Holly West
Killin’ Time in San Diego
Killin’ Time in San Diego is a gripping anthology edited by Holly West, featuring twenty of today’s best crime and mystery writers. Published in conjunction with Bouchercon 2023, this new anthology peels back the postcard-perfect image of San Diego to expose its darker side.
The Writer’s Dossier 5/22/2025 – The Holly West interview
DOSSIER: What surprises you more—how excited people get when they find out that your two dogs are named Stella and Brando or people who don’t immediately recognize the reference? Do the dogs and their behavior live up to their on-screen characters?
WEST: Surprisingly, most people seem to get the reference. Which makes me happy and feel less old, lol. Unfortunately, we lost Stella in October 2024, and life isn’t the same without her. Brando is a much calmer dog, which is great, but I miss her sassy little bark so much. And yes, we quite frequently yelled “Stella!” in our best Stanley Kowalski voices, which she usually ignored unless food was in the offing. She lived up to both her name and her breed (long-haired chihuahua).
Hometown murders
DOSSIER: Your historical fiction series, Mistress of Fortune, features a female detective in a very clever 17th century setting. Since the first book won a Left Coast Crime nomination for Best First Novel, you’ve followed up with some great award-nominated work with anthologies. Where do you want to go next with your writing?
WEST: I’m currently in the plotting phase of a new novel set in 2024 in my hometown. It’s got a bit of a historical element in that it deals with a murder that happened in 1992, and it’s loosely based on the murders of three teenaged girls who were killed here in 1984, when I was in high school. I’m still not sure how I’m going to tell this story, but I’m endlessly intrigued by it, so I’m looking forward to finding out what happens.
A companion at your feet
DOSSIER: Where and when do you like to write? Some nice spot with a view of a quaint northern California vineyard? Are Stella & Brando at your feet?
WEST: I get my best creative work done in the morning in my office, which is quite nice but not as picturesque as a vineyard. By noon, my brain is too full of life’s niggling details to do me much good. And sadly, I’m dogless at this point. For years, Stella hung out with me while Brando preferred my husband’s office. As she got older, navigating the stairs became more difficult, so the dogs switched places, and Brando was my faithful companion. With Stella gone, Brando’s returned to his old habits, and I find myself with no dogs at my feet. That will hopefully change, one way or another (new puppy—hint, hint). But I’m not ready for that yet.
You used to do what?
DOSSIER: In addition to having worked as a goldsmith and a jewelry designer, you were a foreign credentials analyst. (I love that but didn’t see it coming!) With this varied background, how much of your past work experience do you draw upon in your writing, and how do you feel about writers who have deep personal experience in a particular discipline vs those who gain a level of understanding based on their research?
WEST: The plot of my second novel, Mistress of Fortune, centers around a goldsmith who supposedly died during Great Plague of London in 1665. During that time, goldsmiths also functioned as bankers since they had the means to secure valuable items for their wealthy clients, so it was an interesting avenue to explore for that book. That’s about as much work experience as I’ve ever used in a book, but if I’d have known I’d end up being a mystery/crime fiction author, I might’ve trained for a more applicable career, like attorney, or forensic expert or something nifty like that. Alas, I only have research to inform much of the work my characters might do. I’m okay with that!
The art of French cooking
DOSSIER: We love our food here at The Dossier! After watching The French Chef on YouTube, did you ever end up making Boeuf Bourguignon and Coq au Vin?
WEST: Ha ha, no! I’m the laziest cook ever. The only thing I’ve made from my copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking is vinaigrette, and most of the time I just open a bottle of store-bought dressing.
The Last Word
DOSSIER: Is there anything else you’d like to reveal in your Dossier today? (We like headline-making breaking news and it gives our graphics department something to do other than play video games all day.)
WEST: I wish I had something to reveal! How about this: When that new puppy arrives at our house, y’all at the Dossier will be the first to know.
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