Behind the Scenes: Setting
How I chose the perfect setting for my mystery series!
When I started writing my first mystery novel, I had a clear vision of my characters. I had more ideas for clues, plots, and twists than I could ever fit into one book. I felt confident in my writing skills and had plenty of free time to invest in the project.
But I was missing one key element: the setting.
A good story can be placed in any setting and still be a good story. But the setting is an important element of a book—it's the stage for the action! While the plot and characters drive the story, the setting adds a unique flavor to the novel and can create an immersive experience for the reader.
My plans include several books in the same series, so the setting deserved some serious thought and research. I needed a versatile place to be a living backdrop for action, intrigue, and character growth. But how could I narrow it down? Out of all the cities in the world, which one would fit the story I wanted to tell?
I started by thinking about the feeling I wanted to evoke for readers.
I pictured a city with history, charm, and a strong community. A place where my characters' lives could intersect in both personal and professional ways. I live in a close-knit community, and I wanted to give my characters those kinds of ties.
On the other hand, my main characters have ties to the U.S. Intelligence Community, so my story needed a major city with the potential for espionage themes. To me, that meant a coastal city. I wanted the freedom to weave in storylines of international intrigue, secret ports, and coastal escapes.
When I think of a big city with a small-town feel, Baltimore, Maryland, is the first place that comes to mind. My husband and I have visited Baltimore many times, and it has become our favorite cruise port. There’s something special about the city—its history, waterfront charm, diverse culture, and close-knit community drew me in.
As I researched this possible setting, I found that a historical figure, fictionally related to my main character, is buried in Baltimore. That sealed the deal. I remember jumping up from my computer, running to my husband’s office, and spilling all the details. I talked so fast he probably only caught half of it, but he got the gist. There’s no feeling quite like the moment when everything clicks.
Baltimore’s neighborhoods are full of personality, and that sense of community was exactly what I wanted to capture. Even though it’s a major city, it feels like the kind of place where you might run into someone you know. Each neighborhood has its own unique vibe, and I can’t wait to explore them further in my books. The bonus is that my fictional main character now has historical roots in Baltimore.
Once I had the location nailed down, I had half of my setting decided. Next, I turned to the question of time.
I’ve always loved TV detective dramas set in the 1960s and 70s, with their dated technology and slower pace. But I wasn’t sure I could make that era relatable.
I didn’t want to dive into the ultra-modern world of cutting-edge technology, politics, and post-pandemic challenges either.
I kept moving my story forward and backward in time until I settled on 2009. The process was all trial and error, but once the era clicked, the setting finally felt right.
The late 2000s had a particular energy—things were shifting, but not as rapidly as they are today. That pacing felt right for my story. Setting the book 15 years in the past gave me enough distance from the present to create a world that feels different yet familiar. It also presented a fun challenge. While it’s not exactly historical fiction, it required research to capture the details. I’ve enjoyed revisiting that time: smartphones were becoming more common, but they weren’t yet indispensable. The iPhone 3GS had just been released, and while phones were used for more than calls and texts, they hadn’t fully integrated into every aspect of life.
This limited technology was perfect for the espionage elements of my novel. It allowed me to play with the tension between old-school spycraft and the rapidly advancing digital world.
Beyond technology, 2009 was a time shaped by economic uncertainty. The aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis influenced many people’s lives, and that instability plays a key role in The Scheme. It drives my private detective to take on a case outside her comfort zone and adds layers of complexity to other characters’ motivations.
Writing this book has been an adventure. Baltimore in 2009 provided the perfect canvas—a city with rich history, vibrant culture, and a sense of connection. The era offered just enough distance from the present to create a unique space for the story to unfold. I hope readers enjoy the setting and time period as much as I’ve enjoyed bringing them to life.
Fellow fiction authors, how did you choose the setting for your story? I love seeing behind the scenes of others writing process!
Fiction readers, what kind of setting is your favorite? Small town, big city, deep in the woods or something else entirely? Do you like books set in the past, present, or future?
Let me know in the comments!
Amethyst Drake
I enjoyed reading about how you picked your setting, Amanda-Grace! I’ve gravitated toward New England settings for several of my novels, because that’s where I grew up and went to college.
Great description. Many of my stories are set in places I have visited and based on experiences I have had. For example, Passion in Praiano is set on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. I loved the scenery and the energy of the place and so I set the murder on a cliff over the sea.
I helped a friend in the Cleveland Clinic and so I set a story in the clinic, starring an MD there. But since I eventually had to return home, I moved the action back here, too. (Confucius in Cleveland)
The beach in North Carolina is my favorite and so several of my stories (30 short stories published, too) are set there, often with the ocean playing a major role!! (GAFF—Wisdom from the Sea, The View from Afar, Sex on the Beach). Saudade is set in Portugal as are a number of short stories I have published. As in other cases, the energy and the vibe of the place as well as some of my experiences took front row center in the stories.
So, part of what I write is about place as character as Amethyst mentioned.