Here Walk the Dead
The year is 1910, and Arabella Holmes has met her lifelong dream of becoming a purveyor of abnormal science for the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Philadelphia. But academics and forensics were never a problem for Bella. People. Navigating people and the nuances of relationships is far more vexing than any anatomical puzzle or mystery…
“…the author succeeded to get my attention with the main plot but also with the romantic aspects well embedded in the general flow of the story. . . . The pace is an allegro, but there are also scenes in adante and presto tempos, depending on their nature and purpose. As the whole, they support the increasing tension that culminates in a life and death situation. Casualties? Yes. The possibility of a new chapter? Yes, and I cannot wait to read it!”
Did you ever have a rough patch in writing, where nothing in the story seemed to fit or make sense?
Writing, is rough. Period. I’ve never met a writer who didn’t have periods of extreme productivity, and then periods of desolation. For me, the words are never the issue, its whatever extraneously may be happening in my life that whisks me away from my inner vortex.
“It goes deeper into the relationship between Arabella and Henry and the book is also generally a bit darker with lunatic asylums, social darwnism and shady medical practices. . . . I might add that it’s also a bit refreshing seeing characters with Aspergers written in a “proper” way and not being a comic stereotype.”
“I enjoyed the banter/romance between Bella and Henry, and can see readers really enjoying this! . . . I’m so happy that I read this series!”
For Fans of the BONESEEKER SERIES, Why the wait?
BONESEEKER was released several years prior, with accolades from NY TIMES BEST SELLER Grace Burrowes, “Meticulously researched and terrific fun!” and was that years winner of the Young Adult Golden Leaf Award. Then…..several years past….
“Frostbite can occur at zero degrees within five minutes for the first stage, which results in pain and tingling and most likely a full recovery. The second degree, the body pulls blood away from the extremities, resulting in blisters that may harden and blacken.”
I then recall the moulages he crafted of stage-four frostbite. My heartbeat goes wild. “Find! Newton! Find!”
He yips.
Newton bounds out of sight, and we all stumble forward, awkwardly plowing through the gathering mounds of snow.
“HERE WALK THE DEAD is a thrilling ride as Bella and Henry try to fit into society’s expectations while also trying to figure out why girls keep disappearing and where they go. Recommended to readers who enjoy gritty Gothic mysteries with sizzling romance.”
A Visual Tour of Here Walk the Dead
In case you’re new to the series…here’s where we are.
Arabella Holmes—yes, daughter of that Holmes—wants to return to her job as a purveyor of abnormal science. She has temporarily been demoted to a botanist, until her love interest, Henry Watson—yes, that Watson—can help her get her less-than-professional outbursts in check. Henry is tired of his new role as doctor, tired of the lack of adventure, and tired of keeping Bella’s escapades out of the papers. Five girls are missing. Gone from locked rooms in their own houses. Arabella and Henry are called upon to help solve the kidnappings, but all they unearth is more danger…
“a spellbinding adventure, with friends and fiends both old and new, embroiled in one over-arcing sinister plot. . . . Filled with thrills and chills and let’s not forget about romance, fans of Sherlock Holmes will love the world this talented author has expanded upon. I adored the development of these characters and the way the plot echoed the struggles our heroes were going through. Excellently paced and rife with wit and charm, Boneseeker is a historical suspense series you will gladly sink your teeth into.”
Prologue
The Lost
The reek of chloroform.
I thrash, instinctively wrenching away from the stench of the cloying rag, but too late. There is a simultaneous prick and burn as a needle jabs the crook of my arm.
I’ve had too many inhalations. I battle my eyes open.
Two men rummage through my personal effects.
The carriage—gone. In an instant, I am slung over one of their backs, dangling limp as a child’s rag- doll.
Oliver
I leave The Bell in Hand and stand stock-still in the middle of the road. The moon is white and full as a pearl, suspended in the black, sooty sky. I cannot go home and face my dreary one-room solitary confinement at the boarding house. Staring at the ceiling as the uninvited images of Arabella enter my weary mind.
That ruddy Englishman. He has ruined every plan I made. All I needed was time, first to befriend her. Then…
Sleep will not come, regardless, but…
“Boneseeker: Here Walk the Dead by Brynn Chapman is a compelling novel. Very different from the first one but still very Sherlock Holmesy. His daughter though is at it again and getting things done her way. . . . I am still in love with Holmes and Watson the next generation. . . . I recommend this book to fans of Sherlock. It is a good read.”
What was your favorite character to write and why?
Henry and Bella have been living in my head for a very long time now…so, just like my children, I love them for different reasons.
I love Henry for his heart, his compassion, and his fearlessness under fire. And his uncompromising love for Bella, no matter what the rest of the world thinks.
I love Bella for her complexity. Her innocence, and her pain, and her courage to continue to try to connect with Henry and others she loves, despite it being nearly unnatural for her.
“This is an eerie, compelling tale. . . .The characters are diverse, intriguing and the reader will feel involved in their lives. . . . it was a very captivating tale.”
“Book two of the Booneseeker is even better than the first book! . . . The added characters are [just] as diverse and interesting as those in the previous novel. . . . The tale ends solidly, leaving the reader eager for more.”
“This is one suspense filled and fun read. I had to have it read in one sitting. . . . I hope there will be another book in The Boneseeker Chronicles series. I enjoy catching up with Arabella and Henry and seeing what adventure they will get into next. They are quite the pair and I love how they interact with one another. . . . I recommend Here Walk the Dead, as well as, the beginning to this series, Boneseeker. “
WHERE ARE WE?
Setting. It matters.
As I write historicals, I do my utmost to visit if not the actual place, then a facsimile of it. There is not a substitute for experiencing the sights, smells and sounds of wherever a book takes place.
That goes for readers and well as writers. For HERE WALK THE DEAD, I toured an asylum in the state of West Virginia, twice…
“Here Walk the Dead is a wonderful follow-up to Boneseeker. . . . you are going to love Here Walk the Dead. . . . I love this story because it is super suspenseful, and much of the plot is historically accurate. . . . I highly recommend Here Walk the Dead and Boneseeker!”
Here Walk the Dead
January 14th 2019 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Arabella Holmes—yes, daughter of that Holmes—wants to return to her job as a purveyor of abnormal science. She has temporarily been demoted to a botanist, until her love interest, Henry Watson—yes, that Watson—can help her get her less-than-professional outbursts in check.
Henry is tired of his new role as doctor, tired of the lack of adventure, and tired of keeping Bella’s escapades out of the papers.
Five girls are missing. Gone from locked rooms in their own houses. Arabella and Henry are called upon to help solve the kidnappings, but all they unearth is more danger.
Bella ventures undercover into a lunatic asylum, where a mute woman assaults her and scrawls the chilling words—Here the dead wake. Plus, a vial of Bella’s research poison has gone missing. Bella and Henry must find it, and the missing girls, before charges can be brought against her.
Praise for HERE WALK THE DEAD:
“Dark twists and turns abound in this fast-paced and riveting gothic thriller. I consumed it in one sitting!” ~USA TODAY BESTSELLER, Lea Nolan
Other Books in the Series
Boneseeker
January 10th 2018 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Aspiring scientist Arabella Holmes doesn’t fit the role of a 1900s lady. Her father, Sherlock, landed her a position at the Mütter Museum to pursue her dream of becoming a purveyor of abnormal science, or what her father calls a “Boneseeker.”
Henry Watson’s two-fold mission at the Mütter Museum is to join their team of forensic anthropologists in unearthing unusual antiquities and to watch over Arabella. If only he could get her to speak to him, instead of hurling knives in his general direction. Assigned to a most secret expedition to investigate a mysterious skeletal hand discovered in upstate New York, Arabella and Henry are soon caught in a scientific debate, and the search for the truth may have deadly consequences for those involved.
Are the bones from a Neanderthal? Or are they living proof of fallen angels known as Nephilim?
Watson and Holmes must put aside their differences, trust their instincts, and rely on one another to survive to uncover the truth.
*This is a new version of a previously published edition
Praise for BONESEEKER:
Winner of the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest
“Creative, meticulously researched, and terrific fun!” ~Grace Burrowes, NY Times Best Selling Author
“The characters, the setting, the descriptions and the mysteries and relationships all work together seamlessly to create a truly wonderful story that I completely adored.” ~Best Books Ever Blog
“The settings are intriguing and the way they are described make you feel as if you are immersed in the story. I could feel the gloom and damp. That is rare in so many books! Boneseeker is a book I highly recommend, and I give it 5 stars!” ~Christy’s Cozy Corners Blog
Boneseeker
BONESEEKER, is book one of the four book series, chronicling the adventures and love story of Arabella Holmes and Henry Watson. . .
All my books plop my characters into real, strange anomalies and events that happened once upon a time. Bella appeared in my imagination fully formed, and Henry wasn’t long to follow her. As is his way…
I hope you enjoy reading it, and spending time in their company as much as I do.
— Brynn
5. What do you want readers to take away from reading Boneseeker?
I am a character writer. If you remember my people, find yourself thinking about them, wondering what will happen to them—well that’s the goal. As a copious reader myself, that was always my litmus test of the writer’s worth.
“Boneseeker by Brynn Chapman is compelling and intriguing. The familiarity of Holmes and Watson makes way for the next generation, and Bella & Henry hold their own quite nicely. While some aspects of the plot could have been a little tighter, overall this is an enjoyable read that is perfect for a chilly winter’s night.”
(Get it—instead of a Study in Scarlet)
Bella has been with me so long now, I honestly can’t recall when the idea formulated. I believe it was while watching Robert Downey Jr.’s interpretation of Sherlock Holmes. There are a number of scenes in the movie which were “Ah-ha” moments for me…About Holmes’s brilliance, and his inability to play well with others.
I lecture about sensory processing—which in case you have never heard of it, here is a definition…
“For a person who doesn’t typically read mystery books I really enjoyed Brynn Chapman’s Boneseeker. I remember when I was little I read the entire Nancy Drew series but this book is much more complex than those tween novels. . .
Filled with violence, suspense and questions, this books makes a great read. . .
I recommend this novel for mystery and historical fiction lovers aged 16 and up as you not only get to sort through clues but you also get a taste of history in the mix.”
“Human footprints, preserved in rock, measuring thirty-three inches, with six toes.”
“I must see your notes.”
My eyes open wide, my hand shooting to my hip. “I don’t have notes.”
“Of course you don’t.” He sighs. “Would you write some for me?”
I walk back to the bed and sit. “I suppose.”
“We lesser mortals appreciate notes.
For the record, I have, to date, read 90 percent of the Sherlock Holmes canon—and his predecessors, Wilkie Collins et al.
The new Sherlock Holmes characters in the recent films, however, ignited a fire in my brain. The following is from my author’s notes in the Book, BONESEEKER…
“This! This is what I mean, Earnest. She”—he jabs an accusing finger at Arabella—“she is impulsive and arrogant and unnatural. She should not be considered for such an important expedition. A woman is much better suited for curation.”
Father steps forward, staring Stygian full-on despite the fact he’s a head taller. “Sir. You’ve forgotten innovative and cunning and possesses her father’s talent for ciphering and detection. Is this expedition not about bones?”
“Of course.”
“I dare venture no one on this eastern seaboard could match Miss Holmes’s knowledge of bones.”
This is a hashtag I often use when discussing BONESEEKER. I am an ardent student of science.
I have dissected cadavers, dug through troughs of arms and legs at University, to ensure your specimen was not missing any muscles so as to miss them on the practical exam. I have witnessed a craniotomy (post mortem), plastic surgeries, among others.
I have toured asylums, and have an ongoing obsession with historical medicine, when did what occur, and how?
I hear a bawdy laugh, and I wrench my eyes away from her earnest gaze, scanning the dance hall. I scan over the myriad of colors and gowns and faces and finally, I see her. My heartbeat bombards my ribcage. My hands are sweating. While they are in Priscilla’s hands.
This is not normal. Not for me, anyway. I am dumbstruck. Arabella is so lovely I can scarcely breathe.
She stands, hesitating at the top of the stairs, undoubtedly searching the crowd for familiar faces.
“It is interesting to read with the children of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. Like their fathers, Arabella Holmes and Henry Watson are quite the team. The two sure do find themselves in quite a suspense filled adventure. There are some action-packed scenes that kept me on the edge of my seat, making me want to continue to turn the pages. . .
I can not wait to see what happens next.”
“Personally I really enjoyed reading the book, especially the portrayal of how it is to have anxiety and Asperger’s and it was a bit refreshing that the love story between Arabella and Henry was downplayed a bit (no offence to YA authors, but sometimes love stories take up too much space in a book).”
“Bonseeker is so layered and complex but very accessible to old and new fans of historical fiction. An absolute must-read for fans of strong corset-wearing heroines and the requisite danger of the best Holmes mystery.”
“For the love of all that’s holy, Henry. That’s almost like being married to Holmes.” He gives a little shudder.
“I daresay you’re one to talk. For years, you chose a life with Holmes over matrimony, so that argument is full of holes. Do as I say, not as I do?”
Father’s face softens, and he lifts a placating hand. “I love Arabella too, you know that. But, be reasonable. She doesn’t fit into polite society.”
“Neither does Holmes and he’s almost legendary now.”
“She is unruly, headstrong, and will never, ever listen.”
“I know. She fascinates me.”
Maria: What type of research did you have to do for this novel?
I do a copious amount of research for every novel. For BONESEEKER, I expanded my library and study of Forensic Anthropology books ( I do have an anthropology minor), and also made a study of historical non-fiction resources on murders and relevant science beliefs, and societies of the time period. The science of phrenology, for instance, was very much alive and en vogue in 1910.
“This book contains elements that I love… suspense, Nephilim, mystery, and a little romance. I also love that the characters are children of two beloved literary characters, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. . .
If you love Sherlock Holmes, mystery, and a little of the paranormal. You should definitely give this book a try.”
Boneseeker
January 10th 2018 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Aspiring scientist Arabella Holmes doesn’t fit the role of a 1900s lady. Her father, Sherlock, landed her a position at the Mütter Museum to pursue her dream of becoming a purveyor of abnormal science, or what her father calls a “Boneseeker.”
Henry Watson’s two-fold mission at the Mütter Museum is to join their team of forensic anthropologists in unearthing unusual antiquities and to watch over Arabella. If only he could get her to speak to him, instead of hurling knives in his general direction. Assigned to a most secret expedition to investigate a mysterious skeletal hand discovered in upstate New York, Arabella and Henry are soon caught in a scientific debate, and the search for the truth may have deadly consequences for those involved.
Are the bones from a Neanderthal? Or are they living proof of fallen angels known as Nephilim?
Watson and Holmes must put aside their differences, trust their instincts, and rely on one another to survive to uncover the truth.
*This is a new version of a previously published edition
Praise for BONESEEKER:
Winner of the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest
“Creative, meticulously researched, and terrific fun!” ~Grace Burrowes, NY Times Best Selling Author
“The characters, the setting, the descriptions and the mysteries and relationships all work together seamlessly to create a truly wonderful story that I completely adored.” ~Best Books Ever Blog
“The settings are intriguing and the way they are described make you feel as if you are immersed in the story. I could feel the gloom and damp. That is rare in so many books! Boneseeker is a book I highly recommend, and I give it 5 stars!” ~Christy’s Cozy Corners Blog
Through Prism Book Tours.
The Violet Hourebook, 209 Pages
Secrets.
Allegra Teagarden, a musical prodigy, flees her father’s dominance and abuse while touring in pre-civil war Charleston, South Carolina. Plagued by depression over her mother’s suicide during their previous visit, she escapes in an effort to piece together the details behind her mother’s mysterious demise.
Secrets.
Down to her final coin, Allegra happens on Charleston’s Fancy, the first southern amusement park, which is searching for musicians for its orchestra. At first, the park seems her salvation; but she quickly realizes she has traded the dominance of her father, for the even more terrifying madness of the owner, Silas.
And more secrets.
Allegra meets the dashing Brighton LeFroy, Fancy’s engineer and pyrotechnics master. His shabby clothing cannot conceal the brilliant mind beneath. The musician’s whisper he is a witch, is obsessed with storms, and is rumored…to fly. And despite the danger, despite her own misgivings, Allegra is inexplicable drawn to him.
She ventures to his reclusive home on Fire Isle during a thunderstorm and together they seek to unravel an ancient mystery.
I stare intently, reveling in the rare opportunity to drink in his features.
His dark curly hair is in need of a cutting and his thin lips turn down as he absently bites the side of his nail, lost to himself. He is not a classic beauty—but the singularity of his face demand’s attention.
Not all women would swoon for him. But something about him draws me…makes him utterly irresistible.
The warmth on my chest again. Almost hot this time. I struggle not to look down my dress to examine what I imagined to be an inevitable rash, but all I see is the Magnolia pattern—the patch on my dress, lovingly sewn by my mother’s hand.
I banish the thought. I shall not think on her now.
Brighton clears his throat, driving away my mother’s ghost and I struggle for words. When he regards me, my tongue seems to shrivel in my mouth.
It is his eyes. They…speak. Sometimes whisper, sometimes shout.
They now squint, as whatever vexing scenario playing on his mind continues to dominate his demeanor. He doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak.
Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Brynn Chapman is the daughter of two teachers. Her writing reflects her passions: science, history and love—not necessarily in that order. In real life, the geek gene runs strong in her family, as does the Asperger’s syndrome. Her writing reflects her experience as a pediatric therapist and her interactions with society’s downtrodden. In fiction, she’s a strong believer in underdogs and happily-ever-afters. She also writes non-fiction and lectures on the subjects of autism and sensory integration and is a medical contributor to online journal The Age of Autism.
She also writes under the pseudonym R.R. Smythe .
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