Teresa Dovalpage is a Cuban-born author and academic known for her novels, short stories, and plays spanning multiple genres, including mystery, literary fiction, and family sagas. She has published twelve novels and three short story collections, with works available in both English and Spanish. Her acclaimed Havana Mystery series, published by Soho Crime, includes "Death Comes in through the Kitchen," "Queen of Bones," "Death of a Telenovela Star," and "Death under the Perseids," blending culinary elements, Cuban culture, and detective fiction. Her novel "Queen of Bones" was named one of NBC News' top 10 books by and about Latinos in 2019.
Dovalpage's writing often explores themes of Cuban identity, exile, and cultural intersections. Her Spanish-language works have garnered significant recognition, including "Muerte de un murciano en La Habana," a runner-up for the Premio Herralde, and "El difunto Fidel," which won the Rincon de la Victoria Award in 2009. Other notable works include the coming-of-age novel "A Girl like Che Guevara" and the family portrait "Habanera." Her short story collections, such as "The Astral Plane," further showcase her versatility in capturing Cuban life and diaspora experiences.
Born in Havana, Dovalpage moved to the United States in 1996 and holds a PhD in Latin American literature from the University of New Mexico. She resides in New Mexico, where she teaches at New Mexico Junior College. Her upcoming novel, "Last Seen in Havana," continues her Havana Mystery series, further cementing her reputation as a distinctive voice in contemporary crime fiction with a Cuban perspective.