Picture a restless adventurer turned storyteller, crafting pulse-pounding thrillers with fierce female leads—meet D.V. Berkom! This USA Today bestselling author has captivated readers with her action-packed novels, blending exotic locales, high-stakes drama, and resilient heroines. From living on a sailboat in Mexico to penning the beloved Kate Jones and Leine Basso series, Berkom’s journey is as thrilling as her stories.
With a knack for creating characters who kick butt and take names, Berkom has carved a niche in the thriller genre. Her love for spy novels, mysteries, and adventure fuels her page-turning plots, earning her a loyal fanbase and critical acclaim. Let’s dive into the life and legacy of this dynamic author!
The Making of D.V. Berkom
Raised in the Midwest, D.V. Berkom earned a BA in political science from the University of Minnesota. But the call of adventure was too strong—she swapped textbooks for a sailboat in Mexico, embracing a life of exploration. Years of cross-country moves and exotic travels shaped her worldview, infusing her writing with gritty realism and vivid settings. In 2005, she tried her hand at novel-writing and was hooked, channeling her love for genre fiction into stories about strong, relatable women.
Berkom’s lifelong addiction to spy novels, thrillers, and mysteries inspired her to create the female protagonists she longed to read about. Her early experiments with short stories and a satirical fantasy novel paved the way for her breakout success in the thriller world, proving that her restless spirit was destined for storytelling.
D.V. Berkom’s Unforgettable Stories
Berkom’s bibliography is a treasure trove of action and suspense, anchored by two iconic series. The Kate Jones Thriller Series, starting with Bad Spirits (2010), follows Kate, a quick-thinking heroine on the run from a ruthless drug lord in Mexico. This fast-paced novella, originally an online serial, hooked eBook fans with its breakneck action and vivid Mexican backdrop. Sequels like Dead of Winter and A One Way Ticket to Dead cemented Kate’s status as a fan favorite.
In 2012, Berkom unleashed the grittier Leine Basso Thriller Series with Serial Date. Leine, a former assassin with a complex past, battles traffickers, terrorists, and her own demons. Books like The Body Market and A Plague of Traitors showcase Berkom’s knack for weaving timely issues like human trafficking into heart-pounding narratives. Her prose is sharp, her dialogue biting, and her settings—from Seattle’s shores to the Yucatán jungle—leap off the page.
Recently, Berkom ventured into new territory with the Claire Whitcomb Western Series (Retribution, Gunslinger, Legend), proving her versatility. Her style blends relentless pacing with emotional depth, creating heroines who are tough yet human, resonating with readers who crave action with heart.
Why D.V. Berkom Matters
D.V. Berkom’s impact lies in her ability to craft female leads who are more than stereotypes. Kate Jones and Leine Basso are flawed, fierce, and unforgettable, filling a gap in a genre often dominated by male heroes. Fans and critics, from New York Times bestselling authors to Amazon reviewers, praise her for delivering thrills with authenticity. Her focus on issues like human trafficking adds weight to her stories, sparking conversations while keeping readers on edge.
With over twenty books and a growing fanbase, Berkom’s legacy is one of empowerment and escapism. She’s a beacon for aspiring authors, showing that a bold voice and a love for adventure can resonate worldwide. Her stories remind us that women can be the heroes of their own high-octane tales.
- Key Series: Kate Jones Thrillers, Leine Basso Thrillers, Claire Whitcomb Westerns
- First Book: Bad Spirits (2010)
- Current Home: Pacific Northwest, with husband Mark
Ready for a wild ride? Snag Bad Spirits or Serial Date and dive into D.V. Berkom’s thrilling world of badass heroines and heart-stopping action!