About

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).

I highly recommend readers read the series in order. Most of the mysteries stand alone, but some are interconnected across books, not to mention characters and relationships develop the longer the series runs.

This is the order:

1. A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons

2. A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality

3. A Botanist’s Guide to Society and Secrets

4. A Botanist’s Guide to Rituals and Revenge

5. Unnamed Book 5

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 twelve full length, completed novels and have a handful of projects that are either in progress or languishing on my hard drive. I hope that some will see bookshelves—and others will never see the light of day.

I am not a person of color, I am white. I took my husband’s name when we got married thirteen years ago. My husband and his family are Iranian, and I am not. I use Khavari as my pen name because it is my name, but again, I am a white American.

I never, ever want to take up space that should be given to a person of color simply because of my name. There are all sorts of people who write historical fiction, mysteries, and historical mysteries! Please do your research and find them in order to lift up their voices.

If you enjoy my books in particular, I’ve compiled a list of BIPOC authors whose books have a similar vibe. Please check out those authors and their books!

I absolutely 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.

You can email me at authorkkhavari@gmail.com.

I’m most active on Instagram (@authorkkhavari, linked below) and overshare regularly in my newsletter, The Conservatory (sign up below).

Yes, Amy Bishop-Wycisk of Trellis Literary Management.