Tiffany Killoren is a Kansas City-based author (and former attorney) who has become a vibrant member of the local literary community, with books, magazine articles, and writer's workshops in her long list of credits. I first met Tiffany as she braved Planet Comicon in Kansas City, bearing books whose covers were adorned with butterflies and flowers, as cosplayers dressed as Bane, Groot, and Darth Vader strolled by. Her works that first year, Good Will and Uncharted Therapy, were decidedly out of the fantasy/sci-fi channel that tends to dominate the book selection at the 'Con. Tiffany was there as part of the Metamorphosis Literary Agency group (an absolutely wonderful woman-led company, BTW), and their table, featuring many female authors and their works, was getting good attention from the 'Con crowd.
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| Tiffany Killoren |
Tiffany and I chatted for a bit, and she told me about her upcoming book, a mystery, which at the time was a new genre for her as an author. This piqued my interest, so I followed her socials to learn when her mystery novel would be published. "Pretty Dead Things", written using the nom de plume Lillian West, arrived in late 2024. I bought a copy from Tiffany at Planet Comicon in early 2025, and eagerly read it (as Der Bingle loves a good mystery).
And indeed a good mystery it is. "Pretty Dead Things" is a dual-timeline story, slowly unraveling a generations-old murder mystery in a small town. The story is tight, the writing is exceptional, the characters come to life. For a first mystery novel, it is a smashing success. I enjoyed it tremendously, and 5-star recommend it for the mystery lovers on your Christmas list.
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| Tiffany Killoren at Planet Comicon |
Q and A with Tiffany Killoren
Favorite family Christmas tradition: Oyster Stew is a old family Christmas tradition from her Dad's family. They keep this tradition alive each Christmas season, even though the stew is not at the top of everyone's Yum! list.
How many Christmas trees go up in your house? Five total, and three are named: Pretty Pretty Fancy Tree, Crazy Crazy Happy Tree, Itty Bitty Funky Tree.
Favorite Christmas song/singer/album: Pentatonix, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack in general. Crooner story: Tiffany and a friend met Michael Buble behind the Midland Theatre in KC once as he stepped out of his tour bus. They were there for his concert, and in taking a 'shortcut' to the entrance doors, had the fortunate timing to meet Mr. Buble.
Favorite Christmas homemade treat: Treats that mix the sweet & salty tastes, like chocolate covered pretzels.
Do you do Christmas baking/sweet-making? Yes - Royal Icing fancy-decorated sugar cookies, to give as gifts. Also on her list: “Gremlins” (aka Turtles) and peppermint bark.
Fruitcake – yes or no? A qualified, slightly hesitant Yes. (Tiffany and I are planning to meet for coffee again in early December, where she will receive one of Der Bingle's fruitcakes, which I'm certain she will love 😊).
Charitable organization everyone should support during the Christmas season? Harvesters, Parkville Animal Shelter, both Kansas City non-profit organizations. Tiffany is also engaged with a group that provides clothing suitable for interviews for job seekers who may not have their own interview-worthy clothing.
Author who inspires you? Ruth Ware, author of The Woman in Cabin 10. She focuses on the experience of isolation.
Book that everyone should read? (Without hesitation) In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. (This led to a fairly lengthy discussion about it being the pioneering true crime novel and its influence not only on true crime but on non-fiction writing in general).
What was your writing process for your mystery? I've heard John Irving say that he outlines and structures everything in his works-in-progress to the nth degree, and E.L. Doctorow talk about letting the story write itself. Where does your process lie? Somewhere in the middle. Tiffany sets the framework of the story first – how it begins, how it ends, and then creates the narrative getting from the beginning to the end. Sometimes along the way a planned minor character take on a larger role than intended. There can be surprises that come up as the story is being created.
Are there plans for another ‘found things’ mystery? Not exactly ‘found things’, but the town that Pretty Dead Things was set in will be the setting for two other mysteries. Pretty Dead Things was inspired by a real occurrence of finding an item of value (a ring) in amongst a can of baubles & trinkets. The 'found things' motif won't be repeated, but the town of Hickory Falls certainly contains other mysterious happenings and will be the geographic star of her next two mystery novels.
Where can I purchase your books? In Kansas City, Zona Rosa Barnes & Noble. For others, all the major bookselling online outlets carry all of Tiffany's books. Rainy Day Books, a local independent bookstore, also has Pretty Dead Things in stock.
Tiffany Killoren, Author Facebook page
Tiffany Killoren Author page on Amazon
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