3 Reasons Why I Set My Mysteries in the 1960s

I’m often asked at author events, “Why did you set The Finger Lakes Mysteries in the late 1960s?” I love that question!

 When the story idea for The Cavanaugh House first came to me, I told Rich about it. We were driving to visit my family in Rochester, New York. We’d planned to visit the Finger Lakes region since Rich had never been there. He suggested I set my mystery in that area. (More on that story in another blog.)

Aside from Rich’s brilliant suggestion, here are three reasons why I chose that era.

Technology

Does anyone remember the 1980s TV show Knight Rider? Whenever Michael Knight got into trouble, he would summon KITT, his AI-equipped Pontiac Trans Am. He’d speak into his watch that was eerily similar to an Apple watch, and say, “Come here, KITT. I need ya’ buddy.” Driverless, KITT would race to the rescue and help Michael save the day.

I didn’t want that to happen in The Cavanaugh House. Just like my family did back then, Jesse has one black telephone on a table in the front hall. When she faces danger, she doesn’t have a cell phone to call someone for help. She must find a solution by herself. And she always does!

A Great Era

Who doesn’t love the 60s? Peace, Hippies, Make Love Not War, and the music! I am a confessed Beatlemaniac (see “A Day in the Life of The Beatles”). But it wasn’t just the British Invasion of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Chad and Jeremy, et al., other genre were the soundtrack of life. We had the surfin’ sound of The Beach Boys, the bluesy sound of Janice Joplin, and the soulful sounds of Motown.

As Jesse drives along in her yellow 1965 Volkswagen Beetle, she usually listens to songs on WBBF radio out of Rochester, NY. Many of these artists are referenced in this series. Mostly The Beatles. Author’s prerogative.

Memories

A major reason I set my mysteries in the late 60s is because I remember them. Yes, I’m THAT OLD!! But young at heart. One time I got to my eighth-grade class a half hour late so I could be part of the throng greeting Sen. Bobby Kennedy. I missed his handshake by one person.

My family loved Genesee Beer, especially Cream Ale, and a favorite meal was Zweigle’s White Hots. At that time, they were only available in Rochester, NY. Jesse and her friends enjoy them often in The Finger Lakes Mysteries series.

The Finger Lakes region was a favorite place for me. We’d go to Roseland Amusement Park on Canandaigua Lake and my Uncle Joe’s cottage on Keuka Lake. I lived in Ithaca, NY on the campus of Cornell University “far above Cayuga’s waters.”

Throughout The Finger Lakes Mysteries series, Jesse and her best friend Maggie (aka Sister Angelina) have some of their best conversations on the shores of Seneca Lake near the fictional town of Seneca Corners.

Mark Twain once said, “Write what you know.” I followed his advice and not only wrote what I knew, but I wrote what I loved.

Your Favorite Setting

If you were to write a book set in your fond memories, where would it be? Please comment and let me know why.