Picture a storyteller weaving suspense and Southern charm from the misty North Georgia mountains—meet Carolyn Ridder Aspenson! A USA Today Bestselling author, she’s crafted 41 gripping novels, blending cozy mysteries, thrillers, and paranormal women’s fiction. With strong female leads and dialogue that pops, Aspenson’s tales, like her debut Unfinished Business, keep readers hooked from page one.
From small-town sleuths to psychic mediums, her stories pulse with intrigue and heart. Whether you’re a fan of edge-of-your-seat thrillers or cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, Aspenson’s world is one you’ll want to dive into!
The Making of Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
Born in Crown Point, Indiana, Carolyn Ridder Aspenson grew up with a love for reading and storytelling. Her passion led her to journalism, where she honed her craft in Atlanta’s suburbs, writing for newspapers and penning a monthly column for Northside Woman magazine. This sharp eye for detail and knack for narrative set the stage for her leap into fiction, where she found her true calling crafting mysteries that resonate with readers.
Carolyn Ridder Aspenson’s Unforgettable Stories
Aspenson’s debut, Unfinished Business, introduced her signature style: witty dialogue, resilient heroines, and plots that twist like a mountain road. This paranormal cozy mystery, a Reader’s Favorite five-star pick, follows psychic medium Angela Panther as she solves ghostly cases. It soared to the top 100 books sold on Amazon, cementing Aspenson’s place in the genre.
Her Rachel Ryder series, starting with Damaging Secrets, brings gritty suspense with Detective Rachel Ryder tackling small-town crimes. The third book, Overkill, earned a spot as one of Thrillerfix’s best thrillers of 2021. Meanwhile, the Lily Sprayberry Realtor Cozy Mystery series, like Deal Gone Dead, mixes Southern charm with murder and mayhem. Aspenson’s paranormal flair shines in the Witches of Holiday Hills series, where magic and mystery collide. Her realistic dialogue and intricate plots make every story a page-turner.
With 41 books across nine series, including Midlife Psychic Medium and Chantilly Adair, Aspenson’s versatility is unmatched. Her strong female leads—snarky, determined, and relatable—face danger with grit, earning praise for their authenticity and depth.
Why Carolyn Ridder Aspenson Matters
Aspenson’s impact lies in her ability to craft stories that feel like conversations with old friends. Her focus on relationships—between friends, family, or even ghosts—grounds her mysteries in emotional truth, resonating with readers worldwide. Her work, lauded as “compelling” and “intense,” has garnered a loyal following, with books hitting number one on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Her latest Rachel Ryder novel, Deadly Means, even earned an Edgar Award submission, a testament to her storytelling prowess.
Beyond her books, Aspenson’s love for dogs and her life as an empty-nester in North Georgia add warmth to her public persona. She’s not just a writer but a community builder, connecting with fans through her Sleuthing Women Facebook group.
- Key Works: Unfinished Business, Damaging Secrets, Overkill, Deal Gone Dead
- Awards: Reader’s Favorite, Rone Award finalist, Thrillerfix Best Thriller (2021)
- Fun Fact: She spoils two pit bull-boxer mixes who are “75 pounds of lap dog”!
Snag Unfinished Business or Damaging Secrets and dive into Carolyn Ridder Aspenson’s thrilling world of mystery and suspense!