Quantum, I think every writers process is different. As with everything about writing, there is no one hard and fast rule when it comes to location research. For me, I have to be there--but it doesnt have to be for long. Sometimes I can gather the details Ill need for a place in a matter of hours. Other times, Ill need to return to the same location at different times, in different seasons. Interestingly, the one time I did take the giant step of moving house to the location I was writing about--in Wales, where I actually lived in the house where I was setting my story--was the only time my editor handed me back my manuscript and complained he couldnt see the landscape. I was too close to my subject--I had lost the outsiders eye. I had to regain it, and notice what it was about that part of Wales that made it special. Easier to do when youre a stranger, not a resident. Of course, when Im dealing with historical landscapes that have long since disappeared, I have to rely on travel diaries or paintings, but for the most part, nothing replaces the value of actually being there, walking the path of my characters. Sent from my iPhone

Sue, you are most welcome. But I do hope you get a chance to come back in person. Scotland is the sort of place that lets you be--you can travel at your own pace, and there are even slower paced coach tours. In the meantime, though, Ill do my best to help you travel vicariously :-) Sent from my iPhone

Thanks for sharing these, Shannon. Now I think I should have called my post Off the Path because thats such a nice way of describing it! Sent from my iPhone

What a lovely discovery, Alison. The most unexpected treasures can be found tucked away down little side streets. Sent from my iPhone

Lucky you, Beth Anne, to have friends in such a pretty place. And yes, this new novel, The Vanished Days, is a sort-of-prequel to The Winter Sea... Sent from my iPhone

Hi Grace! Fortunately, there are no standing stones near where Im going...although I will be going somewhere rather special this coming weekend, and will try not to get lost in the woods there. Sent from my iPhone

I am nothing if not stubborn, Mary Jo, and when I realized the computer wasnt going to let me connect to the Internet, I was determined not to let that stop me :-) Yes, Leith was indeed lovely. And Lily and I (and some other stray characters) did have a wonderful day there. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone

Oooh, that's a cool twist on the theme, Janice. I like that. Fictional eateries and watering holes where we'd like to hang out. You like dangerous ones, I see :-)

Liz, I'd be afraid to eat or drink anything with Flavia de Luce and Miss Marple both at the table--a sure sign someone was going to wind up getting murdered, and with my luck, it would probably be me :-)

I probably have a spare one I could loan you :-) And I know...I never do well when I'm asked this question. You and I can sit to either side of Keith Stewart, then, at our fictional dinner party...

I was thinking that, too, Jenny--little bit of bitterness there, lurking underneath the wit. I'd love to know who actually wrote them.

Great ideas indeed, Michelle. And great fun.

I've been keeping my eyes open, Faith. The British Newspaper Archive doesn't have the Morning Post and Advertiser online that far back yet, though they're getting close (they're into the early 1800s), and I'm on their site quite regularly doing research, so every now and then I check to see if they've added any earlier issues, so I can check up on my matrimonial advertisers :-) I came across these ads by chance in a copy of the paper that was up for sale at auction.

Sue, I'm sure the reality behind the ads, even if they were (as I suspect) a farce, was more entertaining than any story I could come up with about them :-) Truth is so often much better than fiction.

A series is always good, Annette. And I like your idea of a long and gossipy search for the people behind the advertisements...

Oooo, Mary, I think you may be on to something, here. So many ways this plot could twist... :-)

Lillian, YOU ought to write those stories :-) You have a splendid imagination!