Cozy Mystery Review & Author Interview: Ignoring Alva

Thanks to Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours for the chance to read and review Ignoring Alva, by Emilie Khair.

Ignoring Alva by Emilie Khair

Ignoring Alva
Cozy Mystery/Sibling Fiction 
Setting – Minnesota and Wisconsin
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Current Words Publishing (February 4, 2025)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 282 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1957224452
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1957224459sota and Wisconsin
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DW4F61RW
Audiobook ASIN B0DW1Q5J9X

Meet Alva and Millie…. not your typical eighty-something sisters.

While recovering from a mild stroke, Alva’s vivid dreams of daring exploits spark a restless desire to break free from the predictability of her quiet life. Her sister Millie-a practical yet spirited counterpart-is skeptical of Alva’s newfound boldness. But when Alva suggests an impulsive road trip, not even Millie can resist the call of adventure.

What starts as a lighthearted escapade quickly spirals into a whirlwind of mischief, suspense, and unexpected heroics. As the journey unfolds, the siblings face long-buried secrets, stand up for the underdog, and confront dangerous foes with a fierceness they never knew they possessed.

Through it all, Alva and Millie prove that courage, resilience, and the drive to rewrite your story aren’t confined by age-they’re only sharpened by experience.

Witty, heartfelt, and brimming with surprises, Ignoring Alva is an unforgettable tale of sisterhood and reinvention. It proves that life’s greatest adventures can happen when you least expect them.

Thanks to Emilie Khair for dropping by to answer some questions about herself and her writing!

1)    What are your books about and who is the audience?

 

This is my first novel, although I have written two memoirs, a children’s book and

a few screenplays. Outside of the children’s book, the themes generally center on

aging. I have written about the fine line between the diagnosis of dementia, and

the natural process of aging. About how, if you are in your twenties and forget to

turn off the oven, people think you are distracted or irresponsible, but if you are in

your eighties, that act prompts a trip to the neurologist! However, in Ignoring Alva,

my focus is on the wonderful potential for adventure at any age. I wanted my

characters, though octogenarians, to be emboldened by curiosity, their stories still

unfolding.

 

Primarily women, over 50, who enjoy a humorous journey of self-discovery.  But I

think there is plenty of adventure for any reader to revel in. Perfect for book clubs!

 

 

2)    What is the best thing about being a writer?

 

For me, it is the freedom to let my mind wander—to watch a character become.

 

3)   If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

 

Trick question. I want to say some gorgeous place like Donostia-San

Sebastian, Spain, or Santorini, or Florence. But in truth, I would want to live right

here, in Atlanta, near my sons, and my friends—my community. Maybe spend a few

months out of each year, visiting the rest!

 

4)    Have to agree--being with family and friends wins for me, too! In your garden, do you focus on vegetables or flowers?

 

No focus here. A mess of both!

 

5)    If there’s a spider in the corner of the room, do you a) panic, b) have to drop  

everything until it is removed, or c) hope it’s planning to eat the more annoying

bugs that get in?

 

I’ll go with “c”. But I would rather add option “d”: Smash it with my shoe.

 

6)    I'll consider adding that option, though I hope you resist it! Do you draft your books longhand or compose at the keyboard?

 

Always the keyboard—so much easier to erase, or cut and paste.

 

7)    What’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to research for one of your books?

 

The distinct “old person smell” of a nursing home. Which besides the incontinence, 

can be due to the oxidation of the skin’s natural oils. The resulting 2-nonenal, is not

water soluble, and can remain on the skin or clothes despite thorough washing. (In

case you were wondering!)

 

8)    I'm not completely sure I wanted to know that!

Do you use a detailed outline before you start writing, or... ?

 

I do not. Though I probably should—it would make the process faster. I start with an

idea, a couple of main characters, and a few possible endings, and then let my mind

loose.

Thanks for sharing with us!

 

About Emilie Khair

Emilie Khair is the author of the biographies Passion’s Piano: The Eddie Heywood Story and A Beautiful Puzzle: Nadia’s Journey from East to West as well as the children’s book, Kudzu for Christmas. She holds undergraduate degrees in theatre arts and English education from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree in special education from the University of West Georgia, and a doctorate in sociology from Georgia State University. She has two sons and resides in McDonough, Georgia, with her husband of thirty-five years. While Emilie’s roots are in Minnesota, her southern experiences are an inspiration to her writing.

Author Links
Website https://ignohttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572492988444ringalva.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572492988444

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Bookshop.org 

Now for my review!

While Ignoring Alva doesn't quite fit the model for a cozy mystery, I'm not sure what else to call it. Senior-chick lit? Sister road trip? A caper (except the sisters are on the side of right and law)? Whatever you call it, it's a good read. 

I'm not completely sure how I feel about the mystery that eventually develops; the criminal activity the sisters run into is nasty and upsetting in many ways. Nor is there much question who the baddies are--one reason I hesitate to call it a mystery. But it's an engaging read, and I like the senior protagonists, who are living a nice mix of knowing their limits and blowing those limits out of the water to prove (at least to themselves) that they are still alive.

It's a satisfying read in the end, and that's what counts. I will say I was a little bothered by a some instances of needing better editing--mistaken word choices and some confusion about "lay" and "lie," which only a geek like me is apt to notice, let alone be bothered by!

My Recommendation:

Ignoring Alva is a nice venture out of the standard mold, of road books, chick lit, sister books, or cozy mysteries.

 

 Don't miss the chance to win a signed copy of the book!

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

April 10 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

April 11 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

April 12 – Rebecca M. Douglass, Author – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 12 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW

April 13 – Frugal Freelancer – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 14 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

April 15 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 16 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW

April 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

April 18 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 18 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

April 19 – MJB Reviewer – SPOTLIGHT

April 20 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 21 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

April 22 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 23 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

April 23 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

 

FTC Disclosure: I received an ARC of  Ignoring Alva  from Great Escapes Free Virtual Book Tours, and received nothing further from the writer or publisher in exchange for my honest review.  The opinions expressed are my own and those of no one else.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

 

 ©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2025   
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