I'm pleased to welcome Rose Kerr to Cozy Up With Kathy today Rose writes the Mia Reid, Archaeologist Mystery series. DEATH AT THE SCOTTISH BROCH is the first book in the series.
Kathy: In DEATH AT THE SCOTTISH BROCH we meet Dr. Mia Reid, an archaeologist. I've always been interested in archeology. Has this been an interest of yours even before writing this series?
RK: I’ve been interested in archaeology since I read Agatha Christie’s MURDER IN MESOPOTAMIA. My university studies took me in a different direction, but I still enjoyed hearing about archaeology. A few years ago, I took online courses in archaeology and in antiquity smuggling through Open Learn University. The courses helped me understand archaeology and the work of an archaeologist better. I’ve attended webinars and took more online courses. While taking the courses, I decided I wanted to write about a modern-day archaeologist, who will have to deal with artifact smuggling. It’s been fun learning about this career.
Kathy: This mystery is set on the Isle of Skye. Why choose this location for your series opener?
RK: I wanted the first book to be set outside of North America. Mia and Luke need to reconnect, and this was the way I could bring them together. I choose Scotland because the country has always fascinated me. And the Isle of Skye because it’s an island, atmospheric, and a beautiful part of the world.
Kathy: Mia and her team uncover a treasure with ties to Bonnie Prince Charlie. Were you familiar with this royal prior to writing this book?
RK: Not as much as I am now. My local librarians provided me with excellent reference materials on Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Jacobites, and his role in Scotland’s history. I read six books to gather as much information as I could about this royal and found reputable websites to find more information and photos.
Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?
RK: I enjoy reading a mystery where I can solve the puzzle alongside the amateur sleuth. The supporting cast of characters often brings in many personalities that play off each other, often adding humor to the story. And there’s a satisfying ending when the criminal is brought to justice. I also like that there isn’t any violence on the page.
Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?
RK: No, I’ve tried, but mysteries are the ones I enjoy.
Kathy: Tell us about your series.
RK: Archaeologist, Dr. Mia Reid, loves digging up history. But when murder and smuggling interrupts her work, she turns her instincts and puzzle solving skills to discover who is behind the smuggling and are they the killer.
Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?
RK: Mia is my favorite. She’s a strong, smart, independent woman. Close second, is Mia’s Gran, Marie Tremblay. She’s been a powerful influence on Mia throughout her life.
Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?
RK: I wanted my series to feature a modern-day woman archaeologist. The instructor who taught the classes with Open Learn University was a woman, and she had qualities that Mia has as well.
Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?
RK: At first, I just wanted to write a story. Then I joined a writer’s group, and we supported each other’s efforts. They encouraged me to query agents and, with every rejection (there were lots!), they continued to encourage me to keep trying. They were thrilled for me when I signed with my agent and then when I signed my contract.
Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?
RK: Agatha Christie, Janet Evanovich, Vince Flynn, and Robert B. Parker
Kathy: What are you currently reading?
RK: An ARC of GOATS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN, by Janna Rollins
Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?
RK: I like walking the trails along our waterfront and taking photos, doing Diamond Art painting, reading, and scrapbooking. My husband and I like to explore the area we live in.
Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.
RK: Cheese, pickles, salami, crackers
Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?
RK: I’m contracted for three books for the Mia Reid series. Hopefully there will be more from Mia. And I’m thinking about a new series that I’ll start working on as soon as book two in the Mia Reid series is done.
Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?
RK: I love meeting readers of all genres. And making up characters and locations!
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Review
The First Mia Reid, Archaeologist Mystery
Professor Mia Reid has finished the Spring semester at Lakeview University and is ready to depart for a summer dig on the Isle of Skye. After being cut off while bicycling to work on her last day before leaving and then being called to the dean's office to be told there will only be one professor position offered in the fall Mia is more than ready to join her good friend Ethan in the field. Before she leaves Canada Ethan tells her of a great find he and his students made and warns her to be careful. When she and her student arrive at the dig site in Scotland they find it surrounded by police. Ethan has been killed. Stunned by the death she's also surprised to find another old friend on the site. Luke is now working for the Antiquities and Art Recover Team of Interpol. Could Ethan's death have been caused by a smuggling ring? With an overzealous sponsor, a sneaky dean, and mysterious strangers Mia will have to run the dig and protect the students. Will she also find a treasure and help solve a murder?
I have long been fascinated with archaeology and was delighted to discover a new series featuring an archaeologist. I love how realistic the approach to archaeology was, from the difficulties in academia, the issues with sponsors, and the actual dig itself...not to mention the smugglers. DEATH AT THE SCOTTISH BROCH captured this reality and combined it with an engrossing mystery.
I really like Mia, she's strong, capable, and willing to show her emotions. She's forthright and capable of speaking up for herself. I'm sad that we didn't get to engage with Ethan more, but I enjoyed Mia's reconnection with Luke. I also really like Mia's Gran and hope we get to see more of her in future books.
The first Mia Reid, Archaeologist Mystery provides a bit of suspense and some thrills along with a solid mystery. I appreciate how Mia works with the local police, and, of course, Interpol in the person of Luke. Readers are given lots of clues along with lots of sketchy behavior.
Snippets of history, characters with depth, and a great setting provide DEATH AT THE SCOTTISH BROCH with a solid basis making it a wonderful start to a new series.
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Death at the Scottish Broch: A Mia Reid, Archaeologist, Mystery by Rose Kerr
About Death at the Scottish Broch
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Isle of Skye, Scotland
Publisher: Level Best Books (November 5, 2024)
Paperback: 264 pages
Dr. Mia Reid arrives on the Isle of Skye for a summer dig. She learns her friend and trusted colleague, Dr. Ethan Carter, is dead and valuable artifacts are missing.
Interpol agent and Mia’s former lover, Luke Forbes, is working the case with the police. They suspect murder and a smuggling ring.
Mia and her team uncover a treasure with ties to Bonnie Prince Charlie. Then two students are kidnapped, forcing Mia to trade the treasure for their release. During the rescue, she finds a collection of missing artifacts.
Are the smugglers and kidnappers the same people?
Can she dig up the truth before someone else dies?
About Rose Kerr
Rose Kerr writes cozy mysteries featuring strong, smart, women protagonists who must draw on their wits and resourcefulness to solve the crime.
Rose was born in a small community in Nova Scotia and has traveled across Canada.
More recently, Rose and her husband have moved to Southern Ontario. When she isn’t writing, Rose and her husband enjoy exploring the new region.
You can find Rose at her website https://rosekerr.com/
She’s active on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest) as well.
Author Links:
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/RoseKerrAuthor
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/r.m.kerr/?hl=en
PINTEREST: https://ca.pinterest.com/RoseKerrauthor
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22146877.Rose_Kerr
Purchase Links: Amazon US - Amazon Canada - Barnes and Noble - Kobo
