Occupation: Assistant to Florence Nightingale
Journal of Poppy Throckmorten ~ September 1839
“Okay” I said, knowing my mother loathed new words. Okay was the newest word I had learned during my stay in London and I said it with a touch of sass. It was such a fun expression, almost as delicious as dandy.
According to my mother, any expressions stemming from the “sewers of the City” rankled her for she fancied herself to be Mrs. Throckmorten, queen bee of Milton-on-the-Marsh, custodian of morals, manners, and grand protector of the English language. Okay was not okay with her.
Placing my hand over my mouth by way of an unmeant apology, I nodded my understanding of her command to take a chaperone with me and return before dark. Mama wasn’t pleased about my traveling to Lea Hurst, the Nightingale family estate as she restricted my visits with my dear friend Florence.
My mother had determined Miss Nightingale to be a bad influence on me. “That girl is infested with radical, independent ideas. She’s gotten too big for her bonnet!” Mama would go off on a tirade, “Mark my words, she will end up a miserable spinster!”
One hour earlier we had received an urgent message from Florence requesting I meet with her. It appeared my presence, along with my friend’s, would be required at Buckingham Palace. A personal invitation from Queen Victoria did not allow for shilly-shallying. There was little Mama could do to prevent me from going.
Granny fidgeted with her shawl, a sign she was eager to assume her duties as chaperone. Papa’s mother had more bounce than the India rubber ball weapon I carried in my pocket—and she was twice as resilient.
Smitten with Lord Melbourne, Granny was keen to return to court and resume her one-sided flirtation with the Prime Minister who was young enough to be her son. I chose Granny to be chaperone as she was more mischievous that a barrel of elves and quite saucy to boot. The dear lady made a terrible guardian but a delightful companion.
“Come, Poppy! Let us be off,” Granny said. “We must not keep Miss Nightingale waiting; it is best we remain on her good side as someday she will be famous.”
Mama cringed. It rankled her to admit that Granny was probably right. Miss Nightingale would someday be a name to reckon with.
My mother’s first reaction to my request for use of the carriage was a sharp absolutely not, as she took pleasure in being obstinate for no reason at all. Unknown to my female parent, I had been carefully observing how Florence dealt with her mama, and I had honed my mother management skills.
“No matter!” I said, turning to leave the parlor. “I shall walk to the Nightingales’. It’s only three miles, and if I wear a shawl under my cloak the cold September rain won’t bother me a bit.” I turned to my grandmother. “Best put a cloak on over your shawl, Granny.”
Mother assumed an expression I was very familiar with—a cross between a hostile hen and a forbearing fox as she acquiesced to my using the carriage. It was not for our protection from the elements that Mama relented and permitted me the use of the carriage; but rather she feared the humiliation of having her daughter seen trudging in the rain accompanied by the elderly Mrs. Throckmorten.
I was pleased with how I had managed to turn things around with a few well-placed words. Florence had taught me so very much since we first met as young girls. The carriage would whisk my rascal grandmother and me to the Nightingale estate. It was just a matter of a daughter knowing the correct mother-strings to pull. We were off on another adventure.
Giveaway: Three readers selected at random will receive a copy of The Giggling Corpse. Leave a comment below for your chance to win either Kindle/Nook e-book (open to everyone) or print (U.S. residents only), winner’s choice. The giveaway will end May 22, 2018. Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Poppy in The Giggling Corpse, the first book in the “Florence Nightingale” mystery series.
A trailblazing figure in nursing, Florence Nightingale faces a series of bizarre mysteries for which she must use her nimble deductive powers while aided by her little pocket owl, Athena, and her sweet but snarky sidekick, Poppy Throckmorten.
In this first book in the series, the ladies journey to Greece on a mission for young Queen Victoria, the successful completion of which will fund the Nightingale School for Lady Nurses—the first of its kind in England.
Armed only with her quick wit and a rock-hard India rubber ball, Poppy is determined to assist Florence in securing the donation. But before they can return to England, the gift is stolen and one member of their British contingent is dead—was it murder? Can Florence and Poppy find a possible killer and recover the endowment before they must answer to the Queen? And what’s with the giggling corpse?
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Meet the author
Barbara Silkstone is the author of over forty novels and novellas.
Silkstone has traveled the world collecting adventures that range from accidentally skydiving to hanging off the side of a boat in the River Seine. Having broken enough bones to last a lifetime, she now lives in a quiet corner of Florida with her slightly overweight cat, who is Liam Neeson’s biggest fan.
Visit her at secondactcafe.com/barbara-silkstone and on her Amazon Author page.
All comments are welcomed.
What a wonderful take on Florence Nightingale! Instead of just having her as the perfect embodihood of the nursing nurturing woman, it sounds as if we will also see her playful and mischievous self. I definitely want to read this series!
Sharon,
Thank you for your kind words. It was challenging to nibble away at Florence’s serious exterior but eventually she cracked…a little! 🙂
Cheers!
Barbara
Historical mysteries are always fun to read…thanks for the opportunity.
Linda,
Yes. I agree. I love historical mysteries.
Sherlock rocks!
I hope you do get to read the series. I would love to hear what you think.
Kindest regards,
Barbara
Thank you, Dru Ann. Poppy and Florence send their love!
I don’t know about Florence, in the book, but Poppy is going to make this a fun read!
Gram, I am so tickled you like Poppy.
She has become even more outspoken in Book 2- The Killer Corset.
I hope to have it published during the first week in June.
Thank you for your kind words,
Barbara
Hey nice article
Ashish,
Thank you!
Barbara
Sounds like a fun twist on a very historical figure. Would love to read this book. Thanks for the chance to win!
Mary,
Thank you for commenting. I do chuckle as I write my comedies.
I hope you get to read the entire series.
Cheers!
Barbara
This sounds like a great beginning to a wonderful new series. What a fun title – I’d be delighted to win a print copy of The Giggling Corpse!
Karlene,
Thank you for your kind thoughts.
The titles just came to me out of the blue.
They flew in the window as if carried in by Harry Potter’s owl.
Then came the adventures! More owls were needed.
Cheers!
Barbara
Sounds fun and interesting. Love the cover too. I really enjoy historical mysteries. Would love to win a print copy. Thanks for the chance to win
Kay,
We think alike. I love historical mysteries.
Add a touch of comedy and I am in heaven.
Thank you for your kind comments.
Have a great day!
Barbara
I can’t wait to meet Florence, Poppy, & Athena!
Jana,
They can’t wait to meet you!
Poppy is such a cheeky darling, and Florence hides her humorous side (but not too successfully.)
And Athena…well being a feathery little owlet says it all.
Have a wonderful day!
Barbara
This sounds charming! I love historical and cozy mysteries and owls. Thank you for this giveaway.
Susan S,
Thank you. Another fan of historical mysteries!
I love owls, too. Last week I attended a Baby Owl Shower given by the Audubon Society.
You can see some pictures on my FB pages. They are so cute…darling little fuzz balls.
Wishing you a wonderful day,
Barbara
Love the sound of this book! I really enjoy reading historical fiction and would live to read a print copy of “The Giggling Corpse”.
Dianne,
Thank you!
I really enjoy historical mysteries. There is something to be said for rushing to the scene of a crime in a horse drawn carriage without a cellphone. It presents a real challenge!
Cheers!
Barbara
What an interesting premise, getting to know more about Florence Nightingale. Sounds like a lot of fun as well as hopefully being informative. Would love to win a copy, thanks for the opportunity.
Pat,
Thank you for commenting. I found Florence Nightingale to be an amazing lady.
It was tricky bringing her into the realm of comedy mysteries while allowing her to maintain her dignity. When she met Poppy Throckmorten they became the perfect team.
Having Granny Throckmorten tag along makes it that much more fun.
She’s a hoot!
Cheers!
Barbara
Thanks for featuring A day in the life of Poppy Throckmorten — I like her spirit. I love reading anything about Florence Nightingale and am especially intrigued to see her solving mysteries with the assistance of her pocket owl and her sidekick, Poppy. An ebook would be fine with me!
Celia,
Thank you! I do find Poppy to be quite a spirited young lady. Despite the restrictions of the Victorian era, she manages to stand up for herself. It does help that her Granny is on her side.
The three ladies have their adventures cut out for them.
Next up is The Killer Corset and then The Cheeky Coroner.
Best wishes,
Barbara
I love mysteries set historically with characters who really existed. This one sounds like one I should have.
Amy,
Thank you!
I had no idea there are so many readers who share my love for historical mysteries.
Being the author of lighthearted novels, I can’t help but add a comical spin to all my tales.
The Giggling Corpse is the beginning of a great friendship between Florence Nightingale, an international heroine and Poppy Throckmorten, a witty young lady with a taste for adventure.
Sounds like a wonderful new series to read. I would love to win a print copy.
Doward,
Thank you for the kind comment. So far Florence, Poppy, and Athena are doing just dandy.
I love how the print copy came out. It’s so pretty. 🙂
Poppy sounds like a force of nature! It’ll be interesting to see how Florence acts and reacts.
Oh Pat,
Poppy is a force of nature! There is nothing like a young Victorian girl who has been able to escape her controlling parents. I love that the only weapon she carries for selfdefense is an India rubber ball. She is quite proficient with it.
I never know what she will do next!
Florence Nightingale Series sounds like great series. Keep them coming our way.
Polly,
I love your name. Poppy was almost Polly.
Thank you for the kind words.
Cheers!
Barbara
This sounds like a delightfully different book. I hope it has more humor like in the sample. I would love to win a copy.
Gail,
It does! I love light humor and sweet sarcasm. Poppy Throckmorten specializes in both.
She inherited her wit from her Granny.
Cheers!
Barbara
I have not read any by this author. It sounds like a different book. Very interesting. I like historical mysteries with real characters.
Linda,
Thank you for commenting. This is my totally cozy mystery. I have about 40 books published on Amazon. My Mister Darcy Comedy Mystery Series is a contemporary spinoff on Pride & Prejudice. Nine books in that series but I don’t always include a murder —often kidnapping or theft of a British artifact. This is the first time I have bumped someone off. 🙂
I’m all up for free books….count me in😎📚📚📚
Sandra,
Thank you. Free is always good.
Hugs,
Barbara
This sounds like an absolute delight, as well as an intriguing mystery and opportunity to learn more about the great lady. Love historical mysteries. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
Jeanie,
Your sweet comments are so welcome. Yes, I love historical mysteries. I managed to mix in young Queen Victoria and Lord Melbourne…such fun after watching that lovely BBC production of Victoria. The young queen was very aware of Florence Nightingale and even commissioned Prince Albert to design a jeweled broach to thank her for all her work on behalf of the brave soldiers who fought for England. (They didn’t have medals for ladies in those days.)
This sounds like a very interesting and unique series and I hope to read this soon. If I were to win, I’d opt for a print book as that works well for me plus I can share with my daughter after I read it. I found the story including Florence Nightengale to be most of the lure to wanting to read this. Wishing the author much success with her new series.
Thank you.
Cynthia
Cynthia,
Thank you so very much.
Yes…this is a family friendly read.
I hope you both get to enjoy this first book in the series!
Cheers!
i saw this cover online & it really caught my eye….
thank you for the giveaway………
Cyn,
I love your little penguin. 🙂
You are most welcome for the Giveaway!
Cheers!
Barbara
**** WINNERS ****
The Giggling Corpse are Sharon Greene, Celia Fowler, Jeanie Dannheim
Congratulations!