I'm pleased to welcome Brandy Purdy to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Brandy is the author of Ashes on the Wind: The Love Story Behind the Crime of the Century which was published earlier this year.
Kathy: Ashes on the Wind: The Love Story Behind the Crime of the Century is the story of Nathan “Babe” Leopold and Richard “Dickie” Loeb. How did you first learn about these men?
BP: I first read about them in a true crime anthology that I read as a little girl, A Pictorial History of American Crime by Allen Churchill. There were several stories in that book that still fascinate me, but this was one that really stayed with me.
Kathy: Do you think if they had not been as privileged they would have committed the same crime?
BP: That's very hard to say. Although they would not have had governesses and chauffeurs if they had been poor, they might have still suffered parental neglect, but for different reasons. But whether they would have still found each other or not... They grew up living two blocks from each other and came from the same social background but didn't come together until they were both 15 and attending the University of Chicago.
Kathy: Is it your opinion that they were in love or were they just looking for self gratification?
BP: While they both gained something they desired from the relationship, for Nathan Leopold at least it was definitely love. It has been reported that he remained in love with Richard Loeb for the rest of his life, even long after Loeb was gone. As for my novel, Ashes on the Wind, the subtitle "the love story behind the Crime of the Century" shouldn't necessarily be taken at face value, ultimately it's for the reader to decide after finishing the book what that's in reference to.
Kathy: Was justice served?
BP: I think Judge Caverly's verdict was correct and very wise. Death would have been too quick and easy for them, by sentencing them to life plus 99 years they were forced to grow up in prison and had plenty of time to reflect on what they had done, though if they actually did depends on whether you believe Nathan Leopold's autobiography.
Kathy: Are you a true crime enthusiast? Is there a case to which you are most drawn?
BP: I've always enjoyed reading about real crimes, but there are some that my mind just latches on to for some reason and I try to keep up with any new theories or developments, there are some that have been following since I was a small child. I have a particular fascination with mysterious disappearances.
Kathy: What first drew you to historical fiction?
BP: When I was in third grade I was given a book of supposedly true ghost stories, and there was a chapter about Anne Boleyn haunting the Tower of London, and I was so fascinated by the stories in that book that I began seriously reading history.
Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?
BP: No, all of my books are historical fiction.
My first novel was The Confession of Piers Gaveston, about the notorious "favorite" of the medieval king Edward II.
My second novel began life as Vengeance is Mine but when Kensington bought the rights they changed the title to The Boleyn Wife. It's about Lady Jane Rochford, Anne Boleyn's insanely jealous sister-in-law who falsely accused her husband George of committing incest with his sister Anne when she lost her husband Henry VIII's favor. After that I was contracted to write four more novels set in Tudor England, The Tudor Throne about the daughters of Henry VIII, Mary and Elizabeth; The Queen's Pleasure, about the mysterious death of Amy Robsart, wife of Elizabeth I's favorite courtier, Lord Robert Dudley; The Queen's Rivals about the Grey Sisters; and lastly The Boleyn Bride about Elizabeth Boleyn.
After that I wrote two historical novels inspired by famous crimes. The Ripper's Wife is based on the controversial Ripper Diary that surfaced in the 1990s and claims that a Liverpool cotton merchant named James Maybrick was Jack the Ripper, it's told in diary entries alternating with the narration of his wife Florence, telling the story of their marriage. Florence Maybrick was later accused of murdering her husband. Then I wrote The Secrets of Lizzie Borden, about the spinster Sunday school teacher accused of murdering her father and stepmother with a hatchet in Fall River, Massachusetts in 1892.
My final novel for Kensington was Two Empresses which tells the stories of Napoleon's Empress Josephine and her cousin Aimee de Rivery, who was abducted by Pirates and sold into the harem of the Sultan of Turkey.
My latest novel, Ashes on the Wind, tells the story of the 1924 Crime of the Century, but unlike most books about Leopold and Loeb it focuses on their personal relationship rather than the events that made them infamous.
You can see all of my books on my blog http://bybrandypurdy.blogspot.com
Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?
BP: Richard "Dickie" Loeb, so little is actually known about him it was a challenge to create the character in a way that was uniquely in depth, focusing more on his emotions and confusion and frustration about his asexuality and the friction this caused with the highly sexual Nathan Leopold, rather than just his criminal ambitions. Because of his childish nature, which contrasted sharply with his intelligence, and his habit of suddenly changing subjects without warning it was sometimes like writing a character from one of those old screwball comedies from the 1930s. Dickie also surprised me more than any other character I've ever written, there were several times when he seem to dig in his heels and go the opposite way of what I'd planned for him.
Kathy: What are you currently reading?
BP: Lost Cleopatra by Phillip Dye, it's about the most elusive and eagerly sought lost silent film, the 1917 version of Cleopatra starring Theda Bara.
Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?
BP: Reading, watching movies, listening to music, spending time with my cat, coloring, jigsaw puzzles, and word search puzzles.
Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.
BP: Crystal Light Lemonade, Stouffer's Mac and Cheese, caramel Twix candy bars, and sweet iced tea.
Kathy: Do you have plans for future books?
BP: Nothing at the moment. I've been going through some personal difficulties, so I'm taking some time for myself.
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Excerpt:
We were standing beside a big white Panhard-Levassor limousine. Dickie suddenly reached past me and opened the door and stepped up onto the running board.
“Drive me home, Babe?” he asked sweetly. “I don’t really feel like driving.”
“All right,” I agreed, sliding into the driver’s seat. I experienced a frisson of pleasure when my thigh briefly brushed against Dickie’s before he moved over to make room for me. “But, you know,” I added as the engine purred to life, “you really shouldn’t leave the key in the ignition, it’s terribly irresponsible…”
“And temptation is terribly hard to resist!” Dickie licked his lips and draped his arm across the back of the seat behind me. “Don’t you agree, Babe?”
I was thankful for the darkness that hid my blush…and my erection.
“Yes,” I gulped and slowly began inching that gigantic car out of the parking lot. “Gosh, this thing is enormous! It’s like trying to steer the Titanic around the iceberg! I hope I don’t hit anything!”
“I’m not worried about it at all!” Dickie assured me.
My heart swelled with pride. Knowing he had such confidence in me made me even more determined to successfully maneuver that great white whale of an automobile through the Chicago streets and bring it safely home without a dent or a scratch.
When we reached the Loebs’ Elizabethan style red brick mansion on Ellis Avenue I breathed a sigh of relief. I parked on the street outside the gate and sat staring at the most pretentious house in Kenwood. Sprawling across three entire lots, it boasted a private tennis court, greenhouse, gardens, and a goldfish pond. It even dwarfed the mansion of Mr. Loeb’s boss, Julius Rosenwald, the founder of Sears, Roebuck & Company.
“Friends?” Dickie offered me his hand.
“Friends!” I gladly shook it.
His mouth wasn’t that far from mine, but I lacked the courage to lean in and kiss him. There were moments when I was so sure he was flirting with me, but I always hung back and hesitated, afraid I was mistaken.
Dickie just sat there watching me, like he was waiting for me to say or do something. Finally, he took a pack of Dentyne gum from his pocket.
“Gum?” he offered.
“N-No thank you.”
And still he lingered, smacking his cinnamon gum with gusto and staring at me.
“Can I…Can I ask you something? S-Sometimes it seems like…Are you flirting with me?”
“I don’t know, I haven’t thought about it! Why? Would it bother you if I were?”
I decided to give him a taste of his own medicine. “I don’t know, I haven’t thought about it!”
“Well, that’s maddeningly vague!” Dickie popped his gum.
“Yes, yes, it is,” I agreed.
Dickie laughed and opened the car door and climbed out.
I leaned out the window. “Should I leave your car here or…”
“It’s not my car; I don’t know whose it is! Good night, Babe, sweet dreams!” With a smile and a cheery wave Dickie disappeared behind the gate and bounded up the front steps, leaving me too stunned to speak.
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Ashes on the Wind: The Love Story Behind The Crime of the Century by Brandy Purdy
About Ashes on the Wind
Genre: Historical Fiction, True-Crime Inspired
Setting - Chicago, Illinois 1920
Publisher: Independently published (April 15, 2024)
Paperback: 573 pages
Nathan "Babe" Leopold was a socially awkward genius who used arrogance as a shield. He cultivated a philosophy of absolute selfishness cherry-picked from his reading of Nietzsche and indulged himself with vivid sexual fantasies about kings and slaves.
Richard "Dickie" Loeb was the brightest of the bright young things, a social butterfly as fragile as glass inside, hiding his insecurities behind a dazzling smile and a mouthful of lies. He found escape in thrilling tales and fantasies of crime.
They were two brilliant and privileged boys, each harboring secrets it would have been social suicide to reveal in their 1920s world.
When Babe met Dickie, it was like his favorite fantasy had stepped out of his dreams into real life.
When Dickie met Babe, he thought he had found the accomplice who would help make his criminal dreams come true.
Dickie was willing to give Babe what he wanted, if Babe would give him what he wanted. Quid pro quo. Until Dickie wanted something more, leaving Babe desperate and willing to do anything to hold onto his dream. Even if it led down a dark path to the Crime of the Century and infamy as the thrill killers Leopold and Loeb.
About Brandy Purdy
Brandy Purdy is the author of several historical novels including The Ripper's Wife, The Secrets of Lizzie Borden, The Boleyn Wife, and The Tudor Throne.
Blog: http://bybrandypurdy.blogspot.com/
Purchase Link - Amazon
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