he called The Inner History of the Johns Hopkins Hospital and left instructions that it not be opened until fifty years after his death. Osler was one of the hospital’s founders, as was the brilliant surgeon William Stewart Halsted. There was a revelation in that journal—which was finally opened in 1957—about Dr. Halsted that was just too juicy to pass up.
My next thriller, The Astronomer, was about a plot by the Inquisition to murder Copernicus and thereby suppress his theory of heliocentric astronomy. That one got started when I learned that Copernicus never saw the final typeset of his great work, De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres). It was presented to him on his deathbed when he was only semi-conscious and almost totally blind and contained a preface inserted by the publisher that he would never have approved had he been aware of its presence.
For Deadly Cure, the idea sprung when, while researching something entirely different, I stumbled across an ad that the Bayer Company ran in a number of journals at the turn of the 20th century.
I knew about Bayer aspirin, of course. Just about every kid in America took Bayer for pain and fever when I was growing up. But Bayer heroin? That bore some significant further investigation. What I discovered was a fascinating tale, the details of which I won’t reveal here, but it was precisely the sort of thing that lent itself to the kind of thriller I love to write. I’ll only say that for its initial marketing campaign, the Bayer Company aimed its new wonder drug at children, mostly as a cough suppressant but also for a variety of other ailments. Here’s another ad, which also ran widely.
Marketing to children led me to Abraham Jacobi—probably the most important pediatrician in American history and the man for whom Jacobi Medical Center is named—as well as Justin Herold, who was one of the pioneers of forensic science. Herold was an especially interesting character. At 24, he was appointed coroner’s physician in New York City—the youngest man ever to hold the post—and 15 years later published A Manual of Legal Medicine, which is remarkably detailed and set a standard for forensics that has held ever since. He was forced from his position by political hacks and went into private practice, eventually offering expert forensic testimony in more than 2,000 criminal trials.
Another of the cool opportunities in writing historical thrillers is the chance to broaden the tableau, to blend events surrounding the central plot into the narrative, again taking care to maintain both accuracy and authenticity of personalities. For Deadly Cure, I was able to use the war in the Philippines, the monumental arch erected at 23rd Street and Broadway in New York to honor Admiral George Dewey—which subsequently fell apart only years later—the city’s new subway system, the anarchist movement (with its “scandalous” sexual mores), and the incorporation of the city of Brooklyn into what became Greater New York on January 1, 1898. I was even able to include a scene with Theodore Roosevelt, which I was pleased to discover was organic to the story.
When it all works—and of course, I hope Deadly Cure does—the reader gets to turn the pages with excitement while taking a joy ride through the past. I can only hope anyone who picks up Deadly Cure will have as much fun reading it as I had writing it.
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Deadly Cure Comment Sweepstakes: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of 50 United States, D.C., and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years or older as of the date of entry. To enter, complete the “Post a Comment” entry https://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2017/10/historys-mysteries-the-joy-of-writing-historical-thrillers-comment-sweepstakes at beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) October 30, 2017. Sweepstakes ends 12:59 p.m. ET November 7, 2017. Void outside the United States and Canada and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules here. Sponsor: Macmillan, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010.
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Lawrence Goldstone is the author or co-author of more than a dozen books and has written for the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, New Republic, Chicago Tribune, and Miami Herald. He and his wife, author Nancy Goldstone, live in Sagaponack, New York.
thanks for the chance
I look forward to the book. Thanks for the opportunity.
Neat, count me in
interesting
Oh, dear, who would think of taking heroin when there’s always morphine?
Heroin in Bayer, cocaine in Coca-Cola, whiskey for whatever else ails you; our ancestors must have been walking around in a daze most of the time.
Sounds really great. Would love to win the book
Would love to win this! TBR pile for sure!
This sounds fascinating!!
Sounds interesting.
Historicals are my favorite!
I want to win!
Most of what I know, I’ve learned by reading mysteries. Looking forward to this one.
Sounds great. Would love to win.
This would keep me from doing housework. Hope I win as I will use any excuse.
I assign interesting historical novels to my students for extra credit! These might just make the list!
I love to read all kinds of historical fiction.
Combines two of my favorite things, History and Reading.
Would love to win this book.
[b]“Deadly Cure” sounds like my kind of Book![/b]
Sounds great!
Looks good!
sounds interesting, thanks
This sounds fascinating. As a medical librarian, I will find it most interesting. I would love to win a copy.
This looks like a great read. Here’s hoping I win a copy.
All I can say is WOW..
I would love to read this book—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
This book sounds facinating. So many drugs that are illegal today were once used as everyday cures. That is bizarre.
Thanks for the opportunity to win! Would love to have it.
Sounds like a great read, snow is coming and I love to sit by the fire with a great book.
Happy Halloween
Lynette Thompson
Historical accuracy would be a bonus, allowing me to consider the book educational!
History and mystery, what more can you ask for?
I would love to read the book.
This definitely sounds like a book I would like to read.
This looks like an excellent novel to read. Adding it to my wish-to-read list. Winning a copy would be even more delightful. 😉
I liked Anatomy of Deception, so I look forward to this one also
Absolutely fascinating. Tough position to be in when you’re at the mercy of an industry where the lines between expertise, experience, good intentions, progress, greed, and quackery could not be easily delineated.
This sounds really good.
Yes, please enter me in this sweepstakes.
Thanks!
The premise and background research sound absolutely intriguing! I love reading books that combine fictional elements with actual history. The topic of early healthcare ‘remedies’ is truly fascinating, especially given the fact that so many were actually more harmful and addicting than originally thought. It’s kind of scary in a way, sometimes more so than what the imagination can come up with.
Did someone say historical mystery? I’m in! Thank you.
I love historical mysteries.
Mr. Goldstone, I would love for you to take on a historical novel of John Snow.
I am going to be looking at my bottle of Bayer Aspirin a little differently.
sounds great thanks for the chance
Love historical mysteries but have to admit I was not familiar with Lawrence Goldstone until now. I have just ordered his first book Anatomy of a Deception from BN based on reading this article. Hope to have a chance to win his latest
Love historical mysteries but have to admit I was not familiar with Lawrence Goldstone until now. I have just ordered his first book Anatomy of a Deception from BN based on reading this article. Hope to have a chance to win his latest
Sounds so good!!!!
Fascinating and captivating. Love to read this novel.
I love historicals and a thriller, even better. Thanks.
Extremely interesting feature and a wonderful novel. Many thanks.
Sounds absolutely fascinating!
Thanks for the oportunity to win your book. I look forward to reading it.
Your books all look like good reads, I want to read them. Thank you
Heroin for kids? I wonder what the consequences of that were? Masses of child junkies? Hard to imagine, but hey, nothing surprisesme anymore.
As a new writer of HF, I look forward to reading this book.
The mention of Bayer sold me! I’m fascinated by ancient remedies and love historical mysteries.
Reading is my medicine! Yes!
Sounds like the perfect book to me…can’t wait.
This sounds like a good one
Love history and mystery 2 of my favorite subjects mixed together. Both are extemely interesting and can provide insight as to past events
I remember taking the tiny Bayer baby aspirin as a young child. I look forward to winning (hint, hint) and reading this book!!
I remember taking the tiny Bayer baby aspirin as a young child. I look forward to winning (hint, hint) and reading this book!!
Very interesting premise.
Looks like something I would enjoy .
I love historical fiction. I am looking forward to reading this book.
I take Bayer low-dose, daily…..hmmmm……I need to read more about this!
Sounds great. Thanks for the contest.
Sounds great. Thanks for the contest.
Thanks for the chance. Looks great!
Sounds good.
thanks for the chance.
love to win it
love to win it
Thank you for the opportunity. I hope I win, can’t wait to read this!!
Sounds like something to put at the head of my TBR list.
WHat an interesting concept for a book, would love to read this!
Historical fiction and mysteries…..my favorite genres. Can’t wait to read it.
Thank you for the guest post! I’m happy to hear that authors of historical fiction enjoy researching as much as I enjoy all the new things I learn from their hard work.
Bayer Heroin! Now I know what my friend meant when he said he was trying “that thing with the needles.”
I have read lots of thrillers but none with this particular subject. The book sounds very interesting. I will put it on my TBR list.
Sounds like great fun!
thanks for the chance to win!! sounds amazing!
Happy Halloween and here’s a toast to you to keep writing!
Hoping I win and if I don’t that someone who loves reading as much as I do does!
The most entertaining way to learn about historical events is through page-turning historical fiction. I would love to win and read this Goldstone novel.
This looks like the kind of historical thriller I love; I’m looking forwrad to reading it.
Thanks for the opportunity – sounds like an interesting read!
Historical fiction is one of my favorites and I love the depth of research you go into when writing. Look forward to this next book.
I love reading thrillers, mysteries and historical fiction so your books would fulfill this niche!
What a (sad) world it would be without mystery stories! When you can add real history to the mix, it just makes it that much better!
Thanks for a chance to learn about these drugs. Bayer heroin, who knew?
Count me in, please!
looking forward to reading this book.
It seems that the most horrifying notions are the ideas that those things that should be good for you might be menacing. The murderous mother, the clown killer, and the poison apple would be examples. The heroin aspirin fits right in there. Sounds fascinating.
This story sounds addictive
Heroin cough suppressant for children from the aspirin people. Autres temps, autres moeurs.
I love it when you can’t open information until 50 years later–
Love historical mysteries!
Historical novels are a great way to bring the past alive. A wonderful blend of fact and fiction.
Thanks for the chance to win an interesting sounding book.
I am in awe of mystery writers who have such talent. Kudos to all of you. I look forward to this new book. Thanks for the sweeps.
Love the way you get your ideas for these thrillers….great giveaway!
Fingers crossed for this one!
Sounds like a great book
I love the interesting historical facts that somehow aren’t commonly known. This sound like a really great read!
Can hardly wait to read this book. It sounds like children were guinea pigs for these “cures”. I love reading the history behind companies and products we take for granted. Thank you for the chance to win.
I find the stories that take a small and perhaps inconsequential event from history and weave a tale around it both fascinating and fun.
I was not aware of Mr. Goldstone’s books. I will certainly be checking him out now. I have read of all of Erik Larson’s historical fiction books and loved them so I am very interested in another author following the same line.
All that research is absolutely appreciated by your readers.
That was my biggest problem when writing papers – I loved doing the research and didn’t want to stop. Loved discovering something I didn’t know OR a fact that just made everything click. Thank you for your writing and your work.
That was my biggest problem when writing papers – I loved doing the research and didn’t want to stop. Loved discovering something I didn’t know OR a fact that just made everything click. Thank you for your writing and your work.
Sounds like an interesting story. Thanks for the chance.
Intriguing
[b]I am a sucker for fiction books with historical facts![/b]
All of your books sound interesting. Historical fiction is always a great read for me. I would love to win “Deadly Cure!”
sounds like a bbok I would really like
I love my mystery with a side of history. Please enter me in this sweep.
I was interested to read about Abraham Jacobi and Justin Herold. Reading historical fiction provides an opportunity to learn as well as to be entertained.
This sounds so facinating! Historical mysteries are my absolute favorite! I have added this to my TBR list!
Historical fiction/thrillers are one of my favorite genres! I have to admit that I have not read Anatomy of Deception, but I will now. I think Deadly Cure would be a great addition to our historical fiction table!
Julie from King City Books Mt. Vernon Il
So many good reasons to get this book!
I want to read it!
Having read titles by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone before, I look forward to another thriller!
This sounds like a wonderful premise for a thriller. Can’t wait for it!
Remarkable! You have taken historical facts, mystery, medical background interests & woven them all together like a fine tapestry. I am now so very intrigued and am looking forward to reading this. Thank you
I love seeing those old ads.
I love seeing those old ads.
I love these kind of books!
I’ll take 3 Bayer, please. JK. I would love to read this!!
book sounds good-thanks
I’ve read his books in the past and look forward to this one! Thank you!!
Excellent looking book, thanks for the chance to win a copy
A long list of books to add to my TBR stack! Thanks for the chance to win Deadly Cure.
I wonder what and how muchin this book is fact and what is just fiction.
I’m going to see if my library has the first books by Lawrence Goldstone.
Then I’d like to read “Deadly Cure”.
I like believable stories. I think it really makes a difference when the author does his homework.
Very interesting; definitely on my TBR list. I would really like to win this book – thanks for the opportunity!
A new author to read!
Sounds like a winner.
looks interesting
Sounds fascinating! Thanks for the giveaway
I’m intrigued!
Love historical fiction!
Sounds so good. Thank you for the chance to win.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you
Love your approach to writing historical fiction. Would like to read “Deadly Cure”. Thanks for the opportunity.
I love history. Looking forward to this.
[b]Winning this book would make me feel sooooooooo good!![/b]
I have always loved reading history so this book really appeals to me.
I love the joy of a good thriller as you can’t wait to turn the next page!
I love the joy of a good thriller as you can’t wait to turn the next page!