Peggy Wirgau loves true stories from the past and writes through the eyes of history’s unsung heroines. Her first novel, The Stars in April, is based on the true story of a twelve-year-old Titanic survivor. The book is the recipient of several awards and honors. Her newest novel, To Outwit Them All, is inspired by the true story of the only female member of George Washington’s spy ring during the American Revolution.
Peggy and her husband are Michigan natives and lived in Washington, Virginia, and Florida before moving to Colorado in 2023. She is an active member of Historical Novel Society, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Colorado Authors League. She loves to travel and explore historical sites with her family.
Visit Peggy Wirgau online
To Outwit Them All
Inspired by the true story of the Culper Ring’s Agent 355, “the lady who will outwit them all.” Betty Floyd is the niece of William Floyd, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Forced to flee her Long Island farm for New York City, Betty keeps her Patriot ties a secret until a murder at the British prison drives her to join General Washington’s covert spy group, the Culper Ring. Gaining the trust of enemy officers at New York’s finest balls and soirees, Betty catches the eye of Britain’s Director of Intelligence, the charming Major John André. But the slightest misstep could expose her and the entire Ring. Amid heightening collision between duty to her country and deepening feelings for the Major, Betty attempts to uncover a plot led by Benedict Arnold, leading her to the very brink of death
- ISBN: 1563097907
- Publisher: Iron Stream Media
Interview with Peggy Wirgau
Congratulations, Peggy, on your October release of To Outwit Them All. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I’m excited to talk with you about it!
You have a passion for bringing the stories of real, unsung women to life. What first sparked your interest in telling these kinds of stories?
I’ve always loved true stories from the past, especially those concerning individuals who were leading ordinary lives and rose to do the extraordinary, despite their fears. History is full of them. Yet many women’s stories have often been left untold.
I believe it’s important to uncover and understand the incredible role women have always played in history, whether their names are known to us or we’ve never heard of them before. And in some cases, as in To Outwit Them All, their true names may never be known, yet their stories still matter.
To Outwit Them All is based on the true story of the only female member of George Washington’s Culper Ring. How did you discover her story, and what made you decide it was the one you needed to tell next?
The idea for the novel began when I was looking through a list of important women in American history. One name stood out, or rather, a number—355. With her name still unknown to this day, I wanted to know more, so I studied all I could find about the Culper Ring and this elusive lady.
Many have tried to guess her identity, and I was drawn to one theory in particular—that she may have been the niece of William Floyd, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and also a distant cousin to Robert Townsend, the Culper Ring’s chief spy in New York City. The theory made sense, based on an actual letter written in 1778, stating that a certain lady in New York would “outwit them all.” It didn’t take long for her story to come alive in my mind, and I knew I had to write it.
What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in writing this book, and one of the greatest joys?
I think the biggest challenge throughout was the need for thorough research so I could immerse the reader in the time period—Revolutionary New York City during the British occupation. And now, one of the greatest joys is hearing from readers who say they loved the book, felt like they were there, and couldn’t put it down. That makes all the time and effort spent in keeping the tension high and getting the details right so worthwhile.
You’ve written previously about the Titanic and now about the American Revolution. What similarities do you see between the women you write about across these very different historical settings?
Although the main characters’ ages, backgrounds, and situations are very different in The Stars In April and To Outwit Them All, they are both somewhat ordinary young ladies faced with some uniquely frightening experiences. They manage to rise above their fears in the choices they make, growing and changing in the process. And rather than fictional characters, they both were real people.
Was there a moment during the writing process when this story surprised you or took an unexpected turn?
One surprise was a snag in the plot toward the end. Something big needed to happen but I didn’t know how to execute it. The closer I approached the end, the less I knew. I read and re-read the entire manuscript, trying to figure it out. I began second-guessing the whole thing. Then—ta da! One of the characters showed me the answer, based on something innocuous he’d mentioned doing in the beginning. I won’t give it away, but let’s just say that helped me add the right twist and for everything to come together.
What do you hope readers will take away after finishing To Outwit Them All?
With America’s 250th birthday next year, it’s my hope that readers will enjoy this suspenseful story that took place during one of the most exciting and dangerous times in American history, gain an understanding of the role the Culper Ring played in the fight for independence, and appreciate the bravery of one young female spy—one who never wished her true name to be known.
What advice or encouragement would you offer aspiring writers who feel called to write historical fiction?
Read plenty of great, award-winning historical fiction by seasoned authors. Take classes and attend writing conferences to learn what works. Take time with the research into what was happening at the time and how people lived. (You should love research and rabbit holes if you want to write historical fiction.) Then write the very best book you can and don’t rush! Get solid feedback from experienced writers and keep improving your story.
What’s next for you? Can we expect more stories in this same world or something entirely new?
I know I’ll stick with real women in American history. I do love the Revolutionary period and I’m looking into the lives of some fascinating women of that time. But Ruth in The Stars In April and Betty in To Outwit Them All seemed to find me when I wasn’t actively thinking about writing anything. So I imagine I’ll soon come across someone’s name or story, and she’ll whisper, “Let me tell you what really happened….”
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
At the age of thirteen, Kimberly Keagan discovered romance novels. Whenever possible, she ignored her chores in favor of a book she couldn't put down. In time, she earned a degree in accounting and enjoyed a brief career in investor relations, writing financial reports and press releases—terrific jobs, but not very romantic. By God's grace, she married her own handsome hero and raised two wonderful children, whom they homeschooled. Now, she is following her long-held dream of penning historical romance. Her debut novel releases in 2025.
You have a passion for bringing the stories of real, unsung women to life. What first sparked your interest in telling these kinds of stories?
I’ve always loved true stories from the past, especially those concerning individuals who were leading ordinary lives and rose to do the extraordinary, despite their fears. History is full of them. Yet many women’s stories have often been left untold.
I believe it’s important to uncover and understand the incredible role women have always played in history, whether their names are known to us or we’ve never heard of them before. And in some cases, as in To Outwit Them All, their true names may never be known, yet their stories still matter.
To Outwit Them All is based on the true story of the only female member of George Washington’s Culper Ring. How did you discover her story, and what made you decide it was the one you needed to tell next?
The idea for the novel began when I was looking through a list of important women in American history. One name stood out, or rather, a number—355. With her name still unknown to this day, I wanted to know more, so I studied all I could find about the Culper Ring and this elusive lady.
Many have tried to guess her identity, and I was drawn to one theory in particular—that she may have been the niece of William Floyd, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and also a distant cousin to Robert Townsend, the Culper Ring’s chief spy in New York City. The theory made sense, based on an actual letter written in 1778, stating that a certain lady in New York would “outwit them all.” It didn’t take long for her story to come alive in my mind, and I knew I had to write it.
What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in writing this book, and one of the greatest joys?
I think the biggest challenge throughout was the need for thorough research so I could immerse the reader in the time period—Revolutionary New York City during the British occupation. And now, one of the greatest joys is hearing from readers who say they loved the book, felt like they were there, and couldn’t put it down. That makes all the time and effort spent in keeping the tension high and getting the details right so worthwhile.
You’ve written previously about the Titanic and now about the American Revolution. What similarities do you see between the women you write about across these very different historical settings?
Although the main characters’ ages, backgrounds, and situations are very different in The Stars In April and To Outwit Them All, they are both somewhat ordinary young ladies faced with some uniquely frightening experiences. They manage to rise above their fears in the choices they make, growing and changing in the process. And rather than fictional characters, they both were real people.
Was there a moment during the writing process when this story surprised you or took an unexpected turn?
One surprise was a snag in the plot toward the end. Something big needed to happen but I didn’t know how to execute it. The closer I approached the end, the less I knew. I read and re-read the entire manuscript, trying to figure it out. I began second-guessing the whole thing. Then—ta da! One of the characters showed me the answer, based on something innocuous he’d mentioned doing in the beginning. I won’t give it away, but let’s just say that helped me add the right twist and for everything to come together.
What do you hope readers will take away after finishing To Outwit Them All?
With America’s 250th birthday next year, it’s my hope that readers will enjoy this suspenseful story that took place during one of the most exciting and dangerous times in American history, gain an understanding of the role the Culper Ring played in the fight for independence, and appreciate the bravery of one young female spy—one who never wished her true name to be known.
What advice or encouragement would you offer aspiring writers who feel called to write historical fiction?
Read plenty of great, award-winning historical fiction by seasoned authors. Take classes and attend writing conferences to learn what works. Take time with the research into what was happening at the time and how people lived. (You should love research and rabbit holes if you want to write historical fiction.) Then write the very best book you can and don’t rush! Get solid feedback from experienced writers and keep improving your story.
What’s next for you? Can we expect more stories in this same world or something entirely new?
I know I’ll stick with real women in American history. I do love the Revolutionary period and I’m looking into the lives of some fascinating women of that time. But Ruth in The Stars In April and Betty in To Outwit Them All seemed to find me when I wasn’t actively thinking about writing anything. So I imagine I’ll soon come across someone’s name or story, and she’ll whisper, “Let me tell you what really happened….”
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
At the age of thirteen, Kimberly Keagan discovered romance novels. Whenever possible, she ignored her chores in favor of a book she couldn't put down. In time, she earned a degree in accounting and enjoyed a brief career in investor relations, writing financial reports and press releases—terrific jobs, but not very romantic. By God's grace, she married her own handsome hero and raised two wonderful children, whom they homeschooled. Now, she is following her long-held dream of penning historical romance. Her debut novel releases in 2025.
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