Kate Kingsbury

Kate Kingsbury is the pen name of British novelist Doreen Roberts Hight, who is known for her cozy mystery novels. She also writes mysteries under the names Rebecca Kent and Allison Kingsley, and romance novels under her birth name of Doreen Roberts. Born in London, England, during World War II, Kingsbury spent much of her childhood in air raid shelters and schools, where she developed her storytelling skills to comfort those around her. Her first story was published in a British national newspaper when she was just eight years old.

Before becoming a novelist, Kingsbury worked in various fields, including offices, restaurants, and as an executive manager, office manager, accountant, receptionist, and salad maker. She even worked with computers when they first became available. It was after the birth of her son in 1968 that Kingsbury's interest in writing was renewed. She published her first manuscript in 1987, marking the beginning of her new career as a novelist.

Kingsbury's writing is inspired by her life experiences and her love for history. Her "upstairs/downstairs" mysteries, such as the Pennyfoot Hotel Mysteries and the Manor House series, are set in Edwardian England and during World War II, respectively, and appeal to fans of Downton Abbey. Her new contemporary series, The Misty Bay Mysteries, features an English tearoom on the Oregon coast, where she currently resides with her husband, Bill, and their feisty chihuahua mix, Bella. The first book in the series, In Hot Water, will be released on October 12th, 2021.