Picture a Louisiana storyteller who swapped corporate ledgers for laugh-out-loud mysteries—meet Jana DeLeon! A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, DeLeon crafts cozy mysteries and romantic suspense novels brimming with Southern charm, quirky characters, and bayou intrigue. Her unique blend of humor and suspense, inspired by her childhood in Louisiana’s lush wetlands, has hooked readers worldwide.
From her breakout Ghost-in-Law series to the wildly popular Miss Fortune Mysteries, DeLeon’s stories transport you to small-town Louisiana, where ghosts meddle, alligators lurk, and heroines tackle mysteries with wit and grit. Let’s dive into the life and legacy of this bayou-born wordsmith!
The Making of Jana DeLeon
Raised in Carlyss, a speck of a town in southwest Louisiana, Jana DeLeon grew up surrounded by bayous, gators, and the rhythmic hum of nature. Her family’s camp, accessible only by boat, sat on a bayou off the Gulf of Mexico, where a rope hammock on a sprawling deck became her reading haven. Alongside her brother, she explored the wetlands in a flat-bottomed boat, studying birds, nutria, and alligators—adventures that later infused her vivid settings. Before writing, DeLeon thrived as a CFO, but the call of storytelling proved stronger. In 2006, she left the corporate world to pen her first novel, Rumble on the Bayou, launching a career that would captivate millions.
Jana DeLeon’s Unforgettable Stories
DeLeon’s novels are a masterclass in blending humor, suspense, and Southern flair. Her Ghost-in-Law series, starting with Trouble in Mudbug (2009), follows scientist Maryse Robicheaux as she navigates mysteries and a pesky ghostly mother-in-law, Helena, in the quirky town of Mudbug. Readers adore the series for its laugh-out-loud dialogue and heartwarming romance. The Miss Fortune Mysteries, kicking off with Louisiana Longshot (2012), stars CIA assassin Fortune Redding hiding out in Sinful, Louisiana, alongside her sidekicks, the Geritol Mafia. With 28 books and counting, the series is a fan favorite for its fast-paced plots and sassy heroines.
DeLeon also ventures into psychological thrillers with the Shaye Archer series, like Malevolent (2015), and paranormal romance in The Happily Everlasting Series. Her bayou settings, drawn from childhood memories, ground her stories in authentic detail, while her knack for eccentric characters keeps readers turning pages. Whether it’s a voodoo curse or a missing caterer, DeLeon’s tales balance cozy charm with thrilling twists.
Why Jana DeLeon Matters
Jana DeLeon’s impact lies in her ability to make readers feel at home in the bayous, laughing and gasping in equal measure. Her stories celebrate strong, witty women who solve mysteries while embracing their quirks, resonating with fans of cozy mysteries and romantic suspense. With over 6 million books sold, DeLeon has carved a niche where Southern culture meets page-turning adventure. Her transition from CFO to author inspires aspiring writers, proving it’s never too late to chase a dream. From Mudbug to Sinful, her worlds invite readers to savor the magic of small-town life and the thrill of a good mystery.
- Birthplace: Carlyss, Louisiana
- Key Works: Trouble in Mudbug, Louisiana Longshot, Malevolent
- Genres: Cozy Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Paranormal Romance
- Notable Achievement: New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
Ready to get lost in a Louisiana mystery? Snag Louisiana Longshot and dive into Jana DeLeon’s hilarious, suspenseful world!