Sometimes the best way to know a person is by asking questions, so let’s meet Alex.

What is your name?
Alex Graham.

How old are you?
31.

What is your profession?
I’m a mining geologist. People seem to think that it’s an unusual job for a woman, but I’ve never really thought of it that way. My dad’s a mining geologist too, and from the time I could walk he took me in the field with him, so it felt like the most natural career choice in the world to me.

Do you have a significant other?
Maybe. I’ve been dating someone for about 10 months now, and it’s starting to get serious. But we live in different cities and I travel a lot, so it’s been challenging.

What is his name?
Eric Keenan.

What is his profession?
He’s an emergency room doctor in the town of Nelson, British Columbia. That’s where we met actually – not exactly the usual first date!

Any children?
No.

Do you have any sibling(s)?
No. I’ve sort of adopted a few siblings along the way, friends who have become as close as family, especially Tracey Caminski and Mosi Ongeti.

Cats, dogs or other pets?
I had a dog when I was growing up, but I couldn’t possibly take care of one now. Tracey’s Labradoodle Barney can be counted on for cuddles and face-licks though, and he’s always up for a long walk with me.

What town do you live in?
Vancouver, Canada. There’s nothing like living on the West Coast, but I do miss the Rocky Mountains near Calgary, which is where I grew up.

House or building complex?
I managed to buy a condo a few years back, just before the housing prices went crazy.

Do you rent or own?
My place is on the 23rd floor of one of the mega-towers perched on the edge of downtown Vancouver.

What is your favorite spot in your house?
I have a comfy chair in the corner of my living room with a fireplace on one side and an oversized window on the other. With its view of the Vancouver skyline and the mountains, it’s the perfect spot for morning coffee or a glass of wine.

Who is your best friend?
Tracey Caminski.

Amateur sleuth or professional?
Sleuth? Not me. I’m a geologist, not a detective. I did get pretty involved in the Slocan Valley investigation last year, and of course, there’s the South American mine I was looking into recently. But mostly it’s a matter of being in the right place at the right time – or maybe the wrong place at the wrong time!

Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
Sometimes I’m alone in the field, but usually there are other geologists or miners, like Mosi Ongeti, working with me. And then there’s Eric and Tracey – they were both involved with the mess in Brazil. But when it’s time to call in the big guns, Nate Taylor, a cop with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, has really come through for me.

Favorite meal?
Lasagna, with loads of cheese and a tomato sauce that’s been simmering all day. My mom used to make it like that, but even though I’ve tried, I haven’t yet been able to match it. Of course, I don’t spend much time in the kitchen! I’m far more likely to grab something ready-made from the market or head to a nearby restaurant, than to cook a meal for myself.

Favorite dessert?
Chocolate.

Favorite hobby?
Most of what other people call hobbies – hiking, camping, travel – are part of my job. I can’t say I really have much in the way of a hobby, except reading. I love a good mystery.

Favorite vacation spot?
Anywhere in Europe, but I’m especially partial to Paris.

Favorite color?
Blue.

Favorite author?
Elizabeth George.

Favorite sports team?
I don’t have one. The Vancouver Canucks are popular among my friends, and so are the Calgary Flames, but I can’t say that I’ve caught either team play hockey more than a couple of times. Even if I’m lucky enough to have TV when I’m travelling, I’m usually in a country where soccer is broadcast and that’s not a game I really enjoy.

Movies or Broadway?
Movies. Give me a bag of popcorn and a good action film, and I’m happy.

Are you a morning or a night person?
Morning, definitely. I’m often up and ready to work by sunrise, especially when I’m in the field.

In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
There’s really no such thing. Take this latest project in Brazil. I was in the office working on maps one day, and on a plane to São Paulo to scout out a mine the next. Basically, I go where the project takes me, and that depends entirely on our clients. But I like the unpredictable nature of my job and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Giveaway: Have you traveled for your job to different locations? Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Blue Fire. U.S. and Canada entries only, please. The giveaway ends July 30, 2018. Good luck everyone!

You can read about Alex in Blue Fire, the second book in the “Alex Graham” thriller series. The first book in the series is Thirst.

Tanzanite, a rare blue gem born in fire and revealed by lightning, is found only in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania. But now the death of a gem smuggler points to another possibility. A South American mine owned by Tabitha Metals may hold the find of a century. But why is it kept hidden from the world? Geologist Brian Graham can draw only one conclusion: the mine’s untraceable wealth is used to fund terrorism. And he must reveal the truth.

Brian heads to Colombia to check out mines there while his geologist daughter Alex and Tanzanian miner Mosi Ongeti start in Brazil. But their daring plan ends with a gunshot, and they are now pursued by the henchmen of a sinister, powerful arms dealer.

In a high-stakes race across two continents, Alex fights to expose the mine before the man behind Tabitha Metals can stop her.

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About the author
Katherine Prairie brings her own experience as an international geologist to the Alex Graham thriller series. Her debut novel THIRST was shortlisted for the 2017 Whistler Independent Book Awards. She served as the founding president of Sisters in Crime – Canada West, and she is a 2018-19 Crime Writers of Canada director. Visit Katherine at katherineprairie.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

All comments are welcomed.