Jess Lourey

Jessica (Jess) Lourey is a highly acclaimed American author, best known for her work in the mystery and crime fiction genres. She is most notably recognized for her Mira James Mysteries series, which combines humor and suspense, and has garnered a significant following among readers. The series has been well-reviewed and Lourey has been nominated for several prestigious awards, including the Agatha, Anthony, and Lefty awards.

Lourey's writing spans across various genres, and she has also gained recognition for her work in fantasy, thriller, and young adult genres. She has an Amazon Charts bestselling, Edgar-nominated, ITW Thriller, and Anthony Award-winning author status. Lourey's fascination with secrets, inspired by her upbringing in a house filled with them, is a recurring theme in her work. She has written nonfiction, children's books, YA adventure, magical realism, and crime fiction, showcasing her versatility as a writer.

Lourey is a retired professor of writing and sociology and a recipient of The Loft's Excellence in Teaching fellowship. She is a TEDx presenter and has given a TEDx Talk on the surprising inspiration behind her first published novel, MAY DAY. She is an active member of the literary community and enjoys teaching creative writing in international workshops.

Lourey currently resides in Minneapolis, where she cares for a rotating batch of foster kittens (and occasional foster puppies). She is an advocate for animals and often incorporates themes of compassion and kindness towards animals in her work. Readers can learn more about Lourey and her books by visiting her website, jessicalourey.com.
Murder-By-Month Mystery Books
# Title Year
1 May Day 2006
2 June Bug 2007
3 Knee High by the Fourth of July 2007
4 August Moon 2008
5 September Fair / September Mourn 2009
6 October Fest 2011
7 November Hunt 2012
8 December Dread 2012
9 January Thaw 2014
10 Death by Potato Salad 2014
11 February Fever 2015
12 March of Crime 2017
13 April Fools 2019
14 Monday Is Murder 2022
Salem's Cipher Mystery Books
# Title Year
1 Salem's Cipher 2016
2 The Adventure of the First Problem 2016
3 Mercy's Chase 2018
The Catalain Book of Secrets Books (as Jessica Lourey)
# Title Year
1 Seven Daughters 2014
2 The Catalain Book of Secrets 2014
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 The Toadhouse Trilogy 2012
2 Unspeakable Things 2020
3 Bloodline 2021
4 Litani 2021
5 Quarry Girls 2022
6 A Whisper of Poison 2024
Claudette's Interactive Children's Books
# Title Year
1 Leave My Book Alone! 2021
Getaway Books
# Title Year
1 Uncharted Waters 2022
2 His Happy Place 2022
3 Belle Mer 2022
4 Stockholm 2022
5 Catch Her in a Lie 2022
6 Shell Game 2022
Steinbeck and Reed Books
# Title Year
1 The Taken Ones 2023
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 Better Than Gin: A Coloring Book for Writers 2016
2 Rewrite Your Life: Discover Your Truth Through the Healing Power of Fiction 2017
Short Stories/Novellas
# Title Year
1 Beauty Is in the Eye of the Newt 2014
2 The Paper Frog 2014
3 Give Her a Hand 2014
Jess Lourey Anthologies
# Title Year
1 Resort to Murder 2007
2 Writes of Spring 2012
3 Shattering Glass 2020