My wip is set c1810 in rural Norfolk, England. I think it is a hybrid - historic crime. It is about a woman who wants to own the house she was born in. To be able to do this she has to kill everyone who stands in her way - parents and siblings. Given some of the methods she uses to kill her family off she gets way with all her murders. Not going to tell you if she gets the house though.
I have researched all sorts of things - herbs and herbal remedies, floor plans for farmhouses from the period, still rooms and their uses. I even ended up creating an artefact see here: http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=244473 I also have to find out how big farms were - acreage and buildings.
I will also re-read some Austen to get the feel of the period and social nuances.
I have researched all sorts of things - herbs and herbal remedies, floor plans for farmhouses from the period, still rooms and their uses. I even ended up creating an artefact see here: http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=244473 I also have to find out how big farms were - acreage and buildings.
I will also re-read some Austen to get the feel of the period and social nuances.