Picture a cozy mystery maestro who whisks readers to quaint British villages where antiques hide deadly secrets—meet Connie Berry! Born in Wisconsin to eccentric antique-collecting parents, Berry crafts captivating tales starring American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton. Her love for history, British culture, and intricate small-town dynamics shines through in her award-winning Kate Hamilton Mystery series, blending murder, romance, and historical intrigue.
With a knack for storytelling that feels like sipping tea by a crackling fire, Berry’s novels transport readers to misty Scottish islands and charming English hamlets. Her unique blend of cozy mystery and historical depth has earned her a devoted following and critical acclaim, including the IPPY Gold Medal for Mystery.
The Making of Connie Berry
Connie Berry was born in Racine, Wisconsin, to second-generation immigrants from the British Isles and Scandinavia. Raised by parents who ran an antiques shop—not to sell, but to justify their collecting obsession—Berry developed a lifelong passion for history and fine art. She earned degrees in English from DePauw University and The Ohio State University, studying abroad at the University of Freiburg in Germany and St. Clare’s College in Oxford, where she fell under the spell of the British Isles.
Berry’s writing journey began later in life, inspired by her love for Agatha Christie and the complex dynamics of small communities. Her academic background and fascination with British culture shaped her cozy mysteries, which avoid graphic violence and focus on intricate plots and character-driven storytelling.
Connie Berry’s Unforgettable Stories
Berry’s Kate Hamilton Mystery series is the heart of her work, featuring an American antiques dealer with a knack for solving crimes. Her debut, A Dream of Death (2019), introduces Kate on a Scottish island, unraveling a murder tied to a centuries-old mystery. The novel’s atmospheric setting and historical depth won the IPPY Gold Medal and an Agatha Award nomination for Best Debut.
Subsequent novels, like A Legacy of Murder (2019), see Kate in an English village, solving a Christmas-time murder involving a missing ruby, while The Art of Betrayal (2021) weaves Anglo-Saxon legends into a modern crime. The Shadow of Memory (2022), an Edgar-nominated work, explores a 60-year-old murder linked to a Victorian sanatorium. Berry’s festive novella, Mistletoe and Murder (2023), blends wedding chaos with a holiday mystery. Her upcoming sixth novel, A Grave Deception (December 2025), promises a 14th-century murder mystery with chilling modern parallels.
Berry’s style is a masterclass in cozy mystery: richly detailed settings, historical tie-ins, and puzzles that keep readers guessing. Her small-town dynamics—rival pubs, quirky locals, and buried secrets—echo Christie’s charm, while Kate’s sharp intellect and warmth make her a standout sleuth.
Why Connie Berry Matters
Connie Berry has carved a niche in the cozy mystery genre, offering readers an escape into worlds where history and human nature collide. Her ability to intertwine past and present mysteries resonates with fans of traditional British mysteries, earning praise from outlets like Library Journal and Publishers Weekly. Berry’s work celebrates the power of community, curiosity, and resilience, making her stories both comforting and thrilling.
As president of the Guppies chapter of Sisters in Crime and a member of Mystery Writers of America, Berry mentors aspiring authors, amplifying her impact. Her novels, published by Crooked Lane Books, continue to captivate readers who crave intelligent, heartwarming mysteries with a British flair.
- Born: Racine, Wisconsin
- Key Works: A Dream of Death, A Legacy of Murder, The Shadow of Memory, Mistletoe and Murder
- Awards: IPPY Gold Medal for Mystery (2019), Agatha Award Finalist (2019), Edgar Award Finalist (2022)
- Fun Fact: Berry lives with her husband and adorable Shih Tzu, Emmie, in Ohio and northern Wisconsin.
Snag A Dream of Death and dive into Connie Berry’s cozy, history-infused mysteries—you’ll be hooked by the first clue!