Photo: Erica Miner, award-winning author and former Metropolitan Opera violinist, crafts suspenseful tales inspired by the dramatic world of opera.
Discover How a Former Metropolitan Opera Violinist Creates Riveting Mysteries Set in the World of Opera
Award-winning author Erica Miner channels her experiences as a Met Opera violinist to craft the Julia Kogan Opera Mystery series, blending suspense, music, and vividly imagined backstage intrigue.
A ward-winning author Erica Miner, a former violinist with the Metropolitan Opera, offers readers a glimpse into the captivating and enigmatic world of opera through her writing. Based in Seattle, Erica’s remarkable career spans roles as an author, journalist, lecturer, and screenwriter. She draws from her 21 years of experience in one of the world’s most prestigious opera houses to craft her acclaimed Julia Kogan Opera Mystery series, published by Level Best Books. Erica’s debut novel, Travels with My Lovers, won the Fiction Prize in the Direct from the Author Book Awards. In addition to fiction, she writes reviews and conducts interviews for prominent arts publications while lecturing on opera and writing across the U.S. and abroad.
Erica shared insights into her literary journey during an interview with Reader’s House, reflecting on how her background in classical music enriches her storytelling. She explains that fictionalizing the opera world was a natural extension of her two decades immersed in it. “The onstage drama is fictional, yet it reflects real-world people and their dilemmas,” she says.
Her Julia Kogan mysteries blend music, suspense, and backstage intrigue. With Aria for Murder, a finalist in the 2023 Eric Hoffer Book Awards, and subsequent installments like Prelude to Murder, Erica introduces readers to the darker side of opera. Asked about her inspiration for setting a mystery series in this unique milieu, she shares, “An opera house is the perfect environment for mischief and mayhem. The dark hallways and back stairways seemed the perfect setting to dramatize nefarious events and develop them into murderous scenarios.”
Creating a believable mystery in such a specialized setting posed its challenges. Erica tackled this by drawing on her own experiences. “The mystery genre is the most difficult to write. My challenge was to craft an authentic story in a milieu that even opera aficionados know little about,” she explains. Her firsthand knowledge of the Met’s backstage culture helped her recreate its complexities with authenticity.
Each setting in the Julia Kogan series plays a critical role in shaping the atmosphere and tension of the mysteries. Erica contrasts the glamor and intensity of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City (Aria for Murder) with the breathtaking outdoor stage of the Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico (Prelude to Murder). Meanwhile, Overture to Murder takes readers to San Francisco’s historic War Memorial Opera House. “Each opera house has its own unique history, location, and ambiance,” Erica notes. “They all have mystery oozing from their pores.”
Erica’s career spans diverse writing disciplines, from fiction and screenwriting to arts journalism, each requiring distinct skills. She describes screenwriting as the most restrictive format, requiring concise descriptions, sharp dialogue, and a focus on action. In contrast, fiction allows for deeper character exploration and free-flowing creativity. Journalism, however, demands objectivity—a challenge for someone accustomed to life onstage. “As a former musician writing reviews of performances, staying impartial while appreciating the effort and courage required to perform is no easy task,” she admits.
Many aspects of Erica’s novels are rooted in real-life observations, even as her active imagination breathes life into fictional scenarios. The opera world is rife with conflicts—bruised egos, backstage rivalries, and diva meltdowns. While she refrains from directly replicating events, these elements form the foundation of her vivid storytelling. “I’ve witnessed juicy events that I couldn’t resist recreating fictionally,” she shares.
Female empowerment is another recurring theme in her books. Her protagonist Julia Kogan begins as a naïve newcomer to the Met but grows into a determined musician navigating a male-dominated world. “I wanted to communicate to readers that female musicians are holding their own,” Erica explains. Fiction allows her to create “female leads who embody not only artistic talent but the bravery I wish I had.”
When asked to advise aspiring writers, Erica advocates for persistence and preparation. “Keep a journal. Study your desired genres. Read the greatest writers in those fields. Take courses on fiction writing and connect with critique groups.” She insists that with perseverance and dedication, a writer can unlock endless possibilities.
With her evocative storytelling, Erica Miner not only entertains but also shines a light on the hidden complexities of the opera world. Her blending of suspense, music, and human drama continues to captivate readers, proving that behind the glamour of the stage lies a riveting world rich with stories waiting to be told.
