Great historical mysteries do more than solve crimes; they resurrect forgotten worlds. C. A. Asbrey, the Scottish author behind The Innocents Mysteries, has built a reputation for doing exactly that.
Through detailed historical research and compelling storytelling, Christine Anne Asbrey crafts novels that explore overlooked corners of history, particularly the role of women in early criminal investigation.
In our latest WriteStats Author Interview, Asbrey discusses:
- How a childhood love of storytelling shaped her career.
- Why historical mysteries continue to captivate readers.
- The realities of publishing and marketing books.
- Her creative process and writing tools.
- What upcoming projects readers can expect.
For writers interested in historical fiction or mystery, her journey offers practical insights into building immersive stories and sustainable writing careers.
Who Is C. A. Asbrey?
C. A. Asbrey (Christine Anne Asbrey) is a Scottish historical mystery writer currently living in the United Kingdom. Born on May 12, 1967, she has published six novels in The Innocents Mysteries series.
Her books include:
- The Innocents
- Innocent As Sin
- Innocent Bystander
- In All Innocence
- Innocent Minds
- Innocent To The Last
The series explores crime investigation in the 19th century, inspired by the real but often forgotten female Pinkerton detectives who operated during that era.
What makes Asbrey’s work stand out in the crowded historical fiction market is her ability to combine:
- Rigorous historical research.
- Authentic investigative detail.
- Classic mystery storytelling.
- Character-driven narratives.
Before becoming a novelist, Asbrey worked in law enforcement, an experience that continues to influence the investigative realism of her fiction.
The Early Spark: How C. A. Asbrey Fell in Love with Storytelling
Many authors trace their passion for writing back to childhood, and C. A. Asbrey is no exception.
“I’ve always wanted to write,” she says.
Her earliest memories involve storytelling for her younger sister.
“My sister recently reminded me that when she was a toddler, she’d sneak into my bed to listen to the stories I’d make up for her in the middle of the night.”
However, pursuing a writing career initially felt unrealistic.
“It just seemed too remote and daunting an aspiration for a working-class woman,” she explains.
Instead, she focused on work and life for many years before returning to her creative ambitions.
Ironically, the turning point came after a serious accident left her confined to bed for months.
“That boredom led me to read everything I could and to rekindle that old passion.”
For many writers, this moment will feel familiar: life circumstances unexpectedly reopening the door to creativity.
The Mystery Authors Who Shaped C. A. Asbrey
The influence of classic detective fiction is unmistakable in Asbrey’s work.
She grew up reading the giants of the Golden Age mystery tradition.
“When I was a child I got hooked on writers like Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, and Margery Allingham.”
These books were not simply entertainment; they were intellectual puzzles.
“They weren’t just books; they were a puzzle I could play along with and try to solve.”
This puzzle-driven structure remains one of the reasons mystery novels continue to perform well with readers. As explored in our research on reader behavior, mystery books are finished more often than many other genres, partly because the narrative tension encourages readers to keep turning pages.
For writers interested in applying these techniques, you can explore the deeper analysis here:
Why Mystery Books Are Finished More Often: 7 Writing Lessons for Every Author
Building the World of The Innocents Mysteries
One of the most revealing insights from the interview is how carefully Asbrey constructs the world of her stories before writing.
She spends significant time building the internal logic of her characters and setting.
“The story motivates me,” she says. “It takes me a long time to build the whole world.”
This preparation includes:
- Detailed character histories.
- Motivations and psychological traits.
- Speech patterns.
- Social background.
- Appearance and behavior.
“I need to know how everyone looks, their backstory, their motivations, their characteristics, and even the varying speech patterns for every single person.”
Only after that groundwork is complete does the story truly begin to unfold.
“Once I do, they go off on their own and tell their own tales.”
For many writers, this approach highlights an important truth: rich characters often drive better plots than rigid outlines.
Lessons for Authors: Research Matters in Historical Fiction
Historical fiction readers expect authenticity. Even small details can make or break the immersive experience.
That’s why writers like Asbrey invest significant effort in research before writing.
Her fascination with overlooked historical stories—such as the female Pinkerton detectives—also illustrates an important storytelling principle:
The most compelling stories often lie in history’s blind spots.
Authors exploring this genre can benefit from examining:
- Lesser-known historical professions.
- Marginalized voices in history.
- Unusual historical crimes or investigations.
We explore this trend in greater depth in our analysis of historical fiction publishing and reader demand:
Historical Fiction for Authors: Market Trends, Writing Tips, and Untold Stories
The Writing Tools C. A. Asbrey Uses
While creativity drives the storytelling, Asbrey relies on a structured editorial process to refine her work.
Her workflow includes:
- Microsoft Word for drafting
- ProWritingAid for editing and analysis
- Beta readers for story feedback
- Professional editing before publication
“I use Word and ProWritingAid, running it through numerous times,” she says.
But editing doesn’t stop there.
“Then I submit it to beta readers and fix any plot holes or flat areas. Then I put it to a professional editor.”
For authors, this layered editing process highlights a crucial lesson:
Great books are rarely written, they are rewritten.
The Reality of Marketing Books
One of the most honest parts of the interview is Asbrey’s discussion of marketing.
Many writers discover that promoting their books takes as much effort as writing them.
“Marketing takes up so much time; but you have to do it.”
And she makes an important point that every author eventually learns:
“There’s no point in writing a great book if nobody knows it’s out there.”
Her experience also highlights another challenge in publishing: networking.
“As an author with a disability, it’s very hard to get to conventions and events, so networking is hard.”
This makes digital marketing and online author platforms increasingly important for modern writers.
C. A. Asbrey on AI and Creativity
The conversation around artificial intelligence in publishing is evolving rapidly, and Asbrey offers a thoughtful perspective.
“I am against using AI tools,” she says.
However, her reasoning goes beyond technology itself.
“AI only copies real creativity and humans will always come up with something way out of left-field that AI can’t.”
She also humorously points out a paradox in current technological trends.
“I’m sure I’m not the only one who is disappointed that AI seems to want to do the lovely stuff that humans do to enhance their lives, instead of stuff like cleaning, ironing, and sheer hard graft.”
For writers navigating new technologies, her perspective raises an interesting question: what role should technology play in creative work?
What’s Next for C. A. Asbrey?
While The Innocents Mysteries series has already established her reputation, Asbrey is currently working on a new historical project.
“I’m writing a series based in Victorian Scotland that’s again based on overlooked history—that’s my thing.”
Like her previous work, the upcoming series will highlight people whose achievements were historically underestimated.
“My new series focuses on another minority performing unexpected roles, and reaching career highs we’ve been told weren’t possible.”
She adds that these challenges make for stronger storytelling.
“Their roads were rockier and those challenges make for more interesting characters.”
The Legacy C. A. Asbrey Hopes to Leave
When asked about the long-term legacy of her writing, Asbrey offers a simple but meaningful answer.
“Enjoyment.”
For readers and writers alike, that goal captures the essence of storytelling.
After all, the best books do more than entertain; they connect us with history, imagination, and the enduring power of human creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions About C. A. Asbrey
Who is C. A. Asbrey?
C. A. Asbrey, also known as Christine Anne Asbrey, is a Scottish historical mystery author based in the United Kingdom. She is known for writing immersive Victorian-era mysteries and for focusing on overlooked parts of history in her fiction.
How many books has C. A. Asbrey published?
C. A. Asbrey has published six books. Her interview with WriteStats lists six published titles in The Innocents Mysteries series.
What are C. A. Asbrey’s books in order?
According to her interview, the books are: The Innocents, Innocent As Sin, Innocent Bystander, In All Innocence, Innocent Minds, and Innocent To The Last.
What is The Innocents Mysteries series about?
C. A. Asbrey explains that her first series focuses on the “largely overlooked female Pinkertons of the 19th century” and highlights how skilled and brave they were. That makes The Innocents Mysteries a historical mystery series rooted in overlooked history, crime, and women’s roles in investigation.
What is C. A. Asbrey working on next?
She says she is writing a new series set in Victorian Scotland that is also based on overlooked history. Like her earlier work, it focuses on people in unexpected roles whose achievements have often been ignored.
