Susan Cronk is a Missouri-born author whose writing career began in the 1990s with rural-life essays published in "The Fence Post", a magazine catering to western farming and ranching communities. She transitioned to book-length manuscripts in 2013 and has since published works across multiple genres, including nonfiction and cozy mysteries. Her notable works include "The End of Things at Dark Island", the first installment in her Cozy American Castle Mystery series, which explores American castle settings as unique backdrops for mystery narratives.
Cronk's writing is deeply influenced by her love of history, mystery, and adventure, reflected in her meticulous research process. She draws inspiration from archival documents, oral histories, and historical newspapers, often collaborating with museums, libraries, and academic institutions. Her nonfiction works focus on preserving regional history, exemplified by her ongoing Missouri Justice Project, which documents the histories of Missouri sheriffs. Additionally, she provides freelance research and oral history services to historians and organizations nationwide.
An avid reader, Cronk enjoys true crime, biographies, and action-adventure stories, citing authors like Clive Cussler, Agatha Christie, and John Grisham as influences. She continues to expand her literary repertoire, balancing nonfiction projects with her cozy mystery series while maintaining a keen interest in historical preservation.