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I wanted to set a book near Hunstanton. I have memories of Hunstanton that have stuck around and it seemed as good as place as any to write book. The choice of location reminds me of a debate I once saw on Facebook amongst authors – do you use real locations in your books?

Hunstanton is on the western side of Norfolk and is remarkable because as the town faces west, it can witness the sun setting over the sea. Most of Eastern England doesn’t have this view. I wanted to draw this feature into my story. But how far should you go with using real places?  I mention the lighthouse and library, which I admit, I’ve never visited until recently. I only remember the long stretch of beach and the sea from my childhood visits. I actually based the library on another one I visit regularly in East Anglia.

I needed a house for Miriam, a Victorian mansion with flintstone walls, which are a feature of old houses in the area. I made up a name for it and the local village; Little Knottisham does sound similar to other villages in the area. If you were to give me a map, I’d know precisely where my imaginary house existed, but it isn’t there.

The world around Heachley Hall is real. I mention Docking, a small village east of Hunstanton that once had a workhouse and I used real newspaper articles about it to help with a sub-plot. In 1881, it had 86 residents, quite remarkable and depressing for a village. The workhouse still stands and has been converted in individual houses.

Miriam visits Kings Lynn and Norwich, but only briefly, so I didn’t need to bother with the details and as for her home city of Chelmsford, a fleeting excursion in one chapter hardly required any research.

So what was the general advice given to authors about locations? Don’t use your own street, which seems pretty obvious. Don’t pick somewhere real if you’re not prepared to do a little research. Readers will spot serious mistakes. Try to stay genuine about the look and feel of a place. How are houses built? Is the scenery pasture or arable? Does the city have skyscrapers? Are there forests and hills? What kind of weather is common?

There is snow in my wintery scenes. It can snow in East Anglia, but rarely heavily. This year Norfolk received a blanket of whiteness thanks to the Beast from the East. Now at least my little piece of fiction can be justified as fact.

When Miriam discovers she’s the sole heir to her great-aunt’s fortune, she can’t believe her luck. However, to earn her inheritance, she must live one year in a decaying mansion.

Miriam is desperate to discover the truth behind Felicity’s peculiar terms.

Has something tragic happened at Heachley Hall?

Opening Chapter –  Exploring Heachley Hall

Pre-order The Women of Heachley Hall – release date 4 May – special, limited time offer 99p.

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Goodreads:

The story is beautifully constructed and precious, and it is very satisfying. If you are one of those readers who hate cliff-hangers and always feel that there is some explanation missing and you’d like to know a bit more, you’ll be over the moon when you read this novel.

This beautifully written mystery weaves a spell around the house and the people connected to it. It is easy to empathise with Miriam but there is a surprising conclusion which you are unlikely to predict. Reminding me of the books of Kate Morton, this is a story for lovers of ghost stories, history and romance.

I utterly loved this book from start to finish. A haunting romance full of intrigue. I was enthralled and had to keep reading, I needed to know what happens next, the end of every chapter left me wanting more.