Picture a British storyteller who brought the gritty, vibrant world of ancient Pompeii’s brothels to life—meet Elodie Harper! With her sharp journalistic eye and a passion for forgotten voices, Harper crafts novels that pulse with history and heart. From her bestselling Wolf Den trilogy to chilling thrillers, she’s a literary force bridging past and present with evocative prose.
The Making of Elodie Harper
Born in 1980 in West London, Elodie Lauren Geraldine Harper grew up as the daughter of retired actress Suzy Kendall. A love for storytelling took root early, fueled by her studies in English literature at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Before penning novels, Harper carved a path in journalism, working for the BBC, Channel 4 News, and later as a reporter for ITV News Anglia. Her short story ‘Wild Swimming’ won the 2016 Bazaar of Bad Dreams competition, judged by Stephen King, hinting at the gripping narratives to come.
Elodie Harper’s Unforgettable Stories
Harper’s debut historical fiction, The Wolf Den (2021), a #1 Sunday Times bestseller, immerses readers in the lives of enslaved women in Pompeii’s lupanar. The trilogy, including The House with the Golden Door (2022) and The Temple of Fortuna (2023), blends meticulous research with raw emotion, earning praise for its fierce, feminist lens. Her upcoming novel, Boudicca’s Daughter (2025), promises to reimagine another bold woman from history. Harper’s earlier thrillers, The Binding Song (2017) and The Death Knock (2018), showcase her knack for psychological suspense, set in eerie Norfolk landscapes. Her style—vivid, character-driven, and unflinchingly honest—makes ancient and modern worlds feel alive.
Whether exploring the resilience of Pompeii’s ‘she-wolves’ or the paranoia of a haunted prison, Harper’s themes of survival, agency, and human connection resonate. Her ability to center marginalized voices, especially women, sets her apart in historical fiction, while her thrillers keep readers on edge with atmospheric dread.
Why Elodie Harper Matters
Elodie Harper’s work redefines historical fiction by amplifying voices history often silenced—enslaved women, courtesans, rebels. Her Wolf Den trilogy, optioned for TV and sold in 20 territories, has sparked conversations about power and resilience, earning accolades like the Glass Bell Award. By blending scholarly rigor with accessible storytelling, she invites readers to see the past through fresh, empathetic eyes, making her a vital voice in modern literature.
About Elodie Harper
- Born: 1980, West London
- Key Works: The Wolf Den, The Binding Song, Boudicca’s Daughter
- Awards: Glass Bell Award, Bazaar of Bad Dreams winner
- Fun Fact: She’s married to Jason Farrington and has a son.
Snag The Wolf Den and dive into Elodie Harper’s gripping, history-soaked world!