Engaging storylines. Costain manages to combine historical facts with fictional elements in a seamless way. His stories are full of drama, conflict, and adventure. Take 'The Black Rose' as an example. It has a thrilling plot that keeps the readers hooked from start to finish while also teaching them about historical events and cultures.
One of his well - known works is 'The Conquerors'. It vividly depicts the Norman Conquest of England. It's full of rich historical details and engaging characters that bring that era to life.
Costain's use of historical events as the backbone of his stories is also notable. He weaves fictional characters and their personal dramas around real historical happenings like wars, political intrigues, and royal ascensions, which gives his novels both educational and entertaining value.
Another famous one is 'The Moneyman'. This novel delves into the financial and business aspects of a particular historical period, along with the personal stories of the characters involved. It shows how money and power were intertwined during that time.
His historic fiction often features strong - willed protagonists. For example, in many of his Western - themed historic fictions, the main characters are tough and have a clear sense of justice.
One of his well - known historic fiction works is 'Appaloosa'. It offers a vivid portrayal of the Old West, with engaging characters and a great sense of the time period.
The 'Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye' based on the true story of Sue Thomas is quite interesting. Sue was a unique individual with a special talent for lip - reading. In the show, we saw her face various challenges while working in the FBI. The fact that it was based on a true story made it more engaging, as it showed real - life struggles and triumphs. For example, her ability to adapt in a world that was not always accommodating to her deafness was inspiring.
The fact that Sue Thomas, despite being deaf, had such a unique skill like lip - reading. It was very inspiring for the creation of the show. Her ability to use this skill in the context of FBI investigations was quite remarkable.
A historic novel often has accurate historical settings. It takes place in a specific period of history, like the Victorian era or the Middle Ages. The characters' actions and behaviors are influenced by the social norms and values of that time.
First, you need to do a lot of research about the historical period you want to write about. Make sure your details are accurate. Also, create interesting characters that fit the time. And, have a compelling plot that keeps readers engaged.