June Trop Inspires Readers With Her Miriam bat Isaac Mystery Series
Photo: June Trop, author of The Miriam bat Isaac Mystery Series, brings history to life through compelling characters and gripping plots.
The Creativity Behind Miriam bat Isaac’s Thrilling Adventures
June Trop shares her inspiration behind Miriam bat Isaac, discusses balancing history with fiction, and explores how figurative language and vivid details bring ancient Alexandria to life in her mystery series.
June Trop, an extraordinary storyteller and master of historical fiction, invites readers into the vibrant and dangerous world of first-century Alexandria in her remarkable Miriam bat Isaac Mystery Series. Her deep curiosity and passion for ancient history, coupled with an impeccable talent for weaving gripping narratives, have gifted the literary world with a heroine like no other—Miriam bat Isaac, a brilliant young sleuth inspired by the legendary Maria Hebrea, the founder of Western alchemy.
As an accomplished educator, June Trop honed her craft by captivating her students with the art of storytelling, a skill that now breathes life into her richly detailed novels. Her ability to balance meticulous historical research with the timeless themes of justice, morality, and human resilience has earned her a dedicated following. Through vivid imagery, compelling characters, and thought-provoking plots, Trop’s novels transcend mere entertainment, immersing readers in the fascinating complexities of an ancient world brought startlingly to life.
June Trop masterfully combines history and imagination, crafting unforgettable mysteries that transport readers to ancient Alexandria with vivid storytelling.
Through this exclusive interview in Mosaic Digest, June shares her process of rebuilding the past to create immersive fiction, her thoughtful approach to blending historical accuracy with narrative creativity, and a glimpse into the evolution of her unforgettable heroine. For fans of historical mysteries—or simply anyone seeking a literary journey unlike any other—Trop’s work is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Prepare to be transported across time and space, as June Trop masterfully guides us through Alexandria’s bustling streets and shadowed alleys, one suspenseful mystery at a time.
Miriam bat Isaac is inspired by the legendary Maria Hebrea. What drew you to her as the basis for your heroine?
I’ve modeled my heroine, Miriam bat Isaac, on the woman known as Maria Hebrea, who probably lived in Alexandria, Egypt during the first century CE. When I encountered a reference to her work in a course on the historical development of concepts in chemistry, I wondered how a Jewish woman from Alexandria became the legendary founder of Western alchemy and held her place for 1500 years as the most celebrated woman of the Western World.
Although the tradition among all the crafts and mystical cults was to guard the secrecy of their work, persecution was a real risk for alchemists, who could be accused of and summarily executed for conspiring to debase the currency. Accordingly, except for her inventions, which were recognized hundreds of years after her time, little is known about the woman we refer to as Maria Hebrea. And so, I was free to name her Miriam bat Isaac and invent a personhood just for her.
“I wondered how a Jewish woman from Alexandria became the legendary founder of Western alchemy.” – June Trop
How do you balance historical accuracy with fictional storytelling?
Scholars may disagree about the causes of the Alexandrian riots, but they agree on the many factual aspects of this well-studied setting. Aside from the setting, however, the characters and plot are entirely fictitious. Fortunately, regardless of the setting, there’s no shortage of human weaknesses and conflicts to propel a story.
The Miriam bat Isaac series transports readers to ancient Alexandria. How do you bring that world to life?
I use details and figurative language to bring that ancient world to life.
Scholars have studied first-century CE Alexandria as a vibrant intellectual center. And so, I have access to details about every aspect of its natural, political, cultural, and architectural life. Accordingly, instead of mentioning a grove of trees, I can depict a grove of silver-barked olive trees; instead of being distracted by a flock of birds, Miriam can be distracted by a flock of twittering sand martins on wing to the beach.
Secondly, I use figurative language to make my readers feel as if they’re there. Figurative language enables me to set an emotional tone so readers can connect with the story and its characters. For example, I convey a sense of trouble with this statement: “The old fart’s eyes were drilling into me. I shouldn’t have risked coming.” At the same time as setting an emotional tone, figurative language enables the readers to create the images that make sense to them.
What can readers look forward to in Miriam’s latest adventure, and how do you see her character evolving in future books?
As Miriam matures, she takes on cases that are morally more complex. As a child during the Alexandrian riots, she developed a commitment to protecting the innocent and advancing justice. In her more recent cases chronicled in The Deadliest Deceptions and The Deadliest Returns, Miriam wrestles with what constitutes justice for the culprit as well as the victim. Given the severity of punishment under Roman law, she is likely to consider the culprit’s intentions and capacity to still do good when deciding whether to report him to the magistrate.
My latest books, collections of Miriam bat Isaac short stories and novelettes, provide you with an escape. If, like Miriam, you thrive on uncovering the guilty longings, secrets, lies, and evil deeds of others, then let her lead you through the haunted alleys as well as the splendid boulevards of Alexandria to confront its shrill parade of macabre creatures. I hope you’ll join me there.
With gratitude, June Trop
