NK Chats To… Thomas Messel

Published October 5, 2026 | By Laura

Hello Thomas. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell us about your book, The Nightingale of Bath and what inspired it?

The plaque at Bath’s 11 Royal Crescent blandly says that from this house, Elizabeth Linley eloped with Richard Brinsley Sheridan on 18 March 1772 – but behind those words lies a much darker story.

Elizabeth was a stunningly beautiful teenager with a fabulous voice, ill-equipped for the adulation of stardom.

She was mercilessly exploited by her ambitious parents and prey to predatory men until she could stand it no longer and vanished, at the age of 17, on 18 March 1772. Her marriage to Sheridan proved to be no picnic, where her collaboration and authorship of two of his most celebrated plays, The Rivals and La Duenna, was given no credit, nor was any notice given to her involvement in his greatest Parliamentary coupin the impeachment of Warren Hastings.

Her passionate and loving nature was only fully recognised through tragedy.

The theme that strikes me strongly about her life was the shocking muzzling and disempowerment of women in this period, however strong and capable they were.

Her story, and that of her remarkable family, first came to my attention through an ancestral connection, through which I had several books recording her life.

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals like needing
coffee or silence to write, for example?

Throughout my life, I have been an early riser in order to work undisturbed. So, for the writing of this book, my writing times would generally run from 4 am to 8.30 am, with a cup of hot chocolate to kick me off for sustenance.

How do you approach the writing process from idea, to research, first draft, editing
and final draft? How do you know when you’ve done research and editing?

Originally, I had hoped to write this book as a biography, as I felt more at ease in the world of non-fiction, the genre in which I have previously written. However, as I researched more into the subject, there were so many undocumented parts to Elizabeth Linley’s life that were crucial to the eventual flow of events, which meant the only way to cover the subject would be to link them through a historical novel.

My research was profound, covering several years and volumes of work, reading into primary and secondary source material, including original paintings, letters and documents.

The research never really ended, as I picked up more during the writing phase and even now, a year after publication, through giving talks and lectures, more information comes to light.

Editing could have gone on forever, a stage in which I was helped by engaging a structural editor, Alpha and Beta Readers and a professional script editor. I also engaged a ‘fact-checker’ editor and still can see faults in my book, which I would have liked to have spotted, but had to draw the line and press the publication button.

What’s your favourite word and why?

I love saving endangered species, so ‘fubsy’ is my pet word. It means what it sounds like!

What were the challenges you faced when writing historical fiction?

Dialogue was my first hurdle. The writing and language of the late 18th century can seem remote, stiff and obscure, so I tried to make these passages understandable to a modern reader, but I also tried to incorporate phrases or expressions that sound appropriate to the period.

Which fictional character would you like to meet and why?

Becky Sharp, Thackeray’s manipulative anti-hero of Vanity Fair, would have been an utterly detestable character, although in many ways she was alluring and fascinating. It is also a colourful period of British history.

In your opinion, what are the most important things you need to be a writer?

Patience is most important, and being prepared to check and edit one’s work over and over again, until satisfied that it is as good as possible. I lost count of the number of my edits, but I guess it must have been in the region of 15.

Ruthlessness is another characteristic that comes in handy. This is needed as probably 60% of one’s well-crafted and meticulously researched treasured script will need to go. This is not a bad thing, as it can always find its way into a future work.

Which authors do you admire and why?

Robert Harris’s writing never fails to engage me. His plots keep me hooked while his depth of research is masterly and highly informative. His books to me are like a packet of “Pringles”; once you start, you can’t stop!

I also love Daphne Du Maurier’s books, not only for their intriguing plots but also for the unforgettable beauty of her writing.

What is the best piece of writing advice have you ever received?

To feel the emotion of my protagonists. In this, I have tried, but am not sure if I have entirely succeeded. To me, this was a particular challenge, as I am a man, covering the life of a young lady who was facing challenges beyond my experience.

Do you have any other advice for aspiring writers?

My first piece of advice is not to be frightened or hesitant. Once you have written your first word, the project is launched and under sail.

Would You Rather –

Have the ability to see into the future or be able to visit the past?

Visit the past.

Move things with your mind or read minds?

Read minds.

Have magical powers here on earth or live in a magical place without powers?

Have magical powers on earth.

Would you rather have the ability to communicate telepathically or know every single language on the planet?

Communicate telepathically.

Be able to have a one-minute conversation with your past self or future self?

Have a word with my past life.

Live in a world without music or movies?

Live with music.

Take part in a dating show or a survival show?

Neither, but if obliged to choose, it would be a survival show.

About Thomas Messel –

Thomas Messel, the author of this book, is better known as one of Britain’s most respected furniture designers, in which field he has worked for 40 years, and built up a celebrated reputation both in the UK and the USA.

In 2011, he co-wrote and edited the study of the work of his uncle, “Oliver Messel, in the Theatre of Design”, for which he won the Speares Book Award, in 2012.

The Nightingale of Bath was published in October 2025, since which time Thomas has given several concerts and talks on the life of Elizabeth Linley, the last one being at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute in September 2026. For more details on the Institute, click here.

Connect with Thomas via Instagram.

About The Nightingale of Bath –

‘It gives me great discomfort to tell you that realistically you must not stay here in Bath. You must vanish.’

Bath 1772

Elizabeth Linley, wildly famous, celebrated for her voice, charisma and beauty, painted by Gainsborough and Reynolds the most eminent artists of her day.

Events on the 18th March 1772, leave her no option but to weave herself through the intricate world of society dominated by The Prince of Wales and the scandalous Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, the precarious nature of Garrick and Sheridan’s London theatre and the perils of political intrigue, manipulated by the rivalry between Charles James Fox and William Pitt.

Set in an age of revolution, this is a captivating story of love, ambition, jealousy and betrayal, based upon the true life of Elizabeth Linley.

Click to buy The Nightingale of Bath on Amazon UK and Amazon US.