Mimi Matthews discusses her latest book, Victorian medicine, horses, and more

Mimi Matthews’ latest book in her Belles of London series is The Belle of Belgrave Square. It tells the story of Julia Wynchwood, a shy, anxious romantic who is stuck inside a cage of her parent’s making. They demand she stay home to take care of them but she wants nothing more than to be away from them.

Cut to Captain Jasper Blunt. He is one of the most feared people in London. He’s intimidating, sports a serious facial scar, and was said to be diabolical when he fought in the military. He’s also known as a man who is looking for a wife to be a mother to his bastard children. Not the match most young women want to make.

But Julia is not like most young women and the more time she spends with Captain Blunt, the more she realizes he is not the man everyone thinks he is. And he just might be the hero she is looking for.

Culturess was lucky enough to talk to Mimi Matthews about her characters, Victorian medical practices, horses, and the next books in the Belles of London series.

Culturess: When you started the Belles of London series, did you have each couple planned out before started writing or did that come later? When we see Jasper and Julia in The Siren of Sussex, were they planned to be the next book?

Mimi Matthews: I’d like to say that I plan things out that thoroughly, but the truth is I mainly discover them as I go. It wasn’t until the mid-point of The Siren of Sussex that I knew Jasper and Julia would be the stars of the next book. The early threads of their story truly captured my imagination.

Mimi Matthews discusses her new book, The Belle of Belgrave Square

Culturess: The Belle of Belgrave Square has some distinct notes of Beauty and the Beast (along with a few other fairytales). There is even a secret room. Was that the plan when you started writing or did that just happen to fit the story?

Mimi Matthews: I didn’t have a plan when I started. However, as I was writing, I realized that Julia and Captain Blunt’s love story had a lot of the same elements as Victorian sensation novels of the 1860s—dark secrets, hidden identities, and threads of mystery and danger. I really wanted to play with those elements so that the finished narrative echoed the style of that style of nineteenth century novel. Belle also has nods to several popular fairytales, which worked well with the sensation-novel style, sometimes softening the darker themes and sometimes echoing them. For example, in the tale of Bluebeard’s Wife, there’s a secret room that a new wife is forbidden from entering. I really loved the threat of danger that added to my story.

Culturess: Horses are always a big part of your books. What draws you to them and what do you think they add to your stories?

Mimi Matthews: I’ve had horses since I was a little girl. Until a recent neck injury, riding was a huge part of my life. The bond you form with a horse is special. They’re not only a pet, they’re a partner. For a shy character, like Julia, having a horse as a partner helps her to be strong. She’s more courageous in the saddle. Eventually, that courage extends to the rest of her life. I think horses do that for people. Being with them, whether on the ground or in the saddle, changes you for the better.

Culturess: A few of your books, including this one, show the horrors of medicine in the Victorian era. Why do you think that’s important to feature in your books?

Mimi Matthews: Victorian medicine could be quite barbaric, whether it was a treatment as mild as bloodletting or something as brutal as forced committal to an asylum. I think the horror of it comes down to the loss of bodily autonomy. It’s something that frightened the Victorian public as much as it frightens us today. That fact makes it enduringly relatable, which is one of the reasons it’s present in some of my Victorian stories.

Culturess: Jasper has an epic rescue scene in the book (it’s so good!!). How did that come about in the writing process?

Mimi Matthews: Again, I had no great plan. But when I was writing that scene and Julia was in peril, I just knew how Jasper would react to hearing about her situation. He’s a man of action. A hero who will do what’s right no matter the consequences. And he was already half in love with her, of course, so there was no stopping him.

Culturess: As much as Jasper saves Julia in the book, Julia saves him right back. With his writing, with his kids, and with his secrets. Can you speak a little bit about that dynamic and how they balance each other out?

Mimi Matthews: Part of Julia’s journey was learning to be strong—to fight for herself and for her found family. As she gains confidence, she realizes she has a whole inner reserve of strength to draw upon. That both helps and hinders Jasper as he tries to both protect her and protect his secrets. In the end, one character isn’t necessarily stronger than the other or more of a savior. They simply work together, each giving the other what they need when they most need it, while still being true to their own core values.

Culturess: Are there any historical bits that you snuck into the story that we may not notice? Or did any part of your research surprise you for this book?

Mimi Matthews: I hope there are lots of unnoticeable historical bits in my novels! I like my research—whether fashion, technology, or true-life events of the day—to blend effortlessly into the narrative. I don’t want my romances to read like history books. Unfortunately, that means I can’t include all of my research. And yes, there were a few tidbits that surprised me—though I can’t reveal them without spoiling a major plot point!

Culturess: Can you talk a little bit about Julia’s character development? While many of the characters change, Julia’s development is probably the greatest as she goes from very skittish and shy to quite brave.

Mimi Matthews: A large part of Julia’s development is owing to a change in environment. At the beginning of the story, she’s living in London with her parents in what is, essentially, an abusive situation. Her mother and father diminish her and make her world small. Add to that the ruthless competition of the London social season and it’s no wonder a sensitive young lady like Julia would rather hide in bed with a book than go to a ball. Once married, however, Julia’s environment drastically changes. Her world becomes bigger and far more supportive and nourishing. It’s the main reason she’s able to flourish.

Culturess: How did Jasper’s backstory come about? Without giving too much away, it is complex and heartbreaking but it shows so much of why he is the way he is.

Mimi Matthews: I can’t say much without spoiling the plot, except that Jasper’s backstory was partially inspired by my own interest in the conflict that sometimes arises between law and morality. Jasper was confronted with that conflict and he chose to honor a moral right, even though it meant he was violating the law. His choice has had consequences he never imagined.

Culturess: The four Belles are separated for most of this book. Will they be back together again in the next books?

Mimi Matthews: Yes! All four Belles reunite in Book 3, The Lily of Ludgate Hill. There are lots of scenes with them together. Readers even get to see Evelyn Maltravers’s wedding to Ahmad Malik!

Culturess: A Modest Independence is one of my favorite of your books so I love seeing the Finchleys in this series. Will they be featured in the rest of the books as well?

Mimi Matthews: I’m so glad you enjoyed A Modest Independence! Yes, the Finchleys will appear again in Belles of London, Book 4. In fact, characters from my Parish Orphans of Devon series are sprinkled throughout my Belles of London series in both big and small ways. Alex and Laura Archer and Teddy Hayes appear in The Lily of Ludgate Hill. And Teddy is the hero of Book 4, The Muse of Maiden Lane. You can also expect to see Justin Thornhill and Lady Helena in Book 4, along with Neville and Clara Cross.

The Belle of Belgrave Square is available on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2022, in ebook, paperback, and audiobook formats.