by Sarah Erwin

This week we have a review of the first book in a new series by Kathleen Kalb, along with an interesting interview with Kathleen. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase the book from Amazon.

The Stuff of Murder by Kathleen Marple Kalb
Review by Sarah Erwin

Kathleen Marple Kalb is off to a strong start in her new cozy mystery series An Old Stuff Mystery with book one The Stuff of Murder.

Readers meet Christian Shaw, head of the Unity Historical Society and antiques expert. Christian is juggling motherhood as a widow and carefully helping to manage her son Henry’s Type 1 diabetes.

She lives in a small Connecticut town and has been called in to assist a Hollywood movie production company in the filming of a remake of The Scarlet Letter. Her role is to ensure that all props used are as historically accurate as possible. The lead star, Brett Studebaker, plays the fire and brimstone preacher. After having the company and Brett sign a release form, Christian allows Brett to use both an antique bible and pewter tankard during a scene at the pulpit.

Unfortunately, Brett dramatically falls from the pulpit and later dies at the hospital. At first it is assumed he tragically hit his head, but a more sinister plot begins to surface. Who wanted Brett dead and how did they commit the murder?

Being that the murder happened in front of her own eyes, Christian is approached by the Assistant State Attorney Joe Poli with questions. Christian and Joe begin to carefully investigate the murder and several suspects and motives appear. It also becomes clear that there is a spark of interest between Christian and Joe, and the romance that begins to develop is gentle and sweet.

Along the way, readers also meet Christian’s wonderful community of friends and neighbors. The characters are well-developed and memorable and add to the movement of plot and the wonderful sense of community in the town.

I so enjoyed this mystery (I love getting to start a new cozy mystery series right at the beginning!). I found Christian’s job and knowledge of antiques and history fascinating and loved how she balanced this with her family life. I found myself investigating along with Christian and Joe, and wow, what an ending! I did not see that coming, and I believe I sat straight up as I was reading. Looking forward to reading more about Christian and her future adventures.

Sarah Erwin started her career as a children’s librarian, later becoming a public library director and now she’s a stay at home mom. While her career might have changed, her love of reading has been a constant since 4th grade and she reads over 200 books a year. Read along with her on her blog Sarah Can’t Stop Reading or on Instagram. Sarah lives in St. Louis, MO with her two kids, her husband and a family dog and cat.

Interview with Kathleen Marple Kalb:

KRL: How long have you been writing?

Kathleen: I’m honestly not sure! I know I wrote a very bad attempt at a Regency romance in middle school…and my first real historical novel when I was sixteen. Actually tried – and mercifully failed! – to sell it. For about 20 years, during college and the start of my radio news career, I didn’t do a lot of fiction writing. Then my son started kindergarten. Suddenly, I had several hours when I wasn’t chasing a kid around the house, and I decided to try writing the mystery that had been kicking around in my head for years.

Kathleen Marple Kalb

KRL: When did your first novel come out, what was it called, and would you tell us a little about it?

Kathleen: My debut was A Fatal Finale, the first Ella Shane Mystery. Published by Kensington in May 2020, it’s set in Gilded Age New York, featuring an Irish-Jewish orphan made good as an opera singer – of male “trouser” roles. In her first outing, Ella’s playing Romeo when her Juliet drops dead, and Juliet’s cousin, a handsome, single Duke, comes to town to help track the killer. Of course, Ella fences with the Duke and duels the killer. There’s also plenty of social commentary on women’s rights, prejudice, and more. Kensington published three Ella books, and the series is picking up again in April at Level Best Books, with A Fatal Reception – the wedding episode!

KRL: Have you always written mysteries/suspense and if not, what else have you written?

Kathleen: I grew up “borrowing” my grandpa’s Agatha Christie’s, and Alfred’s Hitchcock Mystery Magazines, and as an adult, I’ve always written mysteries. Some of mine do push the edges of the genre a little, because romance is often a plot driver, and I tend to be more interested in character than building a puzzle-box whodunnit.

KRL: What brought you to choose the setting and characters in your latest book/series?

Kathleen: Initially, I was looking for a way to use the historical research from the Ella series and my weekly fun-facts blog…and got the idea of someone who solves mysteries using her expertise with history and old things. Right about then, I helped chaperone an elementary-school field trip to the town Historical Society, and it all came together.

Christian Shaw, the main character, is a former history professor, current director of the Unity, Connecticut Historical Society, and the mother of Henry, who has a photographic memory and Type-1 Diabetes. She’s surrounded by a colorful and diverse cast, including “the dads she should have had,” Garrett and Ed, her rabbi, her paramedic pal, and a bunch of fun pets. Henry’s condition, by the way, is inspired by the experience of my closest friend, whose adult son has Type-1, and our neighbor’s son, a good friend of my own boy.

KRL: Do you write to entertain or is there something more you want the readers to experience from your work?

Kathleen: First and foremost, my books are fun. I’m here to tell a good story and give you a fun ride. If, along the way, you happen to notice that, say, a bunch of people from different backgrounds can become found family, that same-sex couples live undramatically happy lives, and that a kid with diabetes is as normal as any other, I’m not going to argue with you!

KRL: Do you have a schedule for your writing or just work whenever you can?

Kathleen: Whenever I have five minutes and a flat surface for the laptop!

KRL: What is your ideal time to write?

Kathleen: Middays. Dirty little secret: I often take a nap right after school drop-off. Don’t judge me – I work 2 a.m.-11:30 a.m. weekends and most holidays! After a good morning nap, I have lots of energy and good ideas and a couple hours to work on them before pickup.

KRL: Do you outline? If not, do you have some other interesting way that you keep track of what’s going on, or what needs to happen in your book when you are writing it?

Kathleen: I’m a semi-pantser, which sounds like a middle grade potty humor superhero! Can you tell I’m a boy mom? – but it’s the easiest way to explain it. I get the beginning and end of the story, then work my way into the center. Usually, after I write the first few scenes, I do come up with a synopsis, and keep a timeline as I go. Helps me keep track of the evidence. I’ve covered enough court cases in my journalism career to think about a mystery as building a case – so I like to know how all the evidence fits together.

KRL: Did you find it difficult to get published in the beginning?

Kathleen: Um, yeah. Say 200 rejections over three different projects. Finally got signed, and my agent sold the Ella Shane series to Kensington…only to have a lockdown debut. Honestly, I’m just really bad at giving up. But I guess pretty good at regrouping and going back into the fight.

KRL: Do you have a great rejection/critique or acceptance story you’d like to share?

Kathleen: Yes! When I was querying the Ella Shane series, an agent responded that he loved the characters and the setting, but nothing happened in the first 100 pages. Well, first it stung a little. Then, I thought about it for a day or two, realized he was right, and ripped the whole thing apart and put it back together so things DID happen. Sent it back to him…and he signed me and sold the series. If I hadn’t been open to advice and critiques, I wouldn’t be a published author now.

KRL: Most interesting book signing story-in a bookstore or other venue?

Kathleen: Being a lockdown debut, I’ve done mostly virtual events. But my favorite moment of my public career so far was a lunchtime panel in New York City’s Bryant Park, a year or so ago. Actually got to be onstage with a bunch of people whose books I’d read. And then I looked out in the crowd and saw my husband and son. Worth every second of the blood, sweat, and tears!

KRL: What are your future writing goals?

Kathleen: Improve as a writer. Keep selling work, and if somebody were moved to give me a teensy piece of hardware for one of my projects, I’d be thrilled beyond imagining!

KRL: Who are your writing heroes?

Kathleen: Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels is my hero and role model. I know people don’t have careers like that anymore, where they write historical and contemporary, light stuff, paranormal romantic suspense, and all kinds of other things, but she was amazing. And in terms of plotting, writing, and style, she set the standard.

KRL: What kind of research do you do?

Kathleen: Since I do the Ella Shane series and the weekly historical blog on Goodreads, I research a lot. Depending on the week, it can be anything from Victorian marriage laws, to garters, to 19th century vacation spots, Museum sites are great for pics and info, and I read a lot of books and articles on various things.

KRL: What do you like to read?

Kathleen: When I’m not actively plotting, I love to read mysteries, everything from Dorothy Sayers to brand new stuff. When I’m developing a story, though, I read a lot of history and biography because I don’t want to accidentally steal anyone’s ideas. I’m a sucker for anything involving royals, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Prince Harry. Plus memoirs and social history: tell me what it was really like to be alive in a different time and place.

KRL: What are your favorite TV shows or movies?

Kathleen: The Crown – the first four seasons – they lost me when they did Diana wrong in #5! Police procedurals like Law & Order and Blue Bloods, for plot structure. Original Frasier for a good, smart laugh!

KRL: Have you any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?

Kathleen: Don’t give up. A rejection is “No, today” on one piece of work. It’s not a judgment on your writing career and certainly not on you as a person. And honest criticism is a gift. If someone you respect takes the time to tell you how they think you can improve, listen. Find beta readers who love you and your work enough to be honest and take the critiques seriously. We can all learn and improve and it’s important to find a collaborative and supportive environment where you can grow.

KRL: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

Kathleen: I’m a Baroness. For real – and for fun. The Principality of Sealand will, for a certain consideration- i.e. less money than you’d think! – award a noble title. So, I got myself named a Baroness. I don’t insist on it, of course, but technically, it’s appropriate to address me as “Lady Kathleen.” For those of you who are keeping score, Sealand is a micronation in the North Sea, and their titles are at least as legit as those of many European royals who continue to use names that haven’t legally existed since World War I.

KRL: LOL Do you have any pets?

Kathleen: Rheba the Diva rules our house. She’s a calico kitty, about two years old, all attention demands and high-velocity love. About a year ago, our tuxie, Merritt died after a long and brave battle with heart problems. A few horrible weeks later, the guys – my husband and son – went to the shelter just to see about starting the process for a new pet…and fell in love. Rheba is a true gift.

KRL: Is there anything you would like to add?

Kathleen: Thank you so much for giving me a chance to talk about writing and my characters! KRL – and the MysteryRat’s Maze podcast – are such a wonderful part of the mystery community.

KRL: You are very welcome and thanks for the kind words! Website? Twitter? Facebook? Instagram?

Kathleen: Website: kathleenmarplekalb.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Kathleen-Marple-Kalb-1082949845220373
Twitter: twitter.com/KalbMarple
Instagram: instagram.com/kathleenmarplekalb
Threads: @kathleenmarplekalb
Bluesky: @mysterymarple.bsky.social

To enter to win an ebook copy of The Stuff of Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “stuff” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen on January 27, 2024. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

A mystery short story by Kathleen, writing as Nikki Knight, was featured in a past Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast episode, and another one is coming up soon. You can find that episode by clicking here or listening on the player below:

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify.

You can also click here to purchase this book.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.