History Through Fiction - The Podcast

In this episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful interviews J. Suzanne Wilson, author of The Death and Life of Iphigenia. Jenny shares her inspiration for reimagining the myth of Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon, and discusses her journey from academic study to crafting historical fiction. Discover how Jenny blends research, imagination, and personal experience to bring...

In this episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful interviews Dennard Tyler Dayle, author of How to Dodge a Cannonball. Dayle shares an excerpt and discusses his satirical take on the Civil War through the eyes of Anders, a teenage flag twirler. They explore the novel’s humor, unique structure, and the complexities of loyalty and survival. Dayle also reflects on his resear...

In this episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful speaks with with Meagan Church, author of "The Mad Wife." Meagan begins by reading a powerful excerpt from her novel, setting the stage for a deep dive into the story’s themes and historical context. The conversation explores the life of Lulu Mayfield, a 1950s housewife whose seemingly perfect suburban existence unravels a...

In this episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful sits down with Katherine Reay, author of The English Masterpiece. Set in 1973 London, this gripping historical novel follows Diana Gilden, the first female keeper of the modern collections at the Tate Gallery, and her assistant, Lily Summers, as they navigate the high-stakes world of art forgery. When Lily identifies a Pic...

In this intriguing episode of History Through Fiction the podcast, host Colin Mustful welcomes back Jillian Forsberg to discuss her new novel, The Porcelain Menagerie, a companion to The Rhino Keeper. Jillian shares the real history behind her characters, the challenges of writing about dark truths, and the importance of artistic legacy. The conversation explores the novel’s blend of art, intrigue...

In this intriguing episode of History Through Fiction the podcast, host Colin Mustful speaks with author Angela Shupe to discuss her debut novel In the Light of the Sun, inspired by her own family history. Set during World War II in both Italy and the Philippines, the novel explores resilience, faith, and the power of music amid wartime upheaval. Shupe shares how opera, resistance movements, and p...

In this intriguing episode of History Through Fiction the podcast, host Colin Mustful speaks with author Kristen Loesch to discuss her novel The Hong Kong Widow, a sweeping historical mystery set across 1930s Shanghai, 1950s Hong Kong, and modern-day Hong Kong. Loesch shares how family history, urban legends, and the idea of a “collective hallucination” shaped her story. She reveals the challenges...

In this intriguing episode of History Through Fiction the podcast, host Colin Mustful interviews Sarah Landenwich, author of The Fire Concerto. Discover the story of Clara Bishop, a former piano prodigy drawn into a historical mystery after inheriting a 19th-century metronome linked to a famous composer’s death. Sarah discusses blending fact and fiction, the challenges of writing about classical m...

In this intriguing episode of History Through Fiction the podcast, host Colin Mustful interviews Joy Calloway, author of The Star of Camp Green, a novel inspired by Broadway star Elsie Janis and set in a World War I army training camp. Joy discusses her research into Camp Green’s history, the real-life inspirations behind her characters, and the challenges of blending fact with fiction. Listeners...

In this episode of History Through Fiction the podcast, author Charles Bush joins host Colin Mustful to discuss his novel The Boy with the Jade, a reimagining of the Chinese classic Dream of the Red Chamber. Charles shares his process of adapting the epic story, focusing on the character Bao Yu, and explores the novel’s historical context, symbolism, and philosophical themes. Discover how Charles’...

In this captivating episode of History Through Fiction the podcast, host Colin Mustful interviews author Sarah Loudin Thomas about her novel These Blue Mountains. Sarah shares the real-life inspiration behind her story—a German woman’s search for her missing fiancé, a World War I civilian internee in North Carolina. The discussion explores Appalachian history, the creation of a Bavarian village by...

In this captivating episode, host Colin Mustful sits down with bestselling author Rhys Bowen to discuss her latest novel, Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure. Set in 1938, the story follows Ellie Endicott, a dutiful wife blindsided by her husband’s request for a divorce. Instead of retreating quietly, Ellie embarks on a bold journey to the south of France, where she discovers friendship, community,...

Welcome to Season 9 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast—where the past comes alive through extraordinary stories and unforgettable characters. This season, we travel from the opulent courts of 18th-century Dresden to the battlefields of the American Civil War, from haunted mansions in 1950s Hong Kong to the heart of ancient Egypt. You’ll meet daring aristocrats, courageous performers, trailbla...

In this special bonus episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful sits down with Todd Otis, author of Sparks of the Revolution. The conversation dives into the life and legacy of James Otis, a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in the early resistance against British rule. Todd shares insights into Otis’s legal battles, his mental health struggles, and his influence on key...

This episode is sponsored by Anne Dean, author of Far Side of Revenge – Filled with captivating, complex characters, Far Side of Revenge is a remarkable feat of storytelling. The world of medieval Ireland springs to life before your eyes. In the final episode of Season 8, Alina Adams and Kyra Davis Lurie engage in a compelling conversation. They discuss the inspiration behind The Great Mann, focus...

In Season 8, Episode 12 of "History Through Fiction: The Podcast," host Colin Mustful welcomes Billie-Hanson Dupree, author of the upcoming novel Still Kicking. Inspired by her father, a World War II veteran, Billie shares the journey of crafting a historical fiction narrative that explores themes of trauma, resilience, and racial inequality. Set in post-war California, the novel follows Bill and...

In Season 8, Episode 11 of "History Through Fiction: The Podcast," host Colin Mustful interviews bestselling author Sarah Penner about her latest novel, The Amalfi Curse. Sarah discusses the dual timelines of her story, featuring a present-day nautical archaeologist and a 19th-century sea witch, Mari. She shares insights into her meticulous research process, including scuba diving and consulting e...

In Season 8, Episode 9 of "History Through Fiction: The Podcast," host Colin Mustful speaks with authors Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz, and Chris Crabtree about their novel Hold Strong. The book explores the tragic story of the Arisan Maru, a Japanese "hellship" carrying Allied POWs during World War II. The authors discuss their 11-year journey of extensive research, including declassified document...

In Season 8, Episode 9 of "History Through Fiction: The Podcast," host Colin Mustful sits down with C.W. Towarnicki, author of Notes from a Deserter. They delve into the intriguing story behind the gravesite on Towarnicki's property that sparked the novel's creation. The conversation explores the craft of constructing a short story cycle, offering diverse perspectives from the Civil War era. Towar...

In Season 8, Episode 8 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful interviews author Shara Moon about her novel Let Us March On, which tells the story of Elizabeth McDuffie, FDR's maid and an influential yet overlooked historical figure. Shara discusses Lizzie's rise from modest beginnings to her role in the White House, where she advocated for civil rights and social change. The c...

In Season 8, Episode 7 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful interviews Margaret Pinard, author of Orla Rafferty Seeks Her Fortune. Margaret discusses her novel set in 1830s Scotland, exploring themes of women's independence, political reform, and social change through the lens of historical fiction. She shares her journey from international development to indie publishing, h...

In Season 8, Episode 6 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful sits down with J. E. Weiner, author of The Wretched and Undone. Dive into the southern gothic genre as Weiner discusses the sweeping history from the Civil War to WW1 that forms the backdrop of his novel. Explore the captivating and distinctive setting of the Texas Hill Country, and discover how it shapes the narrat...

In Season 8, Episode 5 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful interviews Costanza Casati, author of "Babylonia." Casati shares her fascination with the ancient world, focusing on the legendary queen Semiramis. She discusses the vibrant world of Mesopotamia, her research surprises, and the roles of characters like Onnes, Ninus, and Ribat. Casati also reflects on her lyrical wri...

In Season 8, Episode 4 of "History Through Fiction: The Podcast," host Colin Mustful interviews Hilary Coyne, author of "An End of Troubles," the winning entry in the History Through Fiction short story contest. The story centers on Mary, Queen of Scots, exploring her historical significance and personal struggles through the fictional lens of a servant girl named Agnes. Coyne discusses the blend...

Join host Colin Mustful in Season 8, Episode 3 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, as he chats with N.J. Mastro, author of Solitary Walker, a novel about Mary Wollstonecraft. Discover what inspired Nancy to spotlight this pioneering figure and how she navigated the challenges of bringing Wollstonecraft's story to life. Tune in for insights on historical fiction and the enduring impact of wome...