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Bestselling Author Kelly Oliver Has Delivered Readers Another Epic Read

Jacob Maslow 565 Views
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Kelly Oliver’s new book Betrayal at Ravenswick A Fiona Figg Mystery is no doubt destined for the bestseller list. Kelly Oliver delivers readers a tantalizing and riveting mystery that few can match. Oliver has a long history of creating one of a kind characters, and this is very much in play with Fiona Figg, the books protagonist. Fiona, a newbie spy during World War 1, goes undercover to save the day, and takes readers into a world that is loaded with intrigue, along with a handsome soldier, and yes, a shady stranger. This book also delivers readers a good dose of humor while keeping the heartbreaking reality of war in the mix. This is one epic read, and we were really delighted when Oliver agreed to give us the inside scoop on this book and her work.

Sometimes the backstories for books are extremely compelling. What inspired you to write Betrayal at Ravenswick A Fiona Figg Mystery?

I watch all the BBC mysteries and adore them. So, writing something set in London appealed to me. And, I absolutely love historical mysteries. They’re my favorite. Betrayal at Ravenswick actually started out as an homage to Agatha Christie and then morphed into a historical mystery with a pinch of espionage and a dash of women’s fiction.

When you read this book what part do you love the most, and why?

I love the character of Fiona Figg. She’s so much fun to write. And her relationship with Clifford Douglas is hilarious. She gives poor Clifford such a bad time. He’s such a lovable sap.

What writers do you look up to most, either for their writing or as human beings.

Some of my favorite authors are Isabel Allende, Julia Alvarez, and Rosario Ferré. I love books by and about strong women. I’ve read all of their work.

My two recent favorite novels are Pachinko by  Min Jin Lee and The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey. Pachinko is breathtaking and simply one of the best novels I’ve ever read. And The Widows of Malabar is an excellent historical mystery.

Did real-world people influence your characters, and if so do you feel a debt to them?

I did a lot of historical research for Betrayal at Ravenswick, so there are several characters based on real historical figures. For example, the men in Room 40, British Intelligence and code breakers in WWI, are based on real characters. The mysterious huntsman is also based on a real spy who actually used the alias Fredrick Fredricks (the name of the character). I found so many fun tidbits doing research for the book. The reader will find nuggets of history throughout the novel.

I know you just finished this book, but I’m sure your fans are wondering, so I have to ask – what’s next?

I’m working on the second Fiona Figg Mystery now. It’s called High Treason at the Grand Hotel and takes Fiona to Paris, where she continues to track the notorious huntsman. Like the first Fiona Figg Mystery, this one features several characters based on real-life historical figures. I’ve discovered that I really dig historical research. As someone who was allergic to history classes in college, I’m surprised at how much I love using it in my fiction.

You can find more information about Betrayal at Ravenswick A Fiona Figg Mystery on Amazon.