The following is an interview with author Kate Khavari regarding the release of her historical mystery novel, A Botanist’s Guide to Tradition and Treachery, with Crooked Lane Books. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Khavari about her creative process in bringing the story to life on the page, the themes that she hopes may resonate with readers and the conversations that they might inspire, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the release of A Botanist’s Guide to Tradition and Treachery! As the latest installment in the Saffron Everleigh series, where will readers find Saffron in her journey?
Kate Khavari: Thank you very much. This book holds a special place in my heart and it feels so good to have it out in the world. Botanist Saffron Everleigh has foiled murderers, anarchists, and meddlesome family members, and even managed to fall in love and get engaged, too! But this latest adventure sends her overseas on her first academic expedition to Smyrna, Turkey, where she and fiancé Alexander will explore ancient ruins, conduct experiments, and maybe find a moment for romance. She quickly finds herself just as unwelcome on the expedition as she’s been at her university, and faces escalating sabotage attempts, culminating in the sudden death of her research assistant. When accusations of murder start rumbling among the crew, Saffron—the resident poisons expert—is blamed. She and Alexander have to prove her innocence using their usual unconventional means, and an unexpected familiar face pops up to help. It’s the perfect summer read! Rompy, mysterious, and a little steamy.
BD: In returning to the world and characters of the series, did you find that it was easy to reconnect with and give voice to the characters?
KK: Absolutely. Writing Saffron feels like going home! I’m always writing multiple projects, including the Saffron Everleigh Mysteries, and so whenever it’s time to come back to Saffron, Alexander, and the rest of the gang, it’s so easy. This is book five, and I started writing the series in 2018, so these (imaginary) people are close friends now.
BD: How would you describe your creative process in crafting this mystery? It’s always thrilling to follow your stories as the reader, but I would imagine that crafting the narrative and staying 3 steps ahead of your reader is quite the challenge!
KK: I’ve always said I’m not smart enough to write mysteries, and now I’ve got two kids pulling on my attention and a thousand things on my mind, it feels doubly true! But I’ve got the process down pat at this point. I start with brainstorming and research—these processes are intertwined, because the mystery always relies on science to some degree. I have to learn the science to make it work in the mystery, and I love to integrate as much history about the time period and location as possible. That takes about three weeks and then I start drafting. This book took four months. The first draft is always the hardest; I’m telling myself the story, but I also only know the outline of the story. The characters inform me during drafting. Because I know Saffron and Alexander so well, the story will go off the rails if I try to write something not true to their personalities and histories. Editing usually feels like shaving off bits and pieces of clay from a statue to perfect it; with this book, it felt more like I ripped apart great swaths of the story. It was scary, but the book is much better for it. Creativity is as much about generating ideas as it is culling the ones that serve the story and characters the least.
BD: What makes Crooked Lane Books the perfect home for this series?
KK: They give me the freedom and encouragement to tell exactly the story I want!
BD: The Saffron Everleigh series has been an incredible success with critics and fans alike. What can you tell us about your experience in seeing how much the story resonates with readers?
KK: It’s been incredible to meet readers online and especially in person. It’s the best feeling when people say they love my books or characters—not just because, yay, they bought my book and I want to be successful, but because I want to do for people what other authors have done for me. Authors like Ilona Andrews, India Holton, and Loretta Chase made me feel less alone in hard times. Their stories were a raft I held onto in the lowest moments of my life and continue to return to again and again. I write fun little murder mysteries, not big sweeping, heart-rending books about serious matters, but I know the impact seeing a character like yourself on the page can have. I hope people see themselves in Saffron’s curiosity, zeal for justice and knowledge, and optimism. I hope for them to relate to Alexander’s anxiety and bravery, and Elizabeth’s loyalty and passion. There are many books these days, and I feel so honored to be on people’s shelves.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
KK: All of the Saffron Everleigh Mysteries are fun, smart reads, but I had the most fun writing A Botanist’s Guide to Society and Secrets. It’s the third in the series. It has the best combination of Saffron sleuthing and doing science while having the worst time navigating her relationships. Maybe I shouldn’t be so gleeful about it! But that book brought together so many people from her past–and future–and forced her to make hard decisions about who she wanted to be, and who she wanted to be with. It also has one of weirdest historical tidbits I’ve ever written in the chapter set at a secret casino. Intrigued yet?
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about A Botanist’s Guide to Tradition and Treachery and your other work?
KK: I’m very present online on Instagram (@authorkkhavari) and my newsletter comes out every month with updates, giveaways, author interviews, deleted scenes, and book recommendations. If you live in North Texas, check out my tour schedule to see if I’ll be nearby this summer!
