Picture an Australian storyteller who spins tales from medieval crusades to modern-day thrillers—meet Catherine Jinks! Born in Brisbane in 1963, Jinks is a literary chameleon, crafting fiction for kids, teens, and adults with a flair for adventure, humor, and heart. Her award-winning books, like the Pagan Chronicles and Evil Genius, have captivated readers worldwide, earning her a Centenary Medal for her contributions to Australian children’s literature.
With a knack for blending historical depth with quirky characters, Jinks’s stories are as diverse as her upbringing, which spanned Papua New Guinea and Sydney. Whether you’re a fan of ghost-hunting escapades or psychological thrillers, her work promises something for everyone. Let’s dive into the world of this literary powerhouse!
The Making of Catherine Jinks
Born on November 17, 1963, in Brisbane, Queensland, Catherine Jinks grew up in Papua New Guinea, where her father worked as a patrol officer. This vibrant, cross-cultural childhood sparked her imagination, planting the seeds for her storytelling. She later attended Ku-ring-gai High School in Sydney, a place so proud of her that they named their library after her in 2007. Jinks studied medieval history at the University of Sydney, graduating with honors in 1986, a passion that would shape her historical fiction.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Jinks worked as a journalist for Westpac Banking Corporation’s staff magazine. In 1992, she married Canadian journalist Peter Dockrill and briefly lived in Nova Scotia. By 1994, she was back in Australia, settling in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, where she lives with her husband and daughter, Hannah. Her early career juggling journalism and fiction laid the groundwork for her prolific output.
Catherine Jinks’s Unforgettable Stories
Jinks’s bibliography is a treasure trove of over thirty books, spanning historical fiction, sci-fi, crime, and children’s literature. Her Pagan Chronicles, a five-book series starting with Pagan’s Crusade, follows Pagan Kidrouk, a witty Christian Arab squire navigating the Crusades. Infused with Jinks’s medieval expertise and sharp humor, the series is a masterclass in historical adventure.
For younger readers, A Very Unusual Pursuit introduces Birdie McAdam, a ten-year-old monster hunter in Victorian London. This blend of spooky folklore and plucky heroism won the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award in 2014. Teens and adults flock to Evil Genius, a thrilling tale of a child prodigy entangled in a world of deception, showcasing Jinks’s knack for complex characters and twisty plots. Her recent crime thriller, Traced (2023), dives into the tense world of a COVID contact tracer, proving her versatility in tackling contemporary issues with gripping suspense.
Jinks’s style is marked by vivid settings, meticulous research, and a playful tone that keeps readers hooked. Whether she’s exploring medieval Jerusalem or dystopian futures, her stories balance humor, heart, and high stakes, making them accessible yet profound across age groups.
Why Catherine Jinks Matters
Catherine Jinks has left an indelible mark on Australian literature, particularly in children’s and young adult fiction. Her four Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards, alongside accolades like the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award and the Aurealis Award for sci-fi, highlight her storytelling prowess. Her work, translated into multiple languages, resonates globally, from the U.S. to Poland.
More than awards, Jinks inspires readers to embrace curiosity and resilience through her diverse characters—be it a streetwise squire or a monster-hunting orphan. Her ability to weave historical and modern narratives with wit and empathy ensures her stories endure, encouraging new generations to explore the power of imagination.
- Birth Date: November 17, 1963
- Key Works: Pagan Chronicles, Evil Genius, A Very Unusual Pursuit, Traced
- Awards: Four-time Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year winner, Centenary Medal (2001)
- Fun Fact: Her high school library is named after her!
Ready for an adventure? Snag Pagan’s Crusade or Evil Genius and dive into Catherine Jinks’s wildly imaginative world!