Barbara Cleverly is a highly regarded English novelist, known for her historical mystery novels. She was born in the north of England and graduated from Durham University. After completing her education, Cleverly pursued a career in teaching before transitioning to writing. She now lives in Cambridge, England.
Cleverly is perhaps best known for her Detective Joe Sandilands Mysteries series and the Laetitia Talbot Mysteries series. Her writing has been well-received and she has been the recipient of several prestigious awards. In 2004, she won the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Dagger award for her novel "The Damascened Blade."
In addition to her award-winning series, Cleverly has also authored a number of standalone historical suspense novels. These include "The Latin Hall of An Old Magic," which was inspired by a medieval Suffolk house where she once lived. She is known for her richly detailed and historically accurate settings, which have earned her a loyal following among mystery and historical fiction fans.
Cleverly has also raised a son and helped to parent five step-children. In her writing, she draws upon her experiences living in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, as well as her extensive research into the historical periods and settings she depicts in her novels. She continues to be a prolific and respected figure in the world of historical mystery fiction.