Deborah J. Ledford is an accomplished American author, well-known for her mystery thrillers and police procedural novels. Some of her most renowned works include the novels "Smoky Mountain Inquest," "Eva Lightning Dance," and the Steven Hawk & Inola Walela book series. She has received numerous accolades for her writing, including being an Agatha Award Winner and a two-time nominee for the Anthony Award in the Best Audiobook Category.
Ledford's exceptional writing skills have also earned her three nominations for the Pushcart Prize. Her award-winning stories have been featured in various print publications and literary and mystery anthologies. In addition to her writing, Ledford is also a former Arizona State University adjunct professor for The Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. Currently, she serves as the President and Producer for the independent media company, IOF Productions Ltd.
Part Eastern Band Cherokee, Ledford spent her summers growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina, where her Smoky Mountain Inquest book series is set. She has a deep connection to the region and its culture, which is reflected in her writing. Ledford's first series, the Smoky Mountain Intrigue Native American police procedural series, includes the titles "CAUSING CHAOS," "CRESCENDO," "STACCATO," and "SNARE," which is a Hillerman Sky Award Finalist and New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards Finalist.
Ledford's more recent works include the Eva "Lightning Dance" Duran series, with the books "REDEMPTION" and "HAVOC." These Native American novels of suspense are set in Northern New Mexico and on the Taos Pueblo Reservation. She is a member of various professional organizations, including International Thriller Writers Association (ITW), Sisters in Crime National (SinC), Crime Writers of Color (CWoC), and Mystery Writers of America (MWA). Ledford is also a past-president of Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths (AZ) Chapter, 2012-2013. She currently resides in the Phoenix, Arizona area with her husband and their Ausky.