Bio

Kate Khavari is the author of fiction ranging from historical mysteries to high fantasy epics. She has her parents to thank for her fascination for historical mysteries, as she spent the majority of her childhood memorizing Sherlock Holmes’s and Poirot’s greatest quips. A former teacher, Kate has a deep appreciation for research and creativity, not to mention the multitasking ability she now relies on as an author and stay at home mother. She lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas with her husband, two children, and a lovely garden that contains absolutely no poisonous plants.

  • As is the case with many authors, I loved telling stories from childhood. I returned to it as an adult after binge reading mysteries and wondering if I could write my own book using all my favorite pieces and parts: an intelligent and dynamic heroine, a clever plot, and a healthy dollop of romance. My attempt became my debut novel, A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons.

  • My initial ideas come from anywhere: an interesting word in the dictionary, an existential question in the wee hours of the morning, a spark of excitement learning a new historical fact. Researching my books, no matter the genre, usually turns up no end of intriguing ideas that spark new possibilities within the story (and endless hours of puttering around with my outline, chasing ideas down).

  • …No.

    I made it up. It is based on a real genus of plants, Solandra, of the nightshade family. Nightshades are famously poisonous (and delicious, if you like tomatoes, eggplants, or potatoes), and this particular genus includes many vines native to Central and South America.

  • The Xolotl vine is named for the Aztec god of fire and lightning, and the pronunciation I attempt to use is based on the Nahuatl language. It is pronounced “shuh-luht.”

  • That’s an excellent question, and one I wonder about every time I click ‘send’ on a manuscript to my editor. I would love to give Saffron and her friends satisfactory character arcs, but how many books that will require is a mystery I’ve yet to solve.

  • I’ve written around ten full length, completed novels and have a handful of projects that are either in progress or languishing on my hard drive. I have a number of fantasies in addition to more drafted Saffron Everleigh mysteries, and I hope that some will see bookshelves—and others will never see the light of day.

  • I absolutley love talking books with readers, so it never hurts to ask! The likelihood increases if you’re close to North Texas. I’m always up for online meetings, too.

    Contact my agent, Elizabeth Winick Rubinstein at McIntosh & Otis, ewinick@mcintoshandotis.com.