Picture a storyteller who swapped bank ledgers for spine-chilling suspense—meet Catharine Riggs! Born in the sun-kissed haven of Santa Barbara, California, Riggs crafts psychological thrillers that peel back the glossy veneer of coastal wealth. Her Santa Barbara Suspense series, starting with the electrifying What She Gave Away, has hooked readers with its twisty plots and morally complex characters. Ready to dive into a world where secrets are currency and revenge is never sweet?
Riggs’s journey from finance to fiction is as gripping as her novels. With a knack for spotting power dynamics—honed in boardrooms and classrooms—she infuses her stories with razor-sharp insight. Her debut novel, lauded by bestselling authors like Robert Dugoni, proves she’s a force in the thriller genre.
The Making of Catharine Riggs
Growing up in Montecito, a wealthy enclave of Santa Barbara, Catharine Riggs was surrounded by the opulence and secrets that would later fuel her novels. A graduate of UCLA with an MBA from Drake University, she carved a diverse career path as a business banker, adjunct college instructor, and nonprofit executive. Writing was always a passion, with unpublished manuscripts tucked away in drawers, but it wasn’t until later that she took the leap into professional authorship. Her fascination with the dark side of privilege, shaped by her hometown’s elite circles, became the heartbeat of her storytelling.
Riggs’s transition to writing wasn’t planned—she describes herself as a 'seat-of-the-pants' writer, letting characters like the devious Crystal Love emerge organically. Her banker’s eye for detail and educator’s knack for human behavior gave her a unique edge, turning her observations into page-turning suspense.
Catharine Riggs’s Unforgettable Stories
Riggs’s Santa Barbara Suspense series is a masterclass in psychological thrillers, blending dark humor, intricate plots, and characters at life’s crossroads. Her debut, What She Gave Away (2018), introduces Crystal Love, a loan analyst with a penchant for ruining lives, and Kathi Wright, a widow grappling with her husband’s mysterious death. Told in alternating voices, the novel explores revenge, banking fraud, and the toxic effects of denial in a wealthy coastal community. Critics praised its 'terrifyingly believable' narrative and quirky cast.
The sequel, What She Never Said (2019), shifts to Serenity Acres, a luxury retirement home where residents are dying under suspicious circumstances. Ruth Mosby, the VP of operations, teams up with an ex-detective to unmask an 'Angel' of death. Publishers Weekly hailed its high tension and dramatic climax, cementing Riggs’s reputation for clever suspense. Both novels, published by Thomas & Mercer, showcase her ability to weave social commentary—on wealth, appearance, and greed—into fast-paced mysteries.
Riggs’s style is distinctive: she favors unreliable narrators and flawed protagonists, revealing their pasts layer by layer. Her Santa Barbara setting, with its manicured lawns and hidden scandals, feels like a character itself. Fans of Patricia Highsmith and Daphne du Maurier will find echoes of their suspenseful influence in her work.
Why Catharine Riggs Matters
Catharine Riggs has carved a niche in the psychological thriller genre by exposing the shadows beneath affluence. Her novels resonate with readers who crave suspense with depth, offering a lens on societal pressures like image and privilege. Her ability to craft 'difficult' women—complex, flawed, and unapologetic—has earned her a loyal following and praise from outlets like Mystery Scene Magazine. By drawing on her Santa Barbara roots, she brings authenticity to her portrayal of elite enclaves, making her stories both thrilling and relatable.
As a latecomer to publishing, Riggs inspires aspiring writers to embrace their unique paths. Her work challenges the status quo, proving that new voices can shake up established genres. With a third novel in the works, her influence is only growing.
- Born: Santa Barbara, California
- Key Works: What She Gave Away (2018), What She Never Said (2019)
- Genre: Psychological Thriller
- Influences: Patricia Highsmith, Daphne du Maurier
Snag What She Gave Away and dive into Catharine Riggs’s thrilling world of secrets and suspense—you won’t put it down!