Talkshow Thursday:
An Interview with Liisa Eyerly
What is your favorite thing about being a writer?
Research—hands down. Writing gives me permission to chase questions most people might casually wonder about but never pause to explore. That curiosity has carried me to Italy, Greece, and Ephesus in modern-day Türkiye, where apostles once lived and preached.
Layer by layer, I reconstruct Sabina’s first-century world through everyday details: spiced wine paired with flamingo-tongue appetizers, vibrantly dyed tunics, the echo of conversation in marble bathhouses. Studying artifacts in museums and walking ancient streets helps me sense the textures and rhythms of her world—and my hope is that readers sense them too.
What sort of research did you do, and was there an especially interesting tidbit you included?
One favorite resource is Biblical Archaeology Review. They reported on a small coin unearthed near
Jerusalem from the Jewish revolt of AD 67–71. Its inscription boldly anticipated a Jewish victory over Rome—a triumph that never came. That fragile piece of misplaced hope captivated me. I wove it into the opening scene of Obedient Unto Death, and it resurfaces in later books as a key clue. There’s something deeply satisfying about breathing story back into a forgotten artifact.
How did you learn to write?
Mostly by reading—constantly. Authors have unique styles, and over time, I learned from the ones I loved. I’ve attended writers’ conferences, filled shelves with books on structure and character arcs, and studied techniques for increasing tension and crafting strong openings. Writing is a lifelong apprenticeship. And it always circles back to the same advice: read, read, read.
Do you hear from your readers? What do they say?
Yes—and it never gets old. My newsletter community continues to grow, and thoughtful reviews on Goodreads and Amazon encourage me more than I can say. Readers tell me they’ve fallen in love with Sabina and appreciate a strong female protagonist navigating first-century Ephesus. I love hearing, “I didn’t see that twist coming!” But perhaps the most meaningful feedback is when readers say the stories helped them see early Christians—and familiar history—in a new light. If a mystery can both entertain and illuminate, I feel I’ve done my job.
What draws you to this time period?
My love of historical mysteries collided with my faith when I realized Roman-era novels rarely included Christian characters. Yet the New Testament pulses with drama, danger, betrayal, and a faith bold enough to defy an empire.
Who were the men and women willing to risk death rather than renounce their beliefs? Those questions wouldn’t leave me alone. When I couldn’t find the stories I wanted to read, I decided to write them.
Can you share a real-life event that inspired you?
A conversation with my son sparked something profound. He mentioned a friend who lost his faith after reading The Da Vinci Code. That moment showed me how powerful stories can be—not just to entertain, but to shape belief.
Authors like Francine Rivers, Taylor Caldwell, and Tosca Lee strengthened my faith through fiction. I began asking: if a secular mystery can unsettle faith, could a well-researched mystery strengthen it? That question became my assignment.
How do you come up with storylines?
I start with a cultural or religious tension point that won’t leave me alone and assign it to a character—often the victim. Then I ask: who has the most to lose if the truth comes out? In a mystery, that’s usually the killer. From there, I weave motives, red herrings, and emotional stakes around a beginning and an ending I already know.
How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?
Two novels in the Secrets of Ephesus series are published: Obedient Unto Death and Fortunes of Death. The third, Powers of Death, releases this August.
My favorite? Always the one I’m writing. The plotting, the scheming, the layering of clues—and the chance to dive deeper into history and the human heart—keep each new book fresh and exhilarating.
BOOK BLURB:
Winner of the Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award, Obedient Unto Death launches a gripping historical mystery series set in the perilous world of first-century Rome. In Fortunes of Death, fearless Christian sleuth Sabina returns—risking everything to expose murder, magic, and corruption beneath the empire’s glittering surface. With rich historical detail and powerful spiritual themes, author Liisa Eyerly delivers intrigue, danger, and hope in equal measure. Reviewer Deborah Anne raves: “Murder mystery—Intrigue—Love—Fellowship through Christ. This series has it all! Eyerly is wonderful! If you’re tired of boring—read this series! I love a good mystery!” Prepare to be hooked!
Crossriver Media: https://www.crossrivermedia.com/product/fortunes-of-death/
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Di2gyQ
Website: http://www.LiisaEyerly.com
Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/liisa.eyerly
Research—hands down. Writing gives me permission to chase questions most people might casually wonder about but never pause to explore. That curiosity has carried me to Italy, Greece, and Ephesus in modern-day Türkiye, where apostles once lived and preached.
Layer by layer, I reconstruct Sabina’s first-century world through everyday details: spiced wine paired with flamingo-tongue appetizers, vibrantly dyed tunics, the echo of conversation in marble bathhouses. Studying artifacts in museums and walking ancient streets helps me sense the textures and rhythms of her world—and my hope is that readers sense them too.
What sort of research did you do, and was there an especially interesting tidbit you included?
One favorite resource is Biblical Archaeology Review. They reported on a small coin unearthed near
How did you learn to write?
Mostly by reading—constantly. Authors have unique styles, and over time, I learned from the ones I loved. I’ve attended writers’ conferences, filled shelves with books on structure and character arcs, and studied techniques for increasing tension and crafting strong openings. Writing is a lifelong apprenticeship. And it always circles back to the same advice: read, read, read.
Do you hear from your readers? What do they say?
Yes—and it never gets old. My newsletter community continues to grow, and thoughtful reviews on Goodreads and Amazon encourage me more than I can say. Readers tell me they’ve fallen in love with Sabina and appreciate a strong female protagonist navigating first-century Ephesus. I love hearing, “I didn’t see that twist coming!” But perhaps the most meaningful feedback is when readers say the stories helped them see early Christians—and familiar history—in a new light. If a mystery can both entertain and illuminate, I feel I’ve done my job.
What draws you to this time period?
Who were the men and women willing to risk death rather than renounce their beliefs? Those questions wouldn’t leave me alone. When I couldn’t find the stories I wanted to read, I decided to write them.
Can you share a real-life event that inspired you?
A conversation with my son sparked something profound. He mentioned a friend who lost his faith after reading The Da Vinci Code. That moment showed me how powerful stories can be—not just to entertain, but to shape belief.
Authors like Francine Rivers, Taylor Caldwell, and Tosca Lee strengthened my faith through fiction. I began asking: if a secular mystery can unsettle faith, could a well-researched mystery strengthen it? That question became my assignment.
How do you come up with storylines?
I start with a cultural or religious tension point that won’t leave me alone and assign it to a character—often the victim. Then I ask: who has the most to lose if the truth comes out? In a mystery, that’s usually the killer. From there, I weave motives, red herrings, and emotional stakes around a beginning and an ending I already know.
How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?
Two novels in the Secrets of Ephesus series are published: Obedient Unto Death and Fortunes of Death. The third, Powers of Death, releases this August.
My favorite? Always the one I’m writing. The plotting, the scheming, the layering of clues—and the chance to dive deeper into history and the human heart—keep each new book fresh and exhilarating.
BOOK BLURB:
Crossriver Media: https://www.crossrivermedia.com/product/fortunes-of-death/
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Di2gyQ
Website: http://www.LiisaEyerly.com
Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/liisa.eyerly
Photo credits:
Author photo and book images: courtesy of Liisa Eyerly
Shekels: Pixabay/Ri Bhutov
Petra Jordan Treasure House: Pixabay/Chiem Seherin
