Celia Davies first appeared in No Comfort for the Lost and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so let’s get to know Celia.
What is your name?
Cecilia Walford Davies, although my close acquaintances call me Celia. I was named after my mother.
How old are you?
Nearly 30. My goodness.
What is your profession?
I am a trained nurse and operate a free clinic for females out of my house.
Do you have a significant other?
No. My husband perished in Mexico. Or, at least, I believe he has.
What was his name and profession?
Patrick Davies. His profession had been pursuing whatever work he believed would bring him riches. He was not particularly successful in his endeavors.
Any children?
None, unfortunately.
Do you have any siblings?
My dear brother, Harry, died in Crimea during the war there. In 1856, to be precise. He was only 22. I volunteered as a nurse during the conflict in order to be near him. I was with Harry when he perished from the typhoid.
Do your parents live near you?
I have lost them, also, to a carriage accident when I was very young.
Who is your best friend?
Jane Hutchinson. I met her through a ladies’ charitable society, and we have been friends ever since. Although I warn her that she needs to be careful, she has lately become involved in solving crimes with me. I’ve no doubt her husband would appreciate it if she ceased assisting me.
Cats, dogs or other pets?
No. I would welcome a cat, though.
What town do you live in?
San Francisco. A most amazing city, although I do sometimes miss the lush greens of England, where I’m from.
Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
I live in a modest but comfortable house along the flanks of Telegraph Hill, a home that once belonged to my uncle. Upon his death, he left it to my cousin, who tolerates my presence (and that of my clinic) as my uncle made me her guardian until she comes of age.
What is your favorite spot in your home?
Sitting at my desk within the parlor I converted to my examination room. It holds my most used references books, my various notebooks, and the mahogany box that contains my stethoscope. The light from the room’s windows brings out the warm glow of the desk’s wood. I feel. . .how shall I put it?. . .composed and purposeful when I sit there.
Favorite meal and dessert?
Anything my housekeeper, Addie, cooks. Her mulligatawny soup is delicious.
Favorite hobby?
I have so little time for hobbies. I used to enjoy sketching when I was a girl, even though I was terrible at it.
Favorite color?
I’ve never thought about a favorite color. Blue, I suppose.
Favorite author?
I’d have to choose Mr. Dickens. In fact, I recently finished reading Great Expectations.
Favorite vacation spot?
Though money for holidays is scarce, I enjoy going to the oceanfront beaches, which are a short carriage ride from the city. Addie and my cousin and I have been discussing a visit to the geysers near Healdsburg, but we’ve made no firm plans.
Favorite sports team?
Do you mean like a ball club? I’ve not had the opportunity to watch the local base-ball team (that is what you Americans call the sport, don’t you?), but I have heard the matches can be very entertaining.
Movies or live theater?
I do not know what you mean by ‘movies’, but I do love live theater when I have the chance to attend.
Are you a morning or a night person?
Because of my clinic work, I rise quite early in the morning, usually before sunrise.
Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
I am certainly not a professional, as Detective Nicholas Greaves regularly reminds me! He is a San Francisco police detective and very good at what he does. We met when one of my Chinese patients was found dead and I had little hope her killer would be discovered. After that murder investigation, I never expected to encounter him again, but we have been involved in other cases together. Unfortunately, I must add, although I do greatly enjoy his company.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
Well, I rise early, as I mentioned, and while having breakfast I survey the day’s list of patient appointments. I prepare as I need to for them, although many of my patients arrive without any appointments, which I don’t mind. I usually take a short break for a midday meal. Next, I assess needed supplies with my cousin, who assists me in this regard. I might visit the apothecary if I am low on a particularly urgent medicine. I then see my afternoon patients, closing up the clinic around six in the evening when I take supper. Afterward, I review the day’s medical cases and make notes. I occasionally attend a charity event in the evening. Lately, however, I’ve been spending too much time becoming entangled in criminal enquiries. I concur with Mr. Greaves. I am not a professional sleuth, and I wish I could return to simply being a nurse who runs a clinic. I fear as he does, however, that my wish will not come to pass.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win one (1) print copy of No Quiet Among the Shadows, limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends March 6, 2020. Good luck everyone!
No Quiet Among the Shadows is the third book in the “Mystery of Old San Francisco” historical mystery series, released March 3, 2020.
In a new Mystery of Old San Francisco, Celia and Nick must look for answers among the dead to stop a killer among the living . . .
With the city’s Fourth of July celebrations in full swing, Celia Davies has stolen a moment away from her nursing duties to take in the festive spectacle, but is stunned when she spots the one person she thought she’d never see again—her supposedly dead husband, Patrick. Moments later, the investigator who had confirmed Patrick’s death is killed when he suspiciously falls from a high window, and Celia begins to fear that the roguish man she married has returned to haunt her life once again.
Joining forces with Detective Nick Greaves to get to the bottom of the mystery, Celia is soon drawn into a murky séance group, where the voices of the dead suggest that everyone involved in the case is engaged in some sort of fraud or deception. Determined to discover which of them might be a murderer, Celia and Nick will find themselves following a trail of clues that leads them down dark alleys into a shadowy tangle of spiritualism, altered identities, traumatic pasts, and secrets worth killing for . . .
Purchase Link
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About the author
Nancy Herriman retired from an engineering career to take up the pen. She hasn’t looked back. A multi-published author, her work has won the Daphne du Maurier award, and Library Journal has said her ‘A Mystery of Old San Francisco’ series is “. . .just the ticket for anyone who misses Dianne Day’s ‘Fremont Jones’ series as well as readers of Rhys Bowen’s ‘Molly Murphy’ historicals.” She is also the author of the Bess Ellyott Mystery series.
When not writing, Nancy enjoys singing, gabbing about writing, and eating dark chocolate. She currently lives in central Ohio.
To learn more about Nancy, visit her website at nancyherriman.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Nineteenth century San Francisco sounds like a colorful setting for a new mystery series.
It’s always been a fascinating city!
Sounds very interesting! I would love to read No Quiet Among The Shadows! Thanks for the chance!
Good luck!
My favorite genre. Historical mystery. Love Nancy Herriman books. The third in this series about old San Francisco. Nancy Herriman lives in Ohio. So do I. Southeast Ohio. Just love women sleuth books set in the 19th century. Try these books. They are great. Celia is a nurse first. Which is great.
Thanks for enjoying my books, Linda! 🙂
I have been waiting for this book since the last page of book 2.some of the places in the books are still there and I have seen them..
I’m happy to have the chance to continue Celia’s story!
I love San Franciscio! I would really enjoy reading about “Old San Francisco”. Sounds like a great book.
Good luck, Dianne!
This is a new to me series, and it sounds fascinating. Thanks for the chance to win!
I really enjoyed this interview. I love your books and always look forward to the next book. Its a fantastic series!
Thanks, Lori!!!
Good luck, Autumn!
I enjoyed Getting to Know Celia Davies better and look forward to reading this latest installment in The Mystery of Old San Francisco series – such a great setting and series ~
Thank you, Celia!
This series sounds captivating and fascinating. Wonderful feature and giveaway.
Good luck, April!
This sounds good, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Good luck, Wendy!
Love love love the cover!!
Thank you! I think it’s pretty nice, too 🙂
This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
You’re welcome, Ashley, and good luck!
Oh, my! Is Patrick dead or did he choose to disappear? I certainly want to know!
You’ll have to read the book to find out, Pat! 😉
This sounds like an interesting read.
Thank you, Libby!
Sounds like a winner.
I’m glad you think so! 🙂
Enjoyed getting to know Celia. Looking forward to reading about her adventures.
I hope you get a chance to, Jana!
Interesting idea–is the husband dead or alive? And a seance–sounds intriguing.
It was fun to write about seances, I have to admit!
New author and series for me, count me in!
Good luck!!
New series for me but sounds good.
Good luck, Alicia!
Living in Northern CA, reading about San Francisco sounds great!
It’s a great city to write about!
BEAUTIFUL cover!! best wishes with this continuing series, Nancy!
Thanks, Meg! 🙂
Ooh, I love History and Mysteries so having both together makes me a happy reader! Nancy Herriman is a new-to-me author, however, I have found my library can get access to ALL of your books except this one (so far!) This would be wonderful to win this one! (While being shipped I would borrow the first two in this series.) Thank you, Dru Ann and Nancy for a really special (to me anyway) giveaway!
**** WINNER ****
No Quiet Among the Shadows is Celia Fowler
Congratulations!