On my blog today I am delighted once more to be hosting NANCY JARDINE, sharing news of the recent publication of her new book, Tailored Truths. This is the second novel in Nancy’s Silver Sampler series, set in Victorian Scotland.
You can find out more about Tailored Truths below but, first, read an interesting post from Nancy about how her research into her personal ancestry became the inspiration for the Silver Sampler series. AND you can read an excerpt from the book…
Little facts that become big inspiration!
By Nancy Jardine
Tailored Truths is the second part of Margaret Law’s life story, the idea for the whole series conceived after I began personal ancestry research. However, the Silver Sampler Series is fiction and not a biographical record. Scenarios that happened to many women and men, during the Victorian era, are being woven into a story of my own imagination enhanced by bountiful research of the era.
Researching Victorian ancestors can prove surprising! However gruesome it may seem, finding the cause of death can be fascinating, sometimes evoking strong emotions in the reader of the certificate. However, deciphering some hand-written death certificates for the 1860s can be problematic if the letters are unclear. This can lead to conjecture about the actual cause of death. One death was recorded as ‘ligature of the larynx’ though the word ligature is hard to read. What could that mean?
A few possibilities were quite terrible. A ligature is generally associated with a rope. The larynx is the throat. If someone was found guilty of some foul deed and led to the gallows, then the tightening of the rope around the neck would lead to strangulation when the body dropped through the trap-door, and was suspended in mid-air. However, that scenario is generally termed ‘Death by Hanging’ and not ligature of the larynx.
Possibilities arose that if a person had a noose tied around their neck and then was dragged along the ground to the point that strangulation occurred, then the cause of death might possibly be ‘ligature of the larynx’. Perhaps as a result of retribution, a person may have had the hands and feet tied together at the back, causing the body to curve awkwardly, with a rope around the neck tied to some fixed point. Left prostrate on the ground, any attempt to free oneself from that situation might incur strangulation – ‘ligature of the larynx’ might then be noted as the cause of death. Though, are either of these last two scenarios an act of murder? That’s another whole different ball game!
In Scottish cities and towns, during the 1850s, there was an established police force. Though unlike the forces of today, those in the mid-Victorian era were less fussy about causes of death and preservation of evidence. If foul play was suspected, as in obvious stab wounds for example, or the perpetrator witnessed doing the deed and still in the vicinity, then the evidence would be sent to the Procurator Fiscal for the geographical area, and that official would determine the next steps. The job of the local police force was mainly to ensure public order and to keep local streets free of disorder. That often meant removing a body quickly, and if the deceased was a known local then the body was most often delivered to its former home. The collection of evidence as is done now was not an established process.
I decided that whatever ‘ligature of the larynx’ actually meant with regard to my ancestor, it was something I could use in my series, since it was an unusual phrase. My interpretation would be whatever fitted my story. To say more about my use of that cause of death would be a spoiler, since it’s in Tailored Truths, so… I’ll refrain!
Census records can give credence to where an ancestor was living (or temporarily residing at). A census record also details who else they were with in the household, and sometimes professions or jobs are listed. Though more than one source is usually need to be sure of a particular person’s whereabouts. And… sometimes a surprising location surfaces!
Victorian females might have taken a live-in job as a servant, necessitating a move to a different town or city, or even a different country. I was intrigued about what might have made one of my female ancestors move from Glasgow to Liverpool, since she (apparently) appears in a West Derby (Liverpool) location on a census record. In Tailored Truths, I’ve invented scenarios for the main character, Margaret Law, to spend time working outside Scotland.
I did some thorough research about jobs in Dundee during the 1850s, since Margaret works there on two different occasions in Tailored Truths. The linen and jute mills had huge labour forces and were still expanding into the 1860s. The harbour areas of Dundee had also been expanding for decades to accommodate the current shipping trade. Raw goods like flax and whale products were unloaded and the hulls quickly filled to ship initially linen, and then jute products out to the colonies, and to other far-flung destinations. The building of the new docks was an interesting study as was finding details about the purely decorative Royal Arch that was built in advance of a visit of Queen Victoria to Dundee. The financial success of some Dundee mills meant sizeable donations to help build public amenities, like the Public Baths which were built at the Earl Grey dock beyond the Royal Arch. On balance, it seemed more likely that my character Margaret would find work in a mill rather than on the dockside – though plenty of women did work there!
In Tailored Truths, both Margaret and her best friend Jessie have a ‘detached’ taste of what it was like for the nouveaux riche in Dundee. Many successful mill owners in Dundee amassed incredible riches in a relatively short time and by the 1860s, wealthy businessmen were entering the fringes of the highest society. This was done more easily than in previous decades. Their lifestyles became more lavish, to some degree copying the opulence of the landed rich. In turn, some domestic servants who worked for the Dundee mill owners were exposed to how the richest lived. Margaret has a taste of this when working as a lady’s maid.
The Victorian Era was a time of huge advances in machinery and technological improvement. By the time Tailored Truths opens in the mid-1850s, railways were well established around Scotland. What was still ongoing, though, was development to larger steam-powered ships. After some research, I decided to include a thread about ship development in the Silver Sampler Series. Margaret doesn’t experience steam ships herself but learns of them via her friend Jessie’s husband.
Margaret is, however, involved in using new technology since sewing machines were arriving on the scene for their earliest industrial use. How involved is she with a new-fangled sewing machine? Again, it would be too much of a spoiler to mention here but I hope my readers enjoy how I’ve used new technologies of the Victorian Era in Tailored Truths.
One piece of research leads to another and since I love to research, it’s no trial at all. A tiny snippet woven into the fabric of the books in the Silver Sampler Series can make all the difference to the authenticity, and to reader enjoyment of the characters in their setting.
© Nancy Jardine
What is Tailored Truths about?
An engrossing Victorian Scotland Saga (Silver Sampler Series Book 2)
Is self-supporting success enough for Margaret Law or will her future also include an adoring husband and children? She might secretly yearn for that though how can she avoid a repeat of relationship deceptions that disenchanted her so much during her teenage years?
Employment as a lady’s maid, and then as a private tutor in Liverpool in the 1860s bring thrilling opportunities Margaret could never have envisaged. Though when those posts end, her educational aspirations must be shelved again. Reliance on her sewing skills is paramount for survival when she returns to Dundee.
Meeting Sandy Watson means love, marriage and starting a family – though not necessarily in that order – are a striking development though it entails a move north to Peterhead. Yet, how can Margaret shed her fear of commitment and her independence and take the plunge?
Jessie, her sister-at-heart, is settled in Glasgow. Frequent letters are a life-line between them but when it all goes horribly wrong, the contents of Margaret’s correspondence don’t necessarily mirror her awful day-to-day realities.
Read an excerpt from the book!
At Jessie’s Wedding
Jessie plopped down beside her and linked arms, snuggling in to Margaret’s side. Jessie’s free hand slid appreciatively across the woollen material of her skirt.
“You look so elegant in that outfit.” Jessie’s enthusiasm was boundless. “Did you make it yourself?”
“Not quite, but I did refashion it to fit myself.” Margaret smiled conspiratorially. “It was a challenge since I’m a good bit taller that the original owner.”
Jessie chuckled. “I imagine that Mistress Baxton passed on what she regarded as something too old and worn for her to wear anymore?”
Margaret nudged Jessie’s shoulder, just like they used to do when growing up. “Exactly, except that she told me that the dark green would suit my auburn hair much better than it ever suited her and that it would be suitable for me to wear today.”
Jessie burrowed even closer and rested her head on Margaret’s shoulder, her expression comical when she locked their gazes. “Can you believe that I am eventually Mistress Barnes?”
Margaret patted Jessie’s fingers before she looked up at George. “I never doubted for one minute that this day would come. Congratulations to you both for I know for sure you will love being married to each other.”
Both George and Jessie smirked.
“Oh, Margaret.” Jessie turned to properly stare at her, her expression sobering. “Have you never met anyone yet who makes your heart sing?”
Margaret smirked back. “Don’t you think you’d have wormed that out of me if I had?”
George’s eyebrows rose a fraction before he coughed, too dramatic for it to be real. “I heard through the Dundee grapevine that a certain engineer who works for Mister Baxton was very enamoured of you.”
“What? I’ve never heard anything of that.” Jessie first slapped playfully at George’s leg then rubbed the spot in a fashion that made her new husband almost blush.
George lifted her hand away but held on to it. “That’s because I was told nothing came of it.”
“Well,” Jessie demanded. “Tell me all about it.”
Margaret laughed at her friend’s mock annoyance.
“He is handsome, I can say that, but not enough to make me want to walk out with him more than once. What George maybe doesn’t know is that very same young man also has a bit of a reputation for having a Don Juan attitude.”
The surprise on George’s face looked genuine.
“And that’s a polite version!” Margaret then changed the subject. “So, when are you two moving to Glasgow?”
“Tomorrow!”
There was a collective chortle after both George and Jessie spoke in tandem.
“We’ve rented a house not far from the Napier engineering yard and can move in tomorrow.” George looked so delighted with his statement.
Jessie added, “It’s actually an apartment in a tenement block with just the one bedroom, but it comes with the furnishings that we will need for a short stay.”
Margaret was confused. “But I thought your apprenticeship, or whatever you call the job, would be for a lot longer than that?”
George nodded, “It will be, if all goes according to plan. By then Mister Napier will help us find a more suitable place to stay since he knows the city better than I do.”
When George wandered off for a moment to talk to a cousin Jessie grasped Margaret’s hand. “Are you enjoying taking care of Marianne Baxton?”
Margaret’s amusement spilled over. “I am, and taking each day as it comes. It’s quite the job seeing to someone else’s needs in such detail.”
Jessie’s gaze was searching. “Are you finding her too demanding?”
A pat to Jessie’s hand was sufficiently reassuring. “Not at all. She’s easy to work for. I’m still finding it highly entertaining to point out possible clothes for her outings from her huge wardrobe choices.”
Jessie chuckled then plonked her palm over her lips, her eyes dancing. “Quite. Seeing as how you and I have such massive choices ourselves. But I’ve not heard you saying what the best part of the job is.”
Margaret’s nudge at Jessie’s elbow almost knocked her off the small couch. “You mean that someone else is doing my laundry again?”
“Exactly!” Jessie was giggling like fury. “I know that it’s your least liked task.”
Book details
Tailored Truths was published on 12th September 2025 by Nancy Jardine with Ocelot Press, and is available as an eBook and in paperback. It is available to read in Kindle Unlimited.
Buy Link
About the author
Nancy Jardine
Nancy Jardine writes historical adventure fiction, historical saga, time travel historical adventure and contemporary mysteries. Research, grandchildren, gardening fill up her day in the castle country of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, when not writing or promoting her writing. Interacting with readers is a joy at Book and Craft Fairs where she signs/sells paperback versions of her novels. She enjoys giving author presentations on her books and on Ancient Roman Scotland.
Memberships include: Historical Novel Society; Scottish Association of Writers, Federation of Writers Scotland, Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Alliance of Independent Authors. She’s self-published with Ocelot Press.
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Thank you so much for hosting my Tailored Truths today! It’s much appreciated.
My pleasure, Nancy!
Thanks so much for hosting Nancy Jardine today, with an enticing excerpt and fascinating guest post linked to her compelling new novel, Tailored Truths.
Take care,
Cathie xx
The Coffee Pot Book Club