Kate Ross was an American mystery author best known for her Julian Kestrel series, a collection of historical detective novels set in Regency-era England. Her debut novel, "Cut to the Quick" (1994), introduced the sophisticated dandy-turned-sleuth Julian Kestrel and earned her the Gargoyle Award for Best Historical Mystery. Ross went on to write three additional full-length novels in the series—"A Broken Vessel" (1995), "Whom the Gods Love" (1996), and "The Devil in Music" (1997)—the latter of which won the Agatha Award for Best Novel. She also contributed two short stories featuring Kestrel, including "The Lullaby Cheat," later included in the anthology "Crime Through Time."
Before becoming a full-time writer, Ross practiced law as a trial attorney at Sullivan & Worcester in Boston. She held degrees from Wellesley College and Yale Law School, combining her legal expertise with a passion for historical fiction to craft intricate mysteries. Her works were praised for their meticulous period detail and engaging plots, blending the social intricacies of the Regency era with compelling whodunits. Though her career was cut short by her untimely death in 1998, Ross's Julian Kestrel series remains a beloved contribution to the historical mystery genre.