Charles Searle is a lifelong historian with a doctorate in social and economic history, and last year, he made his literary debut when he released his first book in his new trilogy – The Hooded Man – in October. The Hooded Man is set in France in 1937, with the main character being Antoine Martinet, and Charles held his own book signing in November at Waterstones in Carlisle for the book release. With The Hooded Man already released in The Dark Years trilogy, Charles has completed the second book, called Crossing the Lines, which is due for publication in September this year, and he is currently writing the final book in the trilogy, Pirate Town, with an aim for a 2027 release date. Catching up with Charles, he answered our questions about his new trilogy series The Dark Years, his debut novel in the series – The Hooded Man – which published last year and being a lifelong historian.
Can you tell us about your new historical thriller book The Hooded Man, which was published in October 2025, and how would you describe the main character Antoine Martinet?
The Hooded Man or Hooded Men refer to an underground right-wing organisation in 1930s France, the Cagoule, who tried to overthrow the Popular Front government just before the outbreak of the Second World War. The book follows the adventures of Antoine Martinet, who is recruited by the French secret service, to go underground within the Cagoule and thwart their plot to overthrow the government.
Antoine Martinet is an anti-hero. I did not want him to be sympathetic to modern-day readers when they first encounter him. He is a patriot, a Catholic, and anti-communist because of his experiences in the trenches in World War 1, when his brother is killed during the army mutinies, which Antoine blames on the communists. The creative tension in the book is how his values and beliefs change when confronted by his experience of colonialism in Indochina and far-right politics in 1930s France.
With the novel set in France in 1937, how was it writing in that era and where did you get the inspiration from for the story?
The climax takes place in 1937, but the story stretches from 1914 through to 1940 – pretty much the interwar years. I have also been fascinated by this period in history, and I have an abiding love of all things French, so I was naturally drawn to that period and place.
In my research for the novel, I came across some books by two American historians, Gayle Brunelle and Annette Finley-Croswhite, who have carried out deep archival research on the secretive Cagoule. It was their work that gave me the hook for the novel.
How did you find the experience writing your debut novel and what did you enjoy most about working on it?
Like many people, I have always believed from a young age that I had a novel in me. And, like many people, I deferred writing it as life took over. When I semi-retired, I sat down and wrote a short story. Then I expanded it. Then I just carried on until I finished.
The enjoyment comes from living in the heads of your characters and devising the plotlines as you go along. It is totally absorbing.
As a lifelong historian with a doctorate in social and economic history, The Hooded Man marks your transition from academic writing to historical fiction; how did you prepare for writing the novel and how long had the book been in the making?
I went with a friend to a half-day workshop on writing historical fiction back in 2009. I still have the characters and plotline from that session to this day. Remarkably, the place and the period from that outline formed the basis for the novel, so I have obviously been thinking about it since then, even if subliminally. I have built up notebooks of my research into the history and culture of France in the interwar years since then, so I have been preparing to write for some time.
How much did the story and the character of Antoine change since you first planned the novel, and was there a part of the storyline you found most challenging to write?
From the outset, I knew the type of character that Antoine was going to be, particularly his beliefs and values, and how his background as a peasant from a conservative Catholic culture would form him. Then I had to design plotlines that would test this background and values. What I wasn’t sure about was how much he would change. But, as he features in a trilogy, I have given myself plenty of space to test this out!
To be honest, the most difficult strand of the novel to write was Antoine’s evolving romantic relationship with the lead female character, Marguerite. The challenge was to make their mutual attraction believable, as they come from such different social backgrounds: she is a minor aristocrat, while he comes from a peasant background.
How was it seeing your completed book for the first time and how did you feel on publication day?
Obviously, I was really thrilled and delighted when the book was published. I’d always wanted to write a novel. Now I have, so it feels like a huge personal accomplishment.
Why would you recommend reading The Hooded Man, and who do you think it will appeal to?
The recommendations come from those who have already read it. They liked the authenticity of the novel’s time and place, which they found very believable, but they also enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot. The book is designed for anyone who loves historical fiction, but also those who enjoy a pacy thriller.
What was it like holding your own book signing at Waterstones in Carlisle in November?
Brilliant. I take my hat off to the staff who run the branch in Carlisle. I am an unknown, first-time novelist, but they were happy to give me a whole morning in the store just before Christmas. It was a delight talking to potential readers about the book. I was surprised by the range of those who bought the book – they had different reading interests, and came in all ages. There is nothing quite like meeting readers to inspire you to go on writing.
The Hooded Man is the first novel in your new trilogy – The Dark Years, what are you looking forward to for continuing the story throughout the next two books?
Well, I have already finished the second volume in the trilogy, called Crossing the Lines. It’s due for publication on 28th September 2026. I am well into writing the third, Pirate Town, which I want to come out in 2027. What I haven’t decided yet – and this is what I am looking forward to – is what will I do with Antoine at the end of the third book.
Where does your love of history and writing come from and how did you get into both?
I had an inspirational teacher at my secondary school who taught me History A-level. We did all the larger-than-life characters in 18th, 19th and 20th century Europe: Napoleon, Peter the Great, Frederick of Prussia and Lenin. That passion for the past has never left me. I have always been a prolific reader, again from a young age, so novelists and historians are heroes for me.
Do you have a writing process and how does fictional writing differ to academic writing?
I think I am a disciplined writer. When I decide to write, I set aside three hours every morning and just sit down and write. I am also structured in the way I approach the research for my novels: I carry it out for a certain period, then stop and start writing. On reflection, those disciplines I inherited from when I was writing my PhD and subsequent academic publications.
What advice would you give someone hoping to publish their first novel?
Don’t delay and don’t procrastinate. Set aside some time to write something every year from the moment you decide that you want to write. It will soon build up.
What are some of your favourite authors and books to read?
I read what I write, so a lot of historical fiction: Robert Harris, Joseph Kanon, Philip Kerr. But if I had to name my favourite all-time writer, it would be Michael Dibdin, who died too young and may be beginning to be forgotten now, which would be a great pity. If you haven’t read his Aurelio Zen novels set in postwar Italy, I would recommend them highly.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I am a big football fan, so I follow my club (Oxford United) around the country. I also love going on battlefield tours. I’ve been to quite a few places that feature in my novels. Treading the same ground as your protagonists helps to stir the imagination.