Mummy’s Locket by Nan S. Russell ~ Character Interview

Posted August 20, 2026 by karenbaron in Blog Tour, Contest - Giveaway, Spotlight / 1 Comment

Mummy’s Locket

Series: Mallory Grayson Mysteries #1

Author: Nan S. Russell

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Setting: New York State

Release Date: May 25, 2026, by Next Chapter

Pages: 308

Summary:

The truth doesn’t stay buried forever.

After losing everything, Mallory Grayson retreats to a quiet town, hoping a vintage shop and a fresh start will help her rebuild her life. But when the mummified body of her long-missing great-grandmother is discovered, Mallory is pulled into a mystery.

Clues hidden in heirlooms, a secret room, and a past lover’s return offer answers … if she’s willing to risk everything to uncover them. In a story steeped in secrets and history, her courage may be the only thing that can break the curse.

The past and present collide in MUMMY’S LOCKET, the first book in the Mallory Grayson Mysteries series by Nan S. Russell.

Interview with Bobbie Brooks Mallory Grayson

How did you and your author meet?

On vacation at Glacier National Park in Montana. While my writer was listening to the audio book, Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody, on the deck of Many Glacier Lodge, the decision about a female amateur sleuth for the protagonist crystalized for her. But it wasn’t until she was back home in Colorado, writing character backstories, that I was able to introduce myself properly.

Why did this writer decide to feature you in a book?

As an introvert herself, she and I share that trait. With 30%-50% of people labeling themselves as introverts, my writer thought it would be interesting to have an introverted, reluctant, amateur woman sleuth be in her mystery series. After hearing my backstory, she realized protagonist was the perfect role for me in what would be a traditional mystery with cozy elements.

Do you have any friends or family helping you out?

Yes. My grandmother raised me and even though she’s gone from this world, the trove of family secrets she left provided some puzzle pieces. Help also arrived from my housemate who calls herself a sometimes psychic, the town’s favorite history teacher, a group of middle school “History Sleuths,” along with my ex-finance who turned out not to be as bad a guy as I thought, and my out-of-town best friend.

Do you have a regular job and investigate on the side or are you a full time detective?

Regular job. After my family’s estate was sold at auction, I moved to a small, unfamiliar town and opened a vintage shop to sell what’s left of the family heirlooms. But when the murdered body of my great-grandmother, missing since the 1930s was discovered, I decided to find out what happened and got pulled into a challenging mystery.

What is the funniest thing that happens to you or another character in this story?

When I agreed to have a housemate, I insisted there be no dogs. She asked if I would at least meet hers, a fluffy little mixed breed rescue dog, before I decided. I reluctantly agreed. My resistance came from being pounced on and knocked to the ground at four. But Blueberry Muffin took an extreme liking to me, hugging me with her paws, tail wagging when she saw me, and insisting she take me on her walks. By the end of the book, I’m her second biggest fan!

Have you solved other cases or is this your first one?

It’s my first. However, I earned a graduate degree in historical archeology and enjoy historical puzzles and research.

Do you have a gift or special talent?

While some see being an introvert as a weakness, I see it as a strength. I tend to be observant, thoughtful, and intuitive about people and places.

Who is the most important individual in your life?

I would have to say I’m the most important person in my life because it’s my life. But my grandmother raised me after my parents died in a car accident and is she helped me become who I am today. After her, I’d say my best friend, Annie Browne.

What is your ideal vacation?

Traveling with a good friend to somewhere I’ve never been, with good books to read along the way, places to explore and things to learn with a few touches of awe along the way. Typically for me that means somewhere in nature, away from hordes of people.

If you could change anything about your life what would it be?

My parents would be in my life.

To learn more about both the writer, this character, and the series, be sure to check out Ms. Russell’s website linked below.

About the Author

With both a bachelor’s and master’s in psychology, Nan S. Russell was fired from her first professional job. Taking a minimum wage position to pay the rent, sixteen promotions later, she decided to end a successful corporate career as a Vice President of a multibillion-dollar East Coast company, to pursue a life dream to live and write from the Rocky Mountains, first in northwestern Montana and now along the Front Range of Colorado. With a desire to help others live their dreams, too, she turned her real-world experience into writing award winning non-fiction career and business books and articles, and became a speaker and consultant on leadership, trust, and culture development. But she always knew she wanted to write fiction, too. That point arrived during the pandemic pause which provided the catalyst for rethinking her writing and its purpose, sparking the decision to move towards fiction with more time to study the craft, take online classes, hone skills and work on her first novel. Now, she is living her second dream: Writing mysteries. Mummy’s Locket is her debut novel and the first in her Mallory Grayson series.

Giveaway

Prize: (1) Mummy’s Locket, a print book, signed by the author will be mailed to 3 U.S. winners at the end of the virtual tour.

(2) Anyone, regardless of location, who signs up for the author’s occasional newsletter at www.nanrussell.com, during the tour dates, can arrange to have the author be a book club guest via Zoom to discuss and answer questions about Mummy’s Locket and/or the writing process.

Giveaway

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Thank you for dropping by! So, what do you think of Mummy’s Locket by Nan S. Russell? Check out the other stops and enter the awesome giveaway if you have time.

Until the next time,

Happy Reading!

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Mummy’s Locket by Nan S. Russell ~ Character Interview