Deryn Lake is a highly regarded British author, best known for her captivating historical mystery novels. Writing under the pseudonym Deryn Lake, she has made a significant impact in the genre with her John Rawlings Mystery series. These novels, which include titles such as "Death in the Dark Walk," "Death at the Devil's Tavern," and "Death on the Romney Marsh," have helped establish her as a leading name in historical detective fiction.
Born in Ilford, Essex, Deryn Lake, whose real name is Dinah Lampitt, grew up with a strong interest in English and history. The daughter of a German immigrant father and an English-Welsh mother, she spent her childhood demonstrating a passion for literature and historical narratives. Encouraged by her father, she began writing her own short historical stories at a young age. Her family's move to an ancient country house in Chiswick further fueled her enthusiasm for history and architecture, providing her with a rich backdrop for her future stories.
After graduating from Regent Street Polytechnic, where she studied journalism, Deryn Lake held various jobs, including working as a columnist for The Evening News and The Times. It was during this time that she met her husband, Bill Lampitt, who was then an assistant editor at The Evening News. Her experiences in journalism helped refine her writing skills, preparing her for a successful career as a historical novelist. In addition to her John Rawlings Mysteries, Deryn Lake has also written popular historical romances, such as "The King's Women," "Sutton Place," and "Pour the Dark Wine." She currently resides near Hastings, East Sussex.