Kathy Lynn
Emerson writes in several different genres
and under several different names,
including
Kate Emerson and Kaitlyn Dunnett.
As Kathy Lynn Emerson she is best known
for
historical mysteries, including the
Face Down Mystery Series
featuring sixteenth-century gentlewoman,
herbalist, and sleuth, Susanna, Lady Appleton,
the Diana Spaulding 1888
Quartet,
and her
Agatha-award-winning nonfiction,
How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries.
She has also
written children’s books and romance novels
WHAT’S NEW?
THE MISTRESS JAFFREY MYSTERIES
set in England in the 1580s
Murder in the Queen’s Wardrobe
available now in hardcover, trade paperback, and for
Kindle and Nook
first in a new series featuring Mistress
Rosamond Jaffrey, Elizabethan sleuth and spy
Murder in the Merchant’s Hall
available now in hardcover, trade paperback, and for
Kindle and Nook
Book Two in the series
Mistress Jaffrey is
Rosamond Appleton, illegitimate daughter of Lady Appleton’s late,
unlamented husband, Sir Robert. Now she’s all grown up, married, and
ready to solve crimes on her own. She was raised by Susanna Appleton, but she
inherited some of the worst traits of both her parents. At sixteen, she made an
impulsive runaway marriage, wedding her childhood playmate, Rob Jaffrey, once
known as “Mole” and the son of Lady Appleton’s steward and
housekeeper, Mark and Jennet Jaffrey. Rosamond got what she wanted, control of
her fortune, but now she’s wed to Rob for life. There is no divorce in
Elizabeth Tudor’s England.
In Murder in the Queen’s Wardrobe,
Rosamond is shocked to learn her husband, from whom she has been estranged for
some time, may be in danger. To help keep him safe, she is willing to go
undercover as an intelligence gatherer for the Crown. Why not, when both her
father and her stepfather did their share of spying when they were young? But
when another agent is murdered, Rosamond must add crime-solving to her other
responsibilities. With action that moves from the English court of Queen
Elizabeth the First to the Russia of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, Mistress
Jaffrey’s first outing is a unique combination of spy thriller and cozy
historical mystery.
Murder in the Merchant’s Hall continues Rosamond and Rob’s story
and adds a murder mystery involving Rosamond’s old friend Godlina Walkenden.
Murder in a Cornish Alehouse will be published in the UK on December
31, 2016 and in the U.S. on April 1, 2017. In this one, Rosamond and Rob travel
to Cornwall after her stepfather dies in suspicious circumstances. And there
are pirates.
If you’ve
never met Rosamond before, here are two links to introduce you. For her
appearance, as a girl, in Chapter One of Face
Down Beside St. Anne’s Well, click here
and for the short story, “Any Means Short of Murder,” which first
appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s
Mystery Magazine, click here and
learn how she and Rob ended up married and dealing with a murder all on the
same day.
For the real story behind the
fictional one in Murder in the
Queen’s Wardrobe, click here
For a bibliography of sources
used in writing all the books in the series, click here
Here’s what the reviewers have to say about Murder in the Queen’s Wardrobe:
Kirkus Reviews calls this “a diverting
series . . . with lots of twists and turns and Tudor tidbits.”
Publisher’s
Weekly describes Rosamond as “high-spirited, educated, and
independent” and praises the way I draw on my “solid knowledge of
the period to evoke vividly daily life in late 16th-century
England.”
Booklist praises
“first-rate storytelling, eye-opening details of the politics and customs
of the time, a taut and riveting plot, unexpected humor, and a charming and
admirable heroine.”
Library
Journal calls Rosamond “a feisty, fiercely independent, and
very likeable protagonist.”
Historical
Novels Review says Rosamond is “brave yet vulnerable” and
“portrayed as a genuine woman of the era.”
And about Murder
in the Merchant’s Hall:
Booklist says
“This fine new addition to Emerson’s popular historical series
offers a genuinely gripping mystery, an appealing protagonist, and an
eye-opening look at London life during the Renaissance.”
Publisher’s
Weekly says “evocative period detail and the warmth of
Rosamond’s byplay with Rob make for a satisfying read.”
Historical
Novels Review says “The mystery surrounding Hugo’s death is
intricate, well-plotted, and full of twists.”
Kathy Lynn Emerson’s other titles include
Mysteries, Nonfiction, Romances, and Children’s Books
Click on the quills below for more information
for Kathy
Lynn Emerson’s bio page
for a
list of titles available as ebooks
for a
complete list of Kathy Lynn Emerson’s books and short stories
for Kathy
Lynn Emerson’s upcoming appearances
for the
website of Kaitlyn Dunnett, Kathy’s "evil
twin"
for the
website of Kate Emerson, Kathy’s other
"evil twin"
Kate’s
pages also host the updated and expanded version of Kathy’s
Wives and Daughters: The Women of Tudor
England
to read
about over 2000 sixteenth century women, click here:
for
Kathy’s biography of her grandfather, Fred Gorton of Liberty, New York
(and
if you’re interested in other local and family history, including
backstory for the Diana Spaulding series
this
link will take you to Kathy’s Genealogy Page http://www.kaitlyndunnett.com/genealogy.html
)
to buy
autographed hardcovers or paperbacks of out-of-print titles
and
if you want to be up to date on Kathy/Kaitlyn’s latest writing news,
here’s the link to the Kaitlyn Dunnett Facebook
page: https://www.facebook.com/Kaitlyn-Dunnett-1490240871270635/timeline/ You don’t need to join Facebook to
see what’s posted there, although you do if you want to comment or leave
a message.
to send email to Kathy Lynn Emerson, click here: 
A Note from Kathy: I answer all emails as soon as I am able.
If your email bounces or if you have not received a reply within a day or two,
please try again. Most of the time email works well, but sometimes the
cyberspace gremlins gobble up messages. On occasion, some servers don’t
like to talk to each other. Unless I am out of town at a conference or
convention, you should hear from me promptly.