Anna Lee Huber was researching events that occurred in Scotland when she came across a particular listing that inspired her to write "A Tarnished Canvas."
What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?
While researching events that occurred in Scotland in the early 1830s for the upcoming installments in my Lady Darby Mystery series, I stumbled across this listing in 1833:
16 March – at an auction of the art collection of John Clerk, Lord Eldin (died 1832) at his home in Picardy Place, Edinburgh, the floor collapses, killing the banker Alexander Smith.
These words instantly fired my imagination and raised a dozen questions. How on earth did the floor collapse? Did only one person die? How many were injured? Who is Lord Eldin? Was it an accident, or could there have been sabotage and foul play involved?
It was after spiraling down the rabbit holes opened up by these questions that the plot of "A Tarnished Canvas" was born. Not only was this an intriguing actual historical event, but it would fit neatly into the existing arc of my series. My main protagonists, Kiera and Gage, are in Edinburgh in March 1833, and Kiera — a gifted portrait artist — is finishing the paintings for her own proposed art show. Given this, it makes complete sense that she might attend such an auction. I was even able to find a copy of the actual auction catalog to see what pieces were up for bid.
What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?
It means seeking stories and sources from a diverse spectrum of people to try to understand the broader experience of humanity and our history. It means fostering curiosity, humility, and empathy, and an eagerness to seek, to listen, and to learn. It means caring enough about all people to want to see them accurately and genuinely reflected on the page as well as in real life.
Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
For one, it’s a reflection of real life. Humanity is so incredibly and wonderfully diverse, and everyone should be able to read about someone like themselves in the pages of a book. To feel “seen.”
But it also exposes us to new ideas and cultures and gives us a broader understanding of the world and the people who populate it, who we might not encounter from day to day in our lives. When we become familiar with meeting people who are different from us, even in fiction, we develop empathy and tolerance and understanding. This is especially important for people who live in areas that are fairly homogenized.
When my children were born, I worried about this fact. Until I realized that there were other ways to introduce my children to people who are different than we happen to be. Books are important tools to help us normalize differences, to foster empathy and curiosity, and to help us see that we have far more in common.
Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.
I’m always searching for unique plots for my Lady Darby mysteries, especially ones that highlight a specific event or aspect of a historical era, and the art auction floor collapse was the perfect incident for a mystery. I also wanted to bring Kiera and Gage back to Edinburgh so that Kiera can focus on the portraits she’s been creating for her proposed art exhibit. This is not only an important step in Kiera’s personal journey within the arc of the series, but also a chance to highlight the plight of so many who have been lost to or deliberately overlooked throughout history — in their own time as well as ours. They say that history is written by the conquerors, but it’s also most often the preserve of those who are privileged enough to have the wealth, power, and education to turn their focus to posterity rather than simply the day-to-day struggle to survive.
What can fans expect from your book?
Fans can expect intrigue, fascinating history, and more of the familiar banter between Kiera and Gage, as well as the continued comradery of the team they’ve gathered around them to assist in their investigations, particularly their household staff. Bonnie Brock Kincaid, the roguish head of Edinburgh’s largest criminal gang, also makes an appearance. He happens to be a reader-favorite, and I can hint that some significant developments occur with his character. Art also returns as the focus of the plot after several adventures where it has merely lingered in the background. As usual, there will be clues to where Kiera and Gage and crew are headed next. And there is a major development for a beloved family member.
What's up next for you in the bookish world?
My next book release is "A Moment’s Shadow," Verity Kent Book 8, on Aug. 26. It’s the second book in the mini-trilogy set in 1920 Dublin, Ireland during the Irish Revolution and is filled with intrigue.
