Midwinter Intrigue is out in the world! I’m so excited to hear what readers think of Malcolm and Mélanie’s holiday adventures. As you’ll have seen from the description, Midwinter Intrigue finds the Rannochs leaving their exile in Italy and traveling to Dunmykel, the Rannoch estate in the Scottish Highlands, at the news that Malcolm’s grandfather, the Duke of Strathdon, is dangerously ill.
I based Dunmykel largely on Dunrobin Castle, the family seat of the Dukes of Sutherland, though Dunrobin is somewhat further south, not too far from Arbroath, on the coast of what was Forfarshire in 1818 and is now called Angus. There I am above, many years ago, by one of Dunrobin’s staircases, on the research trip on which I first dreamed up Dunmykel.
Below is the castle in June, very different, Malcolm thinks on his arrival, from the barren December landscape.
And here are some images of the gardens that inspired Arabella Rannoch’s gardens. Malcolm thinks how he can name every plant, even though he is seeing them in winter.
Malcolm, Mélanie, and their friends and family go through these gates from the sea on a December night.
And climb these steps to the house.
Though Dunmykel was largely inspired by Dunrobin, Drum Castle in Aberdeenshire was another major inspiration.
I’ll be sharing more pictures in the coming days. Meanwhile, do let me know what you think of Midwinter Intrigue! We’ll be starting a discussion of the novella tomorrow on the Google+ Group.
Cheers,
Tracy
November 9, 2017 at 5:31 pm
Thanks for the pictures. Visuals help, and the castle is perfect.
November 9, 2017 at 6:21 pm
I agree with Diane above. The photos really help.
November 10, 2017 at 2:23 am
So glad the pictures add to the story for both of you! It was so fun having them to refer to (along with my memories) as I wrote Midwinter!
November 10, 2017 at 3:29 am
Great photos!
November 15, 2017 at 5:03 am
So glad you like them, Karin!
November 14, 2017 at 1:57 pm
I love the pictures and I loved the book. I finished it is one read and can’t wait for the Duke’s Gambit in May. I was totally surprised by the ending and didn’t see it coming.
November 15, 2017 at 5:04 am
That’s great to hear, Kim! The ending is actually a twist I’ve had in mind for a while…
November 15, 2017 at 3:18 pm
Will Gisele’s quest end with her getting information or heartbreak? I would hate to see anything bad happen to her especially with little Ian.
November 16, 2017 at 10:50 pm
That’s a bit too much of a spoiler, Kim :-). I will say Gisèle’s quest is complicated. As you said on the Google Group, heartbreak makes for good stories. But I do love my characters, so in general they’re happy in the end, even if there is heartbreak along the way.
November 16, 2017 at 9:43 pm
Loved the book. Arg! I truly dislike cliffhangers, especially when I have to wait so long for the next installment. Keep up the good story telling. Waiting on pins and needles for Duke’s Gambit.
November 16, 2017 at 10:51 pm
So glad you enjoyed it, Diane! Sorry for the cliffhanger. I don’t do them that often, but in this case Midwinter really leads into the events of The Duke’s Gambit.
November 17, 2017 at 12:05 am
No worries. I didn’t see Stars Wars and The Empire Strikes Back until they were rereleased just befor Return of the Jedi. I remember remarking to a friend how upset I would have been if I had had to wait 3 years to find out Han Solo’s fate. At least with books, the most I have to wait is a year. With you, it’s just six months.
November 17, 2017 at 12:10 am
I was so upset at the end of Empire Strikes Back! (I was 13). I remember sitting in a restaurant with my parents afterwards, and my mom saying, “They’ll get him out of the carbonite and he’ll end up with Leia. Trust me.” :-).
November 17, 2017 at 1:30 am
At the time, Harrison Ford hadn’t signed on for the next film as I understand it. So there was a possibility that Han Solo could die. I am so glad he signed.
November 17, 2017 at 1:38 am
Yikes! Fortunately I didn’t know that.
Sent from my iPhone
>
December 19, 2017 at 7:33 am
Very nice, thank you!
April 7, 2018 at 12:46 am
Midwinter Intrigue is out in the world! | Tracy Grant – Novelist
[…]Used with skill, accountability can signify a turning point in any organization, and the nook stone of an enchancment initiative.[…]
May 31, 2018 at 11:53 pm
Midwinter Intrigue is out in the world! | Tracy Grant – Novelist
[…]Early in life, it’s possible you’ll tend to ignore these hunches, however eventually you’ll be taught to belief these feelings to your financial profit.[…]