One of the most difficult aspects of writing historical mysteries as an ex-historian, is that between the drafting, the research for the book itself, and the revision process, I run out of time to read for fun. In the years before I became a published author, I was a voracious reader—inhaling books indiscriminately: fiction and non-fiction alike. Nothing with pages was safe from my clutches, and as a result, I would find some of the most interesting nuggets of information to work into future projects. 

In fact, my heroine, Ruby Vaughn’s, entire backstory as an ambulance driver came about after I stumbled across a reference to Elsie Knocker and Mairi Chisholm in a historical monograph. These real-life women had signed up for the war effort and served as nurses and ambulance drivers before setting up their own makeshift medical station near the Front Lines during the First World War. And while their story doesn’t come into play in my books, Ruby’s wartime experiences were certainly a nod to what I learned about them and others like them. 

Ruan Kivell, Ruby’s love interest in the series, came about after I chased down a footnote. I was reading secondary sources about witchcraft and folklore in Britain and saw mention of a folktale recorded from Cornwall. It intrigued me so much that I chased down the original source and found mention of a Pellar—a specific type of magic practitioner with the power to break curses, heal the sick, and find stolen things. I knew as soon as I found that reference, that was exactly the side character I needed in The Curse of Penryth Hall (granted he didn’t stay a side character). But had I not chased down that tiny bit of information then he might never have existed at all.

Now that I am two books into Ruby Vaughn Mysteries, when I end up reading non-fiction it’s typically for the next project—it’s always very intentional. I end up digging deep into academic journal articles for historical or scientific information that I later weave into the narrative.  Or—as I recently had to do—send off a frenetic 10 p.m. text to my chemistry professor cousin along the lines of “Okay, chemistry plot question…hypothetically if I…” and proceed to ask the most unhinged scientific crime question one could imagine.  

Because I end up being so intentional in my book research, it’s really cut down on the number of random non-fiction books I pick up. I miss that sometimes, and still do occasionally steal some time to read something cool just for me—but in the last few years I’ve really gotten into podcasts and it satisfies that same urge to discover something new and I can do it when I’m already in the car running errands or making the school run. It’s almost a little bit stolen time—and honestly who doesn’t need a little extra time?

Here are three gems I listen to that are smart, interesting and teach me things I didn’t know. I hope you have fun with them and that you, like me, keep learning something new!  

Ologies with Alie Ward

This is such a fascinating one for the curious scientific questions. At first, I started listening to it with my kids, but now I find myself listening to it just for myself. Occasionally I’ll learn something and file it away to research later. Worth a listen for sure.

Betwixt the Sheets with Kate Lister

This one is probably NSFW (depending on your work!) and for adults, but it is one of my favorite historical podcasts. These are always fascinating, historically grounded conversations in bite-sized portions. I always queue these up for flights or solo car trips. It makes the time pass, and I always learn something new.  

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds and the Paranormal. 

This one probably does not surprise anyone who has read my books, but this is my evening podcast.  Ghosts, the supernatural, myths, folklore and historical crimes. It’s all here. These can occasionally get a little scary, but they are endlessly fascinating and it’s one of my favorites.