A Rapping At The Door
A Victorian Cycling Club Suspense Story
Book III in the Tales of Chetzemoka
When the delivery of a mysterious letter to Silas Hayes' mansion is followed by the arrival of a beautiful young woman who claims she can communicate with the dead, Nurse McCoy sniffs trouble in the wind. It's obvious to her that the newcomer is after Silas' fortune, but he is helplessly in awe of the medium's eerily intimate knowledge of his past and her seemingly supernatural abilities. Meanwhile, Kitty Brown's yearning to reach out to the departed spirit of her first love is making her push away her new husband, just when she needs him the most. The whole situation is a dreadful mess, and McCoy's got to straighten it all out before Silas' nephew and his bride come back from their honeymoon. Honestly, she doesn't know how any of the fools in this world would get along without her…
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on Amazon!
For Tales of Chetzemoka merchandise —cards, posters and more— click here!
For vignettes from the story, read on!
Recipes From The Book:
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Nurse McCoy
For a brief overview of the changing attitudes towards nurses in the Victorian era and the origins of Nurse McCoy, click here.
Manuscript pages from "A Rapping At The Door".
Manuscript pages from the story.
I write out my manuscripts by hand before transcribing them. There have been some really interesting studies done into the effects of writing vs. typing in memory as well as production; for more on this see the links on this page: http://www.thisvictorianlife.com/writing-tools.html
I write out my manuscripts by hand before transcribing them. There have been some really interesting studies done into the effects of writing vs. typing in memory as well as production; for more on this see the links on this page: http://www.thisvictorianlife.com/writing-tools.html
"…he was staring at a small hair wreath which hung in a frame on his wall and nervously drumming his fingers on the arm of his chair…" --A Rapping At The Door
An article about hair art: http://the-toast.net/2014/07/25/victorian-hair-art/
Victorian-style hair art: https://www.facebook.com/victorianhairwork/
Hair jewelry by my friend Angela: https://www.facebook.com/WispAdornments/
An article about hair art: http://the-toast.net/2014/07/25/victorian-hair-art/
Victorian-style hair art: https://www.facebook.com/victorianhairwork/
Hair jewelry by my friend Angela: https://www.facebook.com/WispAdornments/
"…All the rooms in Silas' impressively modern mansion had small ventilation grates near their ceilings connecting them to the adjoining rooms. Metal louvers inside the walls could be opened or shut at will to seal off unoccupied rooms or to maximize privacy of inhabited spaces. Even when they were open, these louvers blocked the view from one room to the next and prevented any light from shining through; when they were closed they blocked air and sound as well…" --A Rapping At The Door
"…The watch itself was just a cheap Waterbury, but there was an intricate fob attached to it which seemed to have been taken from a man's watch chain… McCoy could see it was a locket with a crystal face covering two tiny, artistically curled locks of hair. One of them was blonde like Kitty's hair, but the other was the wrong color to be Dr. Brown's. McCoy guessed it was a memento of Kitty's first husband.
Esmerelda spoke in a slow, far-off voice…" --A Rapping At The Door
Esmerelda spoke in a slow, far-off voice…" --A Rapping At The Door
"…Mary was only about seventeen years old, and she'd mentioned to McCoy at some point that this was her first housekeeping job. She was wonderfully capable at her cleaning tasks —even Silas admitted this, though he was usually so impossible to please. However, the lack of a real mistress in Silas' household was making it extremely difficult for the young woman to learn the finer points of her duties…
McCoy patted Mary's arm. She'd heard it was good to pat a person's arm when they're nervous. "It's alright…" --A Rapping At The Door
McCoy patted Mary's arm. She'd heard it was good to pat a person's arm when they're nervous. "It's alright…" --A Rapping At The Door
"…Ken … reached back with one foot until he was standing on the little step at the back of his bike, then he kept pedaling with one leg…" --A Rapping at the Door
Gabriel demonstrating the described trick on an Ordinary bicycle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8oP8stFac0&feature=youtu.be
In the Tales of Chetzemoka series Ken is fond of a style of riding now called flatland —essentially ballet with bikes. I first learned of this style of cycling while I was living in Komatsu, Japan back in 2006-2007. I used to watch one of the world's top flatlanders practicing his moves in a courtyard down the street from my apartment. Here's a video of him : https://vimeo.com/80331153
and another one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JkUedwyCDM
One more —this one was filmed in the same courtyard where I actually used to watch him in person! https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Gabriel demonstrating the described trick on an Ordinary bicycle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8oP8stFac0&feature=youtu.be
In the Tales of Chetzemoka series Ken is fond of a style of riding now called flatland —essentially ballet with bikes. I first learned of this style of cycling while I was living in Komatsu, Japan back in 2006-2007. I used to watch one of the world's top flatlanders practicing his moves in a courtyard down the street from my apartment. Here's a video of him : https://vimeo.com/80331153
and another one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JkUedwyCDM
One more —this one was filmed in the same courtyard where I actually used to watch him in person! https://www.youtube.com/watch?
"…Felix…drowned his eggs in Tabasco sauce. McCoy hoped he knew what he was doing…"
--A Rapping At The Door
Pepper sauce of various brands was a popular condiment in the nineteenth-century. Tabasco sauce dates back to the 1860s. Read more about the company history here:
http://www.tabasco.com/mcilhenny-company/about/
--A Rapping At The Door
Pepper sauce of various brands was a popular condiment in the nineteenth-century. Tabasco sauce dates back to the 1860s. Read more about the company history here:
http://www.tabasco.com/mcilhenny-company/about/
Landmarks in the story:
The Town
The town of Chetzemoka is fictitious, but it owes a lot to the real city of Port Townsend in Washington state —our home. Founded in 1851, Port Townsend experienced a boom in the 1880s. A great deal of beautiful architecture still survives here and draws people to a town which prides itself on being a Victorian seaport. In the late nineteenth-century there was an actual dressmaker named Pussy Butler with a shop in downtown Port Townsend; and the schoolteacher's name was Lizzie Bray, just like in the series. Their names are all I borrowed though: the characters in the stories are fictitious. (Once in a while I'll let a historic personage make a cameo appearance, but all the detailed characters who drive the action of the stories are created entirely out of my own imagination.) I take particular enjoyment from walking around town and choosing historic homes for the residences of my various characters.
The name Chetzemoka is an homage to the chief of the Clallam tribe. Many American cities are named after local tribes or their leaders: Seattle (named after a Duwamish chief) is a great example.
The name Chetzemoka is an homage to the chief of the Clallam tribe. Many American cities are named after local tribes or their leaders: Seattle (named after a Duwamish chief) is a great example.
The Characters
Sometimes I start out with a photo to use as inspiration for certain characters. Other times, Gabriel helps me search through thousands of antique photographs to find just the right image to use as inspiration. It's fairly magical when, after examining thousands of different pictures, a face pops out who looks exactly like I'd pictured one of my fictional friends. In those cases there is an "Aha!" moment when, after inspecting countless pictures Gabriel and I will turn to each other and suddenly exclaim, "Oh, THAT'S ________ !"
The Cycles
(Image credits for the slideshow of cycles are at the bottom of this page
—scroll down for links of the sources.)
More images of tandems and sociables
—scroll down for links of the sources.)
More images of tandems and sociables
Anatomy of an Ordinary bicycle
Praise for A Rapping At The Door on Amazon:
Another Great Offering
Chris C.
Another great offering from Ms. Chrisman. I have read all three books in this series and they are all well-written. I like the way they are loosely tied together with the a shared cast of characters, town, and themes. I really appreciate that the author treats writing as an art in style, presentation, and story line. It seems there are very few indie authors these days who do that. I more often than not find that indie authors seem to think they are writing an extended text message. If I want informality, I'll read a text message, not a book. Ms. Chrisman, on the other hand, takes her art seriously and strives to offer a good traditional style that is both pleasant and in-sync with the time frame of her stories. Also, the story carries itself without shock content, profanity, and filth substituting for a good story, which as with the author's other offerings, is much appreciated. Nice work.
***
Best so far
Lacy S
I loved this story. It might be my favorite of the three I've read so far. Nurse McCoy is a great POV character and the suspense truly had me in edge. If I were a producer, I would be all over these books for a mini-series. Such fun reads!
***
Chrisman has a writing style that I quite enjoy as she brought to life each scene in the ...
USCG Mom
What a delightful read! A Rapping at the Door is the charming 3rd book in the Victorian Cycling Club series. Ms. Chrisman has a writing style that I quite enjoy as she brought to life each scene in the book and flushed out the personalities of each of the characters more and more.
I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery of what was occurring as the plot unfolded and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. A fun, exciting read. I look forward to Ms. Chrisman's next book!!
***
Beautifully written with excellent historical research
Rachel A.
Beautifully written with excellent historical research, I loved reading more about the indomitable Nurse McCoy! Chrisman's writing is engaging, her characters refreshingly considerate and empathetic, and her story a sheer delight. If you're looking for a quick read to make you smile, kindle your imagination, and reflect on the Pacific Northwest past, this is the perfect book for you. Can't wait for the next tale of Chetzemoka!
***
I love it
Verena Dundar
You can read this book so easily and still full of enjoyment
Sarah has a wonderful style to write her victorian novels
I have most of her books i highly recommend them
Also it would be a wonderful gift to give
***
Wonderful addition to a charming series!
Melanie Grossi
Again Ms. Chrismas has written a fun, wonderful to read, sweet, period romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to more. The supernatural elements brought in added a little spice to this one.
***
Looking forward to more books in the series.
I really enjoy watching how this series develops, and learning more about characters in earlier books as they take on side roles in later books. There are separate stories but an integrated fictional world, and it is a world I enjoy spending time in!
Another Great Offering
Chris C.
Another great offering from Ms. Chrisman. I have read all three books in this series and they are all well-written. I like the way they are loosely tied together with the a shared cast of characters, town, and themes. I really appreciate that the author treats writing as an art in style, presentation, and story line. It seems there are very few indie authors these days who do that. I more often than not find that indie authors seem to think they are writing an extended text message. If I want informality, I'll read a text message, not a book. Ms. Chrisman, on the other hand, takes her art seriously and strives to offer a good traditional style that is both pleasant and in-sync with the time frame of her stories. Also, the story carries itself without shock content, profanity, and filth substituting for a good story, which as with the author's other offerings, is much appreciated. Nice work.
***
Best so far
Lacy S
I loved this story. It might be my favorite of the three I've read so far. Nurse McCoy is a great POV character and the suspense truly had me in edge. If I were a producer, I would be all over these books for a mini-series. Such fun reads!
***
Chrisman has a writing style that I quite enjoy as she brought to life each scene in the ...
USCG Mom
What a delightful read! A Rapping at the Door is the charming 3rd book in the Victorian Cycling Club series. Ms. Chrisman has a writing style that I quite enjoy as she brought to life each scene in the book and flushed out the personalities of each of the characters more and more.
I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery of what was occurring as the plot unfolded and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. A fun, exciting read. I look forward to Ms. Chrisman's next book!!
***
Beautifully written with excellent historical research
Rachel A.
Beautifully written with excellent historical research, I loved reading more about the indomitable Nurse McCoy! Chrisman's writing is engaging, her characters refreshingly considerate and empathetic, and her story a sheer delight. If you're looking for a quick read to make you smile, kindle your imagination, and reflect on the Pacific Northwest past, this is the perfect book for you. Can't wait for the next tale of Chetzemoka!
***
I love it
Verena Dundar
You can read this book so easily and still full of enjoyment
Sarah has a wonderful style to write her victorian novels
I have most of her books i highly recommend them
Also it would be a wonderful gift to give
***
Wonderful addition to a charming series!
Melanie Grossi
Again Ms. Chrismas has written a fun, wonderful to read, sweet, period romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to more. The supernatural elements brought in added a little spice to this one.
***
Looking forward to more books in the series.
I really enjoy watching how this series develops, and learning more about characters in earlier books as they take on side roles in later books. There are separate stories but an integrated fictional world, and it is a world I enjoy spending time in!
Buy the book on Amazon!
A Rapping At The Door
A Victorian Cycling Club Suspense Story
Book III in the Tales of Chetzemoka
Don't forget to look for fabulous Tales of Chetzemoka merchandise —book bags, mugs, and more, on Zazzle!
Other books in the
Tales of Chetzemoka series:
First Wheel in Town (Book I)
Buy the book Learn more
Love Will Find A Wheel (Book II)
Buy the book Learn more
Delivery Delayed (Book IV)
Buy the book Learn more
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Image credits:
Bicycles braced against each other:
"The Wheelman" magazine, 1882
Cycle slideshow:
Columbia bicycle, 1881: http://www.vintagecolumbiabikes.com/id94.html
Coventry bicycle: http://cmc-anwb.coventry-machinists-co.british-ordinary-bicycles.ordinary-bicycles.antique-bicycles.net [Note the bicycle in the photograph is basic black. Jacob's bike in the stories is fully nickel-plated —an optional upgrade. For Jacob's bike, picture the same silhouette but gleaming silver.]
Cheylesmore tricycle: The Tricyclists Indispensable Annual and Handbook, p. 206.
Cheylesmore Sociable tricycle: The Tricyclist's Indispensable Annual and Handbook, p. 155
Hair Locket:
Seen on eBay. Seller: Rabbitfootantiques: http://stores.ebay.com/rabbitfootantiques
Hair Wreath:
Flavel House museum
Historic images:
Tabasco sauce advertisement:
www.tabasco.com/mcilhenny-company/faqs-archives/ads/
Artifact location credits:
Newspaper office and newspaper office furniture: Port Gamble Historic Museum, WA
Waterbury Watch Advertisement
The Normal Teacher Magazine, 1880
Bicycles braced against each other:
"The Wheelman" magazine, 1882
Cycle slideshow:
Columbia bicycle, 1881: http://www.vintagecolumbiabikes.com/id94.html
Coventry bicycle: http://cmc-anwb.coventry-machinists-co.british-ordinary-bicycles.ordinary-bicycles.antique-bicycles.net [Note the bicycle in the photograph is basic black. Jacob's bike in the stories is fully nickel-plated —an optional upgrade. For Jacob's bike, picture the same silhouette but gleaming silver.]
Cheylesmore tricycle: The Tricyclists Indispensable Annual and Handbook, p. 206.
Cheylesmore Sociable tricycle: The Tricyclist's Indispensable Annual and Handbook, p. 155
Hair Locket:
Seen on eBay. Seller: Rabbitfootantiques: http://stores.ebay.com/rabbitfootantiques
Hair Wreath:
Flavel House museum
Historic images:
Tabasco sauce advertisement:
www.tabasco.com/mcilhenny-company/faqs-archives/ads/
Artifact location credits:
Newspaper office and newspaper office furniture: Port Gamble Historic Museum, WA
Waterbury Watch Advertisement
The Normal Teacher Magazine, 1880
Victorian Cycles
Hand-built 1890's-style bicycles
Interested in a real time machine? Commission one of our 1890s-style custom bicycles! Custom, hand-made steel frames with wooden fenders and chainguards, leather saddles and cork grips. Whether you are interested in a roadster or a racer, we can build you the period bicycle of your dreams.
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