I enjoy learning about different subjects, and several years ago, I took some online courses through Open University about archaeology and antiquity/artifact smuggling. The speaker was an archaeologist and her lectures on archaeology were interesting and informative. Then she spoke about the problems around the world with artifact smuggling. The two topics were riveting to me. A spark of an idea grew.
Could my amateur sleuth be an archaeologist? Would that work? Most amateur sleuths I’d read about were librarians, bakers, bookstore owners. Would my archaeologist fit in?
I’m not an archaeologist, but I took advantage of online courses on archaeology. I attended webinars, spoke with archaeologists to get a better understanding of that career, read journals and textbooks. I learned archaeologists are smart, independent, curious, and physically fit people who study the past and learn how people lived. They could work in an urban center, or in a remote location. Archaeologists also work for companies, government departments, universities.Those traits would work well with an amateur sleuth.
Right. I could make this work.
I had my sleuth’s career, but how would I tie this with a present-day mystery?
Artifact smuggling was and still is a global concern. Could I tie my sleuth, the mystery, and the artifact smuggling together? I spoke with my agent and told her what I had planned. She encouraged me to write the book. Her words of encouragement, “I’d love to read this”, kept me going when I had my doubts.
Dr. Mia Reid, an archaeologist, is a 38-year-old Canadian woman. She’s lived with and studied archaeology all her life. Her parents are archaeologists. When she was a year old, she accompanied her parents on a dig in France. There are photos in her baby book of the au pair and Mia digging alongside her parents. Mia accompanied her parents around the globe until it was time for her to go to school. Then, she lived with her maternal grandparents in Lakeview City. They ensured she attended school and had a relatively normal childhood during the school year. Her parents returned to Lakeview every three months and would work in the area or take some much-needed time off. Her mother was a well-known lecturer, and her father consulted on various projects. During summer breaks, Mia would join her parents at their dig.
After high school, there was no question what Mia would study. She made her way through her undergrad degree and then continued to her master’s degree, followed by her doctorate.
She met Ethan Carter while studying for her undergrad degree. They were close friends throughout school, and Mia introduced Ethan to her roommate, Shelly. Shelly and Ethan married. Mia met Luke Forbes during their graduate studies, and they were quite serious about each other.
Mia has worked in the field and has held positions with companies, organizations, and schools as an archaeologist. This summer’s dig with Ethan is on the Isle of Skye. They’re working with a broch (a circular stone structure found only in Scotland) that’s reputed to have provided shelter to Bonnie Prince Charlie. Before Mia leaves to join Ethan, he sends her an email telling her he’s found treasure and he believes he’s being followed.
I’ve enjoyed getting to know my character, Mia, as an archaeologist, a sleuth, and as a smart, strong woman. And yes, archaeologists make excellent sleuths.
Dr. Mia Reid arrives on the Isle of Skye for a summer dig. She learns her friend, Dr. Ethan Carter, is dead and valuable artifacts missing. Luke Forbes, her former lover, is now an Interpol agent working on the case with the police. They suspect Ethan was involved in an antiquities smuggling ring. Mia and her team uncover a treasure with possible ties to Bonnie Prince Charlie. Then two students are kidnapped, forcing Mia to trade the treasure for their release. During the rescue, she discovers a collection of missing artifacts and informs Luke, hoping to clear Ethan’s name. Mia must navigate the dangerous world of smuggling, solve Ethan’s death, and come to terms with her feelings for Luke. Can she uncover the truth before the island’s secrets claim another victim?
Rose’s website is here: https://rosekerr.com/
Buy Links for Death at the Scottish Broch:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Wpg4P4
Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/3DjeUOp
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3DYrm6e
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, grew up speaking both French and English, and has traveled across Canada. She’s worked in figure skating, non-profit organizations for women, and distance education. More recently, Rose and her husband have retired to Southern Ontario. When she isn’t writing, Rose and her husband enjoy exploring the new region.
Rose’s Social Media Sites:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoseKerrAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.m.kerr/?hl=en
Pinterest: https://ca.pinterest.com/RoseKerrauthor/
Susan, thank you for hosting me!
You’re so welcome, Rose.
Susan
Congratulations, Rose. It sounds like an intriguing book. I look forward to reading it. Any plans to have an audiobook version of it?
HI Grace! Thank you for your kind words. My publisher has plans to have an audiobook done sometime this year.
Rose