Off the Page with Dr. Mia Reid

Greetings, Noters!

I’m back with an all-new blog series that I’m excited to share with you. For a few months now, The Wren (aka Winnie Lark from my Book Blogger Mysteries) has taken over posting duties for me on the Writers Who Kill blog with her famous “Off the Page” feature. Due to popular demand from the cozy mystery community and all the fabulous characters that are out there in the world, I’m also introducing “Off the Page” to my lovely readers here on Noteworthy. I hope you enjoy meeting these characters as much as The Wren and I did!

In my writing world news, Eternal Empire, the final book in the Court of Mystery series, is here! I cannot believe my time with Duchess Jacqueline has come to a close. It’s been such an overwhelming experience, to be honest. I’m both sad and happy at the same time—writing is so weird! I can’t wait to hear what you think about Duchess Jax’s last adventure. I hope you’ll share your thoughts with me and other readers.

Eternal Empire is currently available on eBook and paperback at your favorite bookish retailer. The audiobook will be coming in Spring 2025, which will be here before we know it.

With the holidays right around the corner, I’m wishing you and your families a season filled with peace, hope, and joy.

Arms around,

Sarah

A Note from Sarah: I’m handing the blogging reins to Winnie Lark, the main character in my Book Blogger Mysteries. Winnie runs a popular bookish website called What Spine is Yours (think Metacritic for the literary world). However, she manages it anonymously, and the online community only knows her as “The Wren.” She often interviews guest authors through their characters, and that’s the focus of today’s feature. Enjoy!

Greetings, bookish friends! The Wren, here. In today’s “Off the Page” feature, I’m sitting down with a renowned academic, Dr. Mia Reid. Dr. Mia is the protagonist of a brand new cozy mystery series, which debuted its first novel, Death at the Scottish Broch, earlier this month. I’m so thrilled to sit down with an archaeologist (for more reasons than one), so let’s get Dr. Mia off the page!

Mia, your career in archaeology sounds fascinating. What made you want to pursue this career?

Hi Wren, thanks so much for inviting me to chat with you today. I love talking to people about archaeology.

My parents are both archaeologists. When I was born, they decided to be slightly unconventional and take me with them on their digs. I traveled around the world before I was eight. 

Our home base was Lakeview City, one of Canada’s largest cities. Between digs, Dad would work at the university and Mom at the City Museum. When it came time for me to choose a career path, well, there wasn’t anything else I wanted to do. Archaeology is fascinating! We learn so much about the world and the people who lived in it.

But, you know, it isn’t all big finds and treasure. Sometimes, it’s learning about the people who lived there and their lives. Why did they choose to live in that location? How did they survive? Archaeology can give us those answers.

Holy bookmarks, what an incredible origin story! I’ve read about so many fascinating historical places that I can only imagine how amazing it must have been to visit them up close. How has your career been going up to this point?

Funny you should ask… I’m at a crossroads right now. I was a field archaeologist for several years and enjoyed it. And I’ve spent the last two years teaching and doing research at Lakeview University, but I don’t think the academic world is for me. I enjoy working with the students, but the politics of academia are tough.

Anyway, I was called into a meeting with the dean of the school and learned that the university has funds for one professor next year. Two of us were in the meeting, and although I'm being considered, I don't think they’ll offer me the position. And that’s okay. It might be time for a change.

While I imagine it probably stung to learn this news, change can be a great and necessary thing. Your digs likely showcase how change drives civilization forward, don’t they? Archaeology seems full of historical mysteries, but how on earth did you find yourself involved in a present-day murder investigation?

Well, I wasn’t planning on it. My good friend and colleague, Ethan Carter, came out to set up the dig a few weeks ago. I arrived on the Isle of Skye to learn that he was dead. The students found him in one of the squares at the dig.

When I spoke to Shelly, Ethan’s wife and a good friend of mine, she asked me to find out what happened to Ethan. I’m good at uncovering things and digging up the truth for the past. I promised Shelly I’d do my best.

The police are helpful, but they didn’t know Ethan like I did. He was like a brother. There had to be a reason he went back to the dig at night. That’s something he never did.

Oh, goodness! What terrible circumstances to find yourself in. Can you tell us about the Isle of Skye? What brought you and Ethan there?

Ethan spotted the information about the dig last year and suggested we work on it together. He did all the paperwork required, and here we are.

The dig is taking place in a broch. That’s a circular stone structure that’s only found in Scotland. They date back to the Iron Age. The one we’re working on is just outside the village of Dunvegan.

There are rumors that Bonnie Prince Charlie may have stayed in the broch while he was trying to make his escape from Scotland in 1745. The locals think he may have left some treasure behind and are eager to see what we find.

And a side note, the Isle of Skye is magical! Mountains, fairy pools, and the people are wonderful.

If it wasn’t for Ethan’s death, this place would be perfect.

I bet! Did you visit any eerie or spooky locations while on the case?

Without giving away too much, two students and I wind up locked in a cave that has dungeons in it.

Sounds very intriguing! When you’re on a case, are you a solo investigator, or do you have a team to help you?

I like working with people, but I need some alone time to figure things out too.

With this adventure, my best friend, Alex Bennett, is still in Lakeview. She’s an educational psychologist. We talk on the phone daily, and she’s been helping me work through some of the sticky points in the case and with Luke. She keeps me grounded.

And then there’s Luke Forbes. We dated when we were graduate students at university, and we wound up living together. We had plans for our future, but those plans went “pfft” when he returned to England. That was ten years ago. I was shocked to see him with the police at the B&B. He’s with Interpol now, working with AART. That’s the Antiquities and Art Recovery Team for Interpol. Interpol suspects there’s an antiquities smuggling ring involved with Ethan’s death. Luke has access to information that can help me clear Ethan’s name and find out who killed him. On a personal note, we’re getting to know each other again, but it’s going to take some time for me to trust him.

It sounds like readers get to meet some very interesting characters while adventuring with you. What advice do you have for other amateur sleuths?

Be smart and be aware of what’s happening around you. If your gut is telling you that something’s not right, listen to it!

Yes! So many people don’t listen to their instincts until it’s too late. Great advice, Mia. Are there more adventures in store for you and your author, Rose Kerr?

Apparently, there are. She’s told me there’s at least two more coming. The next one will be at my new job, whatever that may be. I’ve heard rumors the museum is looking for someone. I hope she brings Luke along because it’s been great getting to know him again.

Lucky us! I’m so glad to hear there’s more mystery and archaeology on the way. Thank you for coming off the page with me for a bit, Mia. It’s been great getting to know you.

Thank you, Wren for taking the time to interview me!

Death at the Scottish Broch is available now. Find it here or at your favorite bookish retailer.

Thank you so much for reading! Do you have a historical place you’d like to visit? Let us know in the comments below.

You can learn more about The Wren, Winnie, and the Book Blogger Mysteries here.