Sara Winokur is the author of the new novel Ivory Bones: The Lewis Chessman Murders. She also has written the novel Double Blind: The Icelandic Manuscript Murders. Also a geneticist, she lives in Southern California.
Q: Ivory Bones is your second novel featuring your character Brynja--do you think she's changed from one book to the next?
A: Absolutely. After all, the most compelling aspect of fiction is character. The reader must relate in some way. Brynja has evolved from being consumed by her past trauma into a more present, introspective individual.
She is still a forensic DNA scientist who relies on an analytical approach to solving crimes. However, Brynja is now much more self-aware and compassionate, not only toward herself but toward others.
At the start of Ivory Bones: The Lewis Chessmen Murders, she is convinced that DNA is the major influence on one’s path in life. This affects her relationship with her lover, turning down his proposal because of the worry she harbors some of her father’s “evil” DNA and would pass that on to any children they would have; a ridiculous notion.
She comes to realize her false belief and consequentially opens herself up to others in a more emotionally available way. The reader will enjoy Brynja’s character arc.
Q: How did you research this new novel, and did you learn anything that especially surprised you?
A: As I am an American writing about mysteries steeped in Icelandic culture and history, I felt it was extremely important to do extensive research in order to be imbue fiction with fact.
I travelled to Iceland several times, toured a company that performs DNA analysis (Iceland has a national DNA database used to identify mutations that cause disease), met with many professionals at the University of Iceland including the curator of the medieval Icelandic Saga manuscripts, drove the Ring Road, ate local foods, and met the First Lady Eliza Reed at the Iceland Writers Retreat.
In addition, I read many books on the Lewis Chessmen, the Icelandic Sagas, the Barbary pirate raid on Iceland, and discussed the contents with the authors, many of whom generously read and gave input on Ivory Bones prior to publication.
I’m convinced they were carved by Margret the Adroit, the wife of a priest at Skálholt Cathedral in Iceland. I visited the cathedral and learned a 12th century ivory bishop’s staff had been carved there as well I then toured the National Museum in Iceland to see the bishop’s staff as well as traveled to London to see firsthand the Lewis Chessmen in the British Museum.
As far as surprises go, in researching my own genealogy, I uncovered skeletons in my family history: the Barbary pirate who masterminded the raids on Iceland in 1627 was my ancestor!
I felt an immediate connection to my main character Brynja, who, aside from being a geneticist, is related to a ruthless individual. Of course, in my case, the individual (the pirate) lived 400 years ago, so I don’t feel a connection or responsibility for his actions.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Lots! How much space do I have? I suppose the main take-home message of my journey into creative writing is that it is never too late. One can always reinvent themselves and take on new challenges. Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you from exploring.
You don’t have to be the next Charles Dickens or Agatha Christie to simply enjoy the craft of writing. Just go for it.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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