Renaii West uses quirky and unconventional characters to solve unusual mysteries

PHOTO: Author Renaii West, creator of the award-winning novels Death by Chaos and The Wrong Side of the Flame

Blending Drama, Myth, and Mystery in Unforgettable Female-Led Stories

Renaii West discusses her creative process, mythological inspirations, and theatrical roots while exploring how strong friendships, flawed characters, and quirky humor shape her award-winning, character-driven mystery novels.

Renaii West enchants readers with a rare blend of theatrical flair and literary intrigue. A gifted storyteller whose roots lie in the dramatic arts, she brings to the page a dynamic sense of character, pacing, and vibrant visual texture. Her ability to craft quirky, intelligent, and fiercely loyal protagonists sets her work apart in the mystery genre—drawing readers into tightly woven plots layered with humor, mythological depth, and emotional resonance.

Her award-winning debut, Death by Chaos, introduced a group of unforgettable women whose bond, forged in the fire of tragedy and myth, continues to captivate. With her second novel, The Wrong Side of the Flame, West delivered another rich tapestry of mystery and friendship, ignited by the fiery brilliance of Brighid LaFlamme—a character as bold as she is nuanced. Whether drawing from Renaissance Faires, classic films, or ancient goddesses, West infuses her stories with heart, wit, and empowering narratives that celebrate female camaraderie and cleverness.

In this exclusive interview, Renaii West opens up about her inspirations, the creative shift from stage to page, and her passion for building character-driven mysteries with substance and soul. Her insights will not only inspire aspiring writers but also deepen appreciation for the thought and care behind her compelling fiction.

Renaii West captivates with original storytelling, unforgettable heroines, and a seamless fusion of wit, myth, and masterful mystery writing.

What inspired you to blend mystery with such vibrant and unconventional characters in your novels? 

After years of attending Renaissance Faires and adult venues I realized there were a variety of colorful characters who were regular customers, and yet I never saw them in a cozy mystery, or at least in a positive light.  I found these folks creative, witty, and adventurous, and had the gift of thinking outside of the box—all traits that would be useful in solving a mystery.  I just felt compelled to write about them.  

How has your background in dramatic arts influenced your storytelling and character development? 

My experience in the dramatics has driven home the importance of character development, pacing, and clarity. I strive to have my characters grow but in a realistic manner and behave with consistency.  Pacing is crucial.  The narrative should brisk and entertaining to keep the reader engaged, but going too fast can cause important details to be omitted or missed. 

“Writing is a muscle that needs to be used in order to be developed.” — Renaii West

Can you describe the moment or experience that sparked the idea for Death by Chaos?  

Apple of Discord is my favorite classic Greek myth, and I have always wanted to bring the four goddesses into a modern setting, but this time, have them work together, bringing a little bit of female empowerment to the story.    I remember my own college experience, where I met many wonderful people from different walks of life, and I realized that a college dorm room seemed to be the perfect place for four distinct women to meet and develop a friendship.  The tragic event that occurs their senior year creates a tie that binds them together for years beyond graduation.

What drew you to create a character like Brighid LaFlamme, and how much of her reflects your own passions? 

While watching a fabulous fire performance at a Renaissance Faire, I began to reflect on the dual nature of fire and decided then and there to create a story revolving around that duality.  The story needed a lead character, and as I did with the first novel, I created a modern version of a classic goddess, Brighid, the Celtic goddess of fire.  The last name, LaFlamme is of course, a play on words but also a homage to one of my favorite rock stars, David LaFlamme the lead vocalist and violinist of the 1960’s band, It’s a Beautiful Day.  Brighid is cooler, prettier, and smarter than me, but we share a passion for the arts, corsets, boots, fedoras, and solving mysteries and we both cherish our friendships. 

Your stories feature tight-knit groups of friends—what do you think makes those dynamics so compelling in mystery fiction?  

Friends not only bring support, comfort, and advice to each other, but each member of the group brings a skill or some knowledge in solving the mystery.  Friends are like the various pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, when pulled together, create a beautiful picture. 

How do your interests in mythology and classic films inform the themes or symbolism in your books? 

Both myths and classic films have created memorable characters and stories that have surpassed the meaning of time.  My characters like so many in the classic stories, are flawed.  They are greedy, jealous, and impulsive.  But as with so many classic characters, they have strengths to help them overcome obstacles, a sense of fairness and justice and the courage to fight for what is right. 

“Pacing is crucial. The narrative should be brisk and entertaining to keep the reader engaged.” — Renaii West

What challenges have you faced in transitioning from writing for stage to writing mystery novels?

I have to resist from relying purely on dialogue, which is my favorite form of writing.  With a stage production, there are crews that will design sets, costumes, lighting and sound effects to help create the full image for the audience.  As a novelist, I have to do all the work.  I am constantly trying to find the balance in providing enough descriptive narrative that a reader can place himself in the scene but not so much that the reader becomes bored or forgets about the journey of solving the mystery. 

With two books out, how do you approach balancing quirky humor with serious themes like death and deception? 

I try not to be too flippant about the death of a character.  And I want my characters to always show respect for the fallen.  But humor is a great way to defuse a tense situation and can illustrate the love and affection friends have for each other, and their history with inside jokes.    The readers are going on a discovery journey with the characters, and I think their shading each other, and laughing at the absurd makes the trip more enjoyable. 

“The readers are going on a discovery journey with the characters.” — Renaii West

Do you have plans to expand either of your current stories into a series, or are you exploring entirely new characters? 

I am currently writing my third novel which revisits the goddesses of Death by Chaos a decade later.  I hope to release it next year.  I will then work on the second novel starring Brighid LaFlamme and her entourage.  The plot is already in my head.  Just need to get it written. 

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to write compelling, character-driven mysteries? 

First of all, just sit down and do it.  Even if the first few attempts are futile.  Writing is a muscle that needs to be used in order to be developed.  For interesting characters, just look around at the people in your scope and try to identify traits that makes a person interesting and possibly capable of solving a crime the experts couldn’t.  You are asking the reader to go on a journey with the characters, they should be fun but not unrealistic.