Defining the Murder Mystery - Something Work Killing For: Author Interview with Kari Bovee

You’ve now published several murder mystery books, but what inspired you to write that first  one? What made you choose an historical time frame for your stories?
I first tried writing a novel back in college—I was an English major—but while the story idea intrigued me, the book didn’t quite hang together. Years later, after the birth of my first child, my husband and I decided I would stay home to focus on her. It was a tough decision, but absolutely the right one. Still, I craved some intellectual stimulation so I decided to try my hand at writing a mystery.

Not long after, I heard about a successful local author who hosted writers' workshops in her home, and I began attending. That first novel was inspired by an idea my father gave me. We always shared a love of history—and of our home state, New Mexico—so the mystery grew out of one of the region’s fascinating cultural practices.

When I finished that project, I was ready for something new—and again, my dad made a suggestion. He had just seen a PBS American Experience program on Annie Oakley and was impressed by her life and talent. He thought I should write a nonfiction biography, but that didn’t quite appeal to me. After watching it myself, I was taken with her, too, and thought: why couldn’t she be an amateur sleuth solving crimes in the Wild West Show? 

That spark became the Annie Oakley Mystery Series. I’ve now written three books and a prequel novella, all inspired by real events in her life, though embellished with fictional crimes and a slightly altered timeline. I’ve always been drawn to the late 1800s. It was a time of discovery and change, especially for women. Annie Oakley herself was a great example—strong, self-made, and an early advocate for women’s empowerment.

After those four books, I was ready for a change of scenery. My second series, The Grace Michelle Mysteries, is set in the 1920s and was inspired by Broadway and Hollywood show business. A friend of mine—actually my horse trainer at the time—told me her mother had once been a starlet in the Ziegfeld Follies. I was immediately intrigued, having loved those old musicals as a kid. As I researched, I stumbled on a scandalous story involving romance, betrayal, and a possible murder—and off I went! That series now includes three novels and a prequel novella as well.

Eventually, I felt the pull of the late 1800s again. The inspiration for my current series, The Pryce of Murder, began with the setting. I grew up in New Mexico, but we had a second home in Durango, Colorado for years, and I’ve always loved the town’s Victorian charm—especially The Strater Hotel, which is said to be haunted. Since my first two series had showbusiness themes, I thought: What if a famous actress had to give up her stage career to run a haunted hotel in a mining town, just to inherit her late husband’s fortune? 

That idea led to a new amateur sleuth and a new adventure. I even stayed at the hotel and did research at the local historical society. I didn’t see any ghosts—but the one I invented ended up being quite helpful to my protagonist, both in solving crimes and in unexpected ways.

 What type of research do you do to recreate this time frame? Have you had any “Aha” moments, surprises in that research? 
Doing the research is one of my favorite parts of the writing process—it’s like slipping back in time. I spend hours combing through old photographs of people and places, diving into the events that shaped the era, and even investigating real-life crimes, especially those that remain unsolved. I look into what foods and drinks were popular, and I often browse Pinterest to get a feel for the fashion and architecture of the time. If I’m including a real historical figure, I immerse myself in their life story. For instance, I have an entire shelf dedicated to books about Annie Oakley and the starlets of the Ziegfeld Follies.

When I was writing the Grace series, I did a deep dive into what it meant to be a fashion designer for stage and film in the 1920s. For the Pryce series, I visited Durango several times and, as I’ve mentioned before, stayed at the Strater Hotel. One delightful surprise came on one of those trips: when we checked in, the front desk informed us our reserved room was unavailable, so they upgraded us—to the Louis L’Amour room. As a Western author, L’Amour had written many of his novels there, and it was a real treat to be researching and writing in the very same space where he once worked.
 

How do you go about plotting your mystery? Do you pick the murderer first or victim? What do you think makes for a perfect murder mystery?
That’s a great question—and honestly, one I haven’t been asked before! While it might not be true for every book, I’d say that most of the time, I start with the victim. Once I know who they are and what kind of life they’ve led, I build out the suspects and explore their possible motivations for wanting that person gone.
For me, that’s where the real fun of writing (and reading) mysteries comes in—digging into the characters. I love uncovering their motivations, talents, flaws, and insecurities. I’ve always been fascinated by psychology and human behavior, so I enjoy figuring out what makes each character “tick,” and how that shapes the choices they make.

As for what makes a perfect murder mystery? I think it’s one where every character has something to hide, but only one has something worth killing for—and the reader is constantly second-guessing themselves until the very end.
 
What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Writing—and especially selling—books can be a brutal endeavor at times. There are moments when I find myself wondering, Should I even be doing this? But then something beautiful happens. I’ll get an email from a reader who says one of my books inspired them, intrigued them, helped them escape a hard moment, or simply made them feel good. Or I’ll bump into someone who’s just finished one of my stories and tells me they thought it was terrific. That kind of feedback is the greatest gift a writer can receive—knowing that something you toiled over truly connected with someone.

I’ve also been fortunate to have my books recognized with several awards. Knowing they were judged anonymously by peers makes it all the more meaningful. It’s a real confidence boost to know your work resonated with other writers and industry professionals.
 

Marketing is the biggest key to getting sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produces more sales rather than just clicks?
For me, the most effective marketing tool—by far—has been my newsletter. Over the past couple of years, I’ve intentionally focused on building my email list, and it’s become the most authentic and rewarding way to connect with readers. I like to step away from the whirlwind of opinions, outrage and noise on social media and speak directly to the people who care about my books.

I send out newsletters twice a week, and in those, I can be fully myself—more real, more vulnerable, more human. It’s not about pushing sales, it’s about creating connection. I want my readers to feel part of something, not like they’re just buying a product. And over time, that connection builds loyalty. They support my work, and I support their reading habit! It becomes a two-way relationship, and that’s the kind of marketing that truly lasts.
 
What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
I wish I’d known to trust my own process . When you’re new to novel writing, it’s easy to get swept up in all the advice out there about what you “should” do. One common suggestion is, “Don’t edit as you write—just get everything down, then fix it later.” But we’re all wired differently, and over time I’ve learned that my process is a little different—and that’s okay.

I’m a writer who needs to get a paragraph or scene as close to “right” as I can before moving on. If I know I’m going to have to go back and change it weeks or months later, it bothers me. Why not get it fixed now? That’s what works for me. It’s taken a while, but I’ve learned to honor that part of my creative rhythm.
Of course, we can—and should—learn from other writers. But the real growth comes when we understand how we work as individuals, and then decide if that advice works for us or not.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve heard—over and over—is that writing and publishing is a marathon, not a sprint. Very little in this industry happens overnight. Success comes from showing up consistently, continuing to grow, and playing the long game.

It’s also about enjoying the process. If we’re not finding some joy in what we’re doing, or if we’re being too hard on ourselves, that strain will show up in the work. Writing is a powerful form of self-expression—a chance to share the rich world of our imagination with others. It shouldn’t feel like a grind. When we give ourselves grace and stay focused on the long view, the journey becomes far more sustainable—and more fulfilling.
 
What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
I’m working on book #6 in the Pryce of Murder series. I’m still working through the story line and I don’t yet have a release date. However, book #5 in the series, The Pryce of Pride was just published in March.

Here is the blurb: Can pride mask a deadly secret?
1886, La Plata Springs, Colorado. As Arabella Pryce nears the end of her year managing the family’s historic hotel, she’s eager to reclaim her glamorous New York life. But when the town’s Cultural and Historic Festival arrives, it brings a host of unexpected visitors—and a storm of controversy.

A provocative historian ignites fierce debate over sacred Indigenous artifacts, while shifting alliances among festival organizers, local activists, and intriguing newcomers keep everyone guessing.
Caught between the lure of a sparkling future and the pull of her newfound community, Arabella finds herself drawn into a mystery that challenges everything she thought she knew. Adding to the intrigue is her relationship with Sheriff Clayton Marshall—a connection as rocky as it is compelling, complicating every step of the investigation. With the help of an unorthodox, ever-present ghostly architect and her steadfast confidante Cordelia, she must navigate a maze of ambition, cultural pride, and danger.

Sounds like an intriguing story. If you'd like to discover more about this novel and her others, here's how to do it...
Let's start with her F-R-E-E eBooks page and newsletter sign up: https://karibovee.com/free-books/
Amazon Links her series:
The Annie Oakley Mystery Series:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JCD5V4Z
The Grace Michelle Mysteries: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088TK3F49
The Pryce of Murder Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1TGJMXJ