NK Chats To…Esther Knight

Hi Esther, thank you so much for joining me and for inviting me onto your blog tour. Can you tell me about your book, Death At the School of Translators?

Of course! Death at the School of Translators is the first full-length novel in my Rebecca de Toledo mysteries. It’s set in 1193, when Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine recruits Rebecca, a Jewish healer from Toledo, and pairs her with Sir John of Hampstead, a returned crusader with a murky past, to investigate the murder of her spy. The trail leads them into the heart of Toledo’s famed School of Translators (a real institution), where scholars were translating Arabic and Hebrew into Latin—and where secrets lie buried deep within the manuscripts.

What were the challenges you found when writing a novel with historical elements and what advice would you give to someone wanting to write a novel in this genre?

The biggest challenge is balance. You want to be accurate without overwhelming the reader. I love research (sometimes too much!), from medieval medicine to Jewish customs to the exact layout of Toledo’s streets. But at the end of the day, the story has to come first. My advice: choose one or two historical details that matter to your characters and let those shine. Don’t feel you need to include every fascinating fact you uncover. Save some for your author’s notes or your newsletter.

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals?

The one constant in my writing life is my daily Zoom group of writers. We meet Monday to Friday at 10:00 a.m. my time and chat for an hour about our stories, marketing, newsletters, Instagram techniques, webinars we watched, etc. Then, from 11:00 a.m. until about 1:30 p.m., we go silent and work—cameras on, microphones muted. Just knowing others are there, writing alongside me, creates accountability and keeps me focused.

What’s your writing space like? 

On the right of my desk there’s a door opening onto a balcony, where I can see my neighbor’s house and a tall green “Christmas” tree. I keep things simple: a big monitor for my manuscript, a laptop for my daily Zoom writing group, and a mug of water within reach. A few framed artworks hang on the wall. One of them, El Yuntero, reminds me of my years in Argentina. It’s a light-filled, practical space that keeps me focused and inspired.

What’s your favorite word and why?

If you read my manuscript before it’s edited, you’d think my favorite word was “just.” I use it far too much when I write. During editing, I go through and cut almost all of those “justs” out.

If you were building a music playlist for this novel, which songs would you include?

I can’t listen to songs with lyrics when I write – since I start listening to the words and lose concentration. Instead, I listen to classical music when I write. Mainly Mozart, I love his horn concertos, and Beethoven’s symphonies.

From idea to finished novel, how long did it take you? How did you approach the research, writing and editing processes?

This novel took about two years. The spark was simple: what if Rebecca from Ivanhoe had her own adventures? From there, I knew I wanted a different tone, not action and adventure like Ivanhoe, but a cozy mystery, since that’s the genre I most love to read. Once I had that direction, I dove into research—academic sources, medieval chronicles, and even research trips to Toledo and southern Spain—to bring the world vividly to life. The next books will take less time, since I already have the setup and the characters.

What was your route to publication and what advice would you give to someone pursuing a similar path?

I chose indie publishing because it gives me creative freedom—and, truth be told, I didn’t have the patience to send my manuscript off to big publishing houses and wait while it languished in what they cheerfully call the “slush pile” (a mountain of unsolicited submissions). My advice: know your reasons. Indie publishing is rewarding, but it’s also demanding. If you thrive on independence and don’t mind wearing many hats—writer, marketer, designer—it can be a wonderful path.

Which three people (dead or alive) would you invite to a dinner party and why?

Dead: Maimonides, the great Jewish philosopher and physician, so I could tell him that women can think as well as men. Agatha Christie, to compare notes on amateur sleuths. Alive: Taylor Swift – I went to her concert with my daughter, and it was the best, I just want to thank her for it.

What came first for you – the plot or the characters?

I actually sort of answered this in Q6 : I started with the characters, since they’re going to star in many books to come.

Any other advice for new writers?

Write the story you’d want to read. Don’t chase trends, but work them into your story. And remember: first drafts are supposed to be messy. Give yourself permission to write badly—you can always polish later.

Would you rather…

See into the future or visit the past?

Visit the past. I’d walk Toledo’s streets in 1193 with my own eyes.

Move things with your mind or read minds?

Move things. Less nosy, more useful!

Sing or dance to your favorite song for the rest of your life?

Sing. I love singing and suck at it.

Have money or power?

Money. Money gives you power.

Endless summer or winter?

Summer—give me Andalusian sunshine.

Tea or coffee?

Tea. Green tea.

Movie or book first?

Book. Always.

Paperback or eBook?

eBook. I love having access to my entire library on my phone.

Magical powers here or live in a magical place without powers?

Magical powers here.

About Esther Knight –

Esther Knight writes historical mysteries featuring a bold heroine who challenges the norms of her time.

Say hello to Esther on Instagram, Goodreads and Facebook.

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About  Death At the School of Translators,  A Rebecca DeToledo Medieval Mystery – 

Ivanhoe meets Phryne Fisher in this medieval adventure of a woman sleuth.

Toledo, 1193: A city of scholars, secrets, and simmering tensions. When Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine’s Jewish spy is found dead, whispers of treachery reach all the way to England.

Rebecca DeToledo, a gifted healer and wealthy Jewish heiress, arrives under royal orders to investigate at the School of Translators. Her mission quickly turns perilous as she faces threats to her life and a sudden battle over her inheritance.

Assigned to guard her is Sir John of Hampstead, a disillusioned crusader burdened with knowledge that could threaten King Richard’s release from captivity. Forced into this partnership, he must protect Rebecca while grappling with his own orejudices.

As they navigate Toledo’s complex alliances, where Christians, Jews, and Muslims coexist in fragile peace, they uncover a web of secrets reaching deep into the cathedral. Can Rebecca and John unearth the truth before they become the next targets?

For fans of historical sleuths, slow-burn tension, and secret missions cloaked in royal intrigue.

Death At the School of Translators, A Rebecca DeToledo Medieval Mystery was released in September 2025. Click to buy on Amazon UK and Amazon US. 

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Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.