Bailey Cates is a well-known author who writes cozy mystery novels under her pen name, as well as under the names Bailey Cattrell and Cricket McRae. She has also written a standalone western mystery using the name K.C. McRae. Cates was born and raised in the western United States and earned degrees in English and philosophy from Colorado State University.
After completing her education, Cates moved to the Pacific Northwest, where she was inspired to write her Home Crafting Mysteries series. While living in the Pacific Northwest for twenty years, she tried her hand at various jobs including working as a driver's license examiner and a newspaper ad manager. However, she never found her true calling until she began writing novels.
Cates has a deep appreciation for the magic that exists in the world around us. She has studied philosophy, English, and history and has held a variety of positions ranging from soap maker to localization program manager for Microsoft. As a world traveler, she has gained a unique perspective on life and culture, which is reflected in her writing. Currently, Cates lives in Colorado, where she enjoys cooking, gardening, reading, biking, hiking, and golfing. When she's not writing, she can be found tending to her garden beds, baking, or playing with her alpacas and sheep. Cates believes that herbs have healing properties and often concocts teas and tinctures for her family and friends from the stash of herbs stored in her office. She is a dedicated writer who continues to create captivating mystery novels that keep her readers engaged and entertained.