Special Guest – Kelly Oliver – Author of The Case of the Christie Curse: (A Detection Club Mystery) #AuthorInterview #Giveaway #GreatEscapesBookTour @kellyoliverauthor

The Case of the Christie Curse: (A Detection Club Mystery)
by Kelly Oliver

I am delighted to welcome Kelly Oliver to Escape With Dollycas!

Hi Kelly,

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m Kelly Oliver, author of four mystery series: The Jessica James Mysteries (suspense), The Fiona Figg Mysteries (historical cozy), The Detection Club Mysteries (traditional), and The Pet Detective Mysteries (middle grade). I started writing mysteries about ten years ago and then, about five years ago, retired from my teaching job at Vanderbilt University, where I was a professor of philosophy, to write mysteries full-time. I live in Nashville with three demanding felines and my slightly less feline spouse.

What are three things most people don’t know about you?

I grew up in Montana, Idaho, and Washington states, eating wild game shot by my dad. Could that be why I became a vegetarian for many years? One grandfather was a forest ranger committed to saving the trees, and the other was a logger committed to cutting them down. I got my PhD in philosophy at Northwestern University, where I was one of the only women in the program—which reminds me, I never had a single woman professor in college or graduate school. That last fact is directly related to my first mystery novel.

What books/authors have most inspired you?

Several philosophers and thinkers have inspired me, most especially Nietzsche, Freud, and various feminist philosophers, too many to name.

I was inspired to write a novel after listening to Barbara Rosenblatt narrate Elizabeth Peters’s Amelia Peabody series. That series got me through some tough times.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

I like to read newspapers from the time-period, sometimes just to look at advertisements. I love old Baedecker’s guidebooks. They contain so much great information and they’re fun to hold in your hands. I read biographies and autobiographies of figures from the time-period. And, of course, I google a lot of stuff. When I can, I travel to the location (although I can only travel back in time in my imagination).

Usually, I’ll spend a few weeks doing research before starting a book. Then I will continue with research while writing, too.

Do you ever suffer from Writer’s Block?

Some days I’m more inspired than others. And some days, chronic migraines keep me from doing much. But I have SO MANY ideas that I never really get writer’s block. I will say, though, that writing The Case of the Christie Curse was going super slowly until I introduced a new character. Then the novel really took off.

What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?

Write every day, even if it is for ten or fifteen minutes. Don’t be afraid to send your stuff out. But hire an editor first, if you can.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

I like to do yoga, swim, walk, hike, and x-country ski. Although usually, you’ll find me sitting at my computer writing! I like to watch movies. And I like exploring new places.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

I’ve written a couple of books set in Egypt, but that is someplace I’ve never been. All my research has made me want to go to Cairo sometime if I get the chance.

What is next on the horizon for you?

Some exciting news: The Fiona Figg Mysteries have been optioned for a Hollywood Film or TV series. So, I’m working with the screenwriter now. Then, she will pitch her screenplay to producers. Huge fingers crossed for that! And I’m currently writing The Detection Club Mystery book five. Book four takes place in Scotland for Agatha Christie’s secret wedding and is already in production. The one I’m working on now is set on the Nile at the tail end of Agatha’s honeymoon with Max Mallowan. I expect there will be a book six since I have a six-book contract. Where should I set it?

Congratulations on the series option! Thank you for visiting today!

Keep reading for more info about Kelly and The Case of the Christie Curse.

About The Case of the Christie Curse

The Case of the Christie Curse: (A Detection Club Mystery)
Historical Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting –  Mesopotamia
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 21, 2026
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Boldwood Books
Digital
Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
Hardcover
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1836175647
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1836175643
Paperback
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1836175655
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1836175650
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1836175681
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F4W1D5Z6
Audiobook
ASIN B0GHPDK5QH

Mesopotamia, 1930: When Agatha Christie invites fellow members of the Detection Club to witness the famous excavations at the ruins of Ur, Dorothy L. Sayers, her quick-witted assistant Eliza Baker, and Theo Sharp expect ancient wonders – not fresh corpses.

But when an archaeologist is found dead in the sand, whispers of a deadly curse sweep through the camp. Eliza suspects something far more dangerous than superstition. Amid glittering artifacts and fragile alliances, every guest harbors secrets: the Woolleys, whose marriage is shadowed by tragedy; a journalist hungry for scandal; even academic Max Mallowan, whose loyalties are not what they seem.

As theft, forgery, and coded messages surface, the line between archaeology and espionage blurs. And when Eliza and Theo find themselves in danger, they must face not only the truth about the murder – but also the truths they’ve long denied about each other. Can they uncover the killer before the desert claims another victim? Or will this dig unearth secrets too dangerous to survive?

Great Escapes Praise for The Case of the Christie Curse: (A Detection Club Mystery)
by Kelly Oliver

THE CASE OF THE CHRISTIE CURSE is an engaging historical mystery that provides romantic quandaries amidst an intriguing puzzle.
~Cozy Up With Kathy

5-STARS
If you love a solid mystery with plenty of intrigue, humor, and action, The Case of the Christie Curse has all this and more!
~Novels Alive

More About Kelly Oliver 

Kelly Oliver is the award-winning and bestselling author of four mystery series: The Jessica James Mysteries, The Pet Detective Mysteries, The Fiona Figg Mysteries, and The Detection Club Mysteries.

Kelly is the Past President of Sisters in Crime National, current Education Coordinator for SinC Guppies, and a Distinguished Emerita Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University.

To learn more about Kelly and her books, go to kellyoliverbooks.com. 

Author Links
BookBub    Amazon Author Page    INSTAGRAM     Facebook     Pinterest Kelly Oliver Books  

Purchase Links:

TOUR PARTICIPANTS – Please visit all the stops.
February 18 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
February 18 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW 
February 19 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
February 19 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
February 20 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
February 20 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
February 21 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
February 22 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 23 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
February 24 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
February 25 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 25 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
February 26 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
February 26 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
February 27 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
February 28 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 1 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
March 2 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
March 3 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Want to Book a Tour?
Click Here

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas.