María Duenas is a highly regarded Spanish writer, known for her unique and innovative approach to historical fiction. She was born in Puertollano, Spain in 1964 and is the second oldest of eight siblings. Duenas is currently a professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Murcia, where she has been teaching for many years. In addition to her academic career, she has also worked as an academic author and has contributed to various educational, cultural, and editorial projects.
Duenas achieved great success in 2009 with the publication of her first novel, El tiempo entre costuras, which was later published in English as The Time in Between and The Seamstress. This historical espionage novel became a bestseller in Spain, selling over a million copies and being translated into more than 25 different languages. The novel's success established Duenas as one of the leading writers within her field and brought her international recognition.
In addition to her academic writing, Duenas has also published a number of short stories and is currently working on her second novel. She is married to Manuel Ballesteros, who is also a professor, and they have two children. The family resides in Cartagena, Spain. With her unique storytelling and perceptive approach to historical fiction, Duenas continues to captivate readers and establish herself as a prominent voice in Spanish literature.