I'm working on a novella set in a fictional 17th century country modeled on the Republic of Venice (in-universe and in real life). A very highly-priced assassin has been hired to murder of some of the most powerful people in the country, and our heroes are trying to not only find the killer, but also his client.
Given that the killer's services come with an uber-high price tag, and he'd want to be paid in coin (and at least partially in advance), the protagonists are going to try and follow the money trail - investigate the likely suspects' finances and see if any unusually large sums of money are unaccounted for, that sort of thing. In terms of the plot, following the trail in and of itself won't solve the murder, given who the assassin's patron is (I don't want to spoil it here), but it will eliminate some possible suspects (some of whom are the most wealthy and influential figures in the country).
Any suggestions for stuff I should keep in mind when writing this part of the book, given the setting? Not in terms of writing mechanics or creating tension during this scene, but structuring the following of the money trail. (Regardless of how much of it goes into the actual story.) In the absence of electronic record keeping, how would 17th century noble houses (circa 1639, to be exact) accurately keep track of their finances, and how would one be able to make a huge payment to someone without anyone noticing the money's disappeared? (Aside from bribes of silence, having to trust certain underlings to keep their mouths shut, or burying a lot of bodies.) If that were to happen, how could such a thing be discovered?
Any interesting tricks on either end I could work in (either to conceal or reveal information), any overused cliches to avoid, any questions that should or shouldn't be asked?
Thanks!
Given that the killer's services come with an uber-high price tag, and he'd want to be paid in coin (and at least partially in advance), the protagonists are going to try and follow the money trail - investigate the likely suspects' finances and see if any unusually large sums of money are unaccounted for, that sort of thing. In terms of the plot, following the trail in and of itself won't solve the murder, given who the assassin's patron is (I don't want to spoil it here), but it will eliminate some possible suspects (some of whom are the most wealthy and influential figures in the country).
Any suggestions for stuff I should keep in mind when writing this part of the book, given the setting? Not in terms of writing mechanics or creating tension during this scene, but structuring the following of the money trail. (Regardless of how much of it goes into the actual story.) In the absence of electronic record keeping, how would 17th century noble houses (circa 1639, to be exact) accurately keep track of their finances, and how would one be able to make a huge payment to someone without anyone noticing the money's disappeared? (Aside from bribes of silence, having to trust certain underlings to keep their mouths shut, or burying a lot of bodies.) If that were to happen, how could such a thing be discovered?
Any interesting tricks on either end I could work in (either to conceal or reveal information), any overused cliches to avoid, any questions that should or shouldn't be asked?
Thanks!
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