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The Drop
In a crowded coffeehouse, Mason’s carefully orchestrated plan hinges on precision, but one unexpected moment threatens to derail everything. With tension mounting, the line between control and chaos begins to blur.
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Countess Báthory Reprise
I hope you’ve read my most recent post about Countess Erzsébet Báthory de Ecsed, the so-called “Blood Countess”. I was overwhelmed with the support the countess received from my readers. Many were outraged that I even called her the Blood Countess, a moniker that has been ascribed to her for centuries. I must agree the arguments vindicating her from the mythic atrocities are strong, and I did not intend to perpetuate falsehoods about her. That said, we must always keep a balanced, if not open perspective, and have a willingness to have one’s opinion changed, because otherwise, we stop listening and are doomed to an echo chamber that endlessly repeats our own thoughts.
Hungary’s
Blood Countess
Countess Erzsébet Báthory de Ecsed. Her name may sound familiar from Death’s Visage, one of my first stories featuring Máté Nádasdy, which explores the mystery surrounding the theft of a supposed death mask from the notorious “Blood Countess.” While it may seem morose today, making an imprint of a departed person’s face was customary at different times. Many famous examples exist of this practice, although there is no evidence such a mask was ever cast from Erzsébet Báthory’s corpse. While the mask of Death’s Visage is fictional, Erzsébet Báthory is not—and her real story is one you need to hear.
The Kvas Conspiracy
When Máté and Róbert make an innocent bet to see who can first observe a crime, it only takes moments for Máté to observe a suspicious exchange at the coffeehouse across the avenue. But when chaos erupts, Máté can't help but involve himself and a reluctant Róbert in bringing justice to the moment, even though the mastermind might well go free.
Ludovika
Named for Maria Ludovika (1787-1816), Empress consort of Austria, the Ludovika Academy served as the seat of military education in Hungary for well over 150 years. Hear more about the academy and how it is featured in my coming novel.
Listen to my first podcast interview!
Last year, I took part in Savannah Gilbo's Notes to Novel course, and thanks to her great program, I now have a finished manuscript in my hands! So Savannah invited me and four other students to be guests on her podcast, where we discussed the lessons we've learned from the course.
If you’re interested in hearing more, here are some quick links:
If you like the episode, leave a rating and review on the Apple Podcasts link so that more people can find the show and hear my interview!