Event Details:
In every work of historical fiction, the setting, time, and place hold significant weight, and this is particularly true in the genre of historical mysteries. Written by D.S. Lang, the author emphasizes authentic details to create an immersive atmosphere in her latest series, Doro Banyon Cozy Historical Mysteries. The stories unfold in small-town America during the late 1920s and early 1930s, a time of great social change, particularly for women who gained the right to vote in 1920.
The protagonist, Doro, is a scholarly, modern young woman who serves as a college librarian. Many mysteries revolve around the academic campus, recently exemplified in Lang's upcoming standalone whodunit, The Doomed Doctor. The book's backdrop is set during the Founder's Day celebration at Michaw College. Heading the planning committee, Doro assumes multiple roles, causing complications upon the return of her best friend Aggie's former beau, now a doctor, who is intent on reviving his relationship with Aggie.
As Aggie, happily engaged to the town constable, defends herself against her ex-boyfriend's advances, his murky past surfaces, along with reasons for his renewed interest in her: accumulated debt. An artifact, intended as a gift to the college during the festivities, goes missing, and Doro, Aggie, and their lawman beaus rally to locate it before it receives widespread attention. Their efforts to solve the mystery are ignored when Doro's little dog locates the doctor's body. The investigation then unravels a web of suspects as Doro and her team, including doggie detective Tee, work to uncover the facts and shed light on the doctor's death.
Originally, Michaw College and the town of Michaw are fictional, although a village with a similar name, Mitchaw, once existed near Sylvania, Ohio. Lang altered the spelling for literary license, fitting a college and enlarging the town far beyond its original size. The actual Mitchaw, where Lang's grandfather grew up and his father was born, has long since disappeared from maps, with subdivisions replacing most of the farmland in the area.
Creating an authentic setting for an early 20th-century small college and town has been a source of enjoyment for Lang. Her thorough research unveiled numerous details that enrich the background for the mysteries, including traditions like Founder's Day events, which often included the dedication of a statue, programs, dinners, dances, and concerts, involving the college community, including alumni and retired professors. The vintage happenings play a key role in The Doomed Doctor.
Lang also made Tee, the dog shared by Doro and her sweetheart, more prominent, addressing the passing of her own little dog, Izzy, in February. In memory of Iz, Tee dons the mantle of a canine detective in book six and will play a larger role moving forward.
Preorders for The Doomed Doctor are now available at various digital retailers, with more information about the book and author on Lang's website: dslangbooks.com. Meanwhile, you can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.
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The protagonist, Doro, lives a modern lifestyle within her home at Michaw College, which serves as both her residence and workplace. During the Founder's Day celebration, various home-and-garden related activities are planned, such as dinners and concerts, to involve the college community.
