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Author Anne Perry to lecture at history department event

Best-selling author will help raise money for first-ever

The UA department of history continues its "Mysteries in History" lecture series with a speech by renowned historical murder mystery writer Anne Perry.

"She (Perry) is one of the biggest - if not the biggest - historical murder mystery writers in the world," said Kathy Westerhouse, program coordinator for the department. "She weaves in historical research, a lot of research, into her novels."

Through its collaboration with Clues Unlimited, Tucson's only mystery-oriented bookstore, the history department will combine a dinner, reception and lecture into a single event.

Perry will lecture on the "invisible research" that goes into creating a historically convincing narrative.

"Since I didn't live in that time, I have to do a considerable amount of research," Perry said. "Doing it well is a great deal of succeeding."

Perry said she begins researching after she selects an issue for her next work and finds the process does not always go smoothly.

"You might think of an issue, then have to discard it because it doesn't provide a plot," she said.

In Perry's novels, the issues are actually the focus of the narrative, with the mystery in the background. Her latest novel, for example, which was released in early April, addresses the dangers of confusing pornography with art.

"She takes on different social evils like prostitution and addresses them in her books," Westerhouse said.

Perry said she found readers have responded to her novels by saying that, for them, the issue the book addressed was more significant than the mystery.

"I've been very pleased that the mystery was secondary (in reader's opinions) - that the issue was the enjoyment," Perry said.

Whenever possible, the coordinators, with the help of Clues Unlimited, invite speakers from outside the university to speak. Perry is currently on tour for her newly released book, "Half Moon Street," and is scheduled to hold a book signing from 2 to 4 p.m. today at Clues Unlimited, 123 S. Eastbourne Drive.

Christine Acevedo, co-owner of the bookstore, said she thought Perry would be a good match for the lecture series. Perry is the best-selling author of thirty novels that uses a detailed, expansive portrayal of Victorian England as a backdrop for each mystery.

Since its inception two-and-a-half years ago, the program has been anything but regular.

"They created the series to generate funds for our (the history department's) first undergraduate scholarship," Westerhouse said. "We wanted something that was not just a regular lecture series."

Westerhouse said that they expect to raise about $1,500 for the scholarship.

The series invites a variety of speakers to give a lecture concerning mysteries throughout all of history at one of the two or three events held each year.

"Different people come in and explore different mysteries," Westerhouse said.

In past events, history department faculty have given lectures, including one by department head Richard Cosgrove on serial killer Jack the Ripper.

Other topics that have been presented have been the mysteries surrounding Lizzy Borden and the death of Cleopatra.

The event will begin with a wine and cheese reception at 6 p.m. at Clues Unlimited. Then, at 7 p.m., the attendees will move to the Plaza Hotel, 1900 E. Speedway Blvd., for dinner and the lecture. Ticket prices are $40 per person. For information and reservations, call 621-9359.