Elly Griffiths is the pseudonym of English author Domenica de Rosa. She is well-known for her crime fiction novels, which are often inspired by her own life and experiences. Griffiths' love for archaeology, in particular, is evident in her work, with her first series featuring Ruth Galloway, an archaeologist as the main character. This interest in archaeology comes from her husband, who is an archaeologist himself, and her aunt who would share tales of myths and legends from the Norfolk coast when Griffiths was a child.
Griffiths' family plays a significant role in her life and work. She has two children with her husband and they live together near Brighton, England. Her husband's career as an archaeologist has provided inspiration for her writing, and her children have also played a part in shaping her stories. In addition to her family, Griffiths' childhood memories of the Norfolk coast have also been a source of inspiration for her work.
Before publishing under the name Elly Griffiths, Griffiths wrote books under her real name, Domenica de Rosa. However, it was not until she published her first crime novel, The Crossing Places, that she gained widespread recognition and success. The Crossing Places marked a turning point in her career, and she has since published several more novels in the Ruth Galloway series, as well as other crime novels and standalone books. Despite her success, Griffiths remains grounded and continues to draw inspiration from her everyday life, writing in a garden shed accompanied by her cat, Gus.