Picture a British storyteller who conjures magic and mystery from the shadows of history—meet Rebecca Alexander! A former psychologist with a knack for unraveling the human mind, Alexander traded clinical work for crafting novels that blend crime, fantasy, and the eerie allure of superstition. Her debut, The Secrets of Life and Death, launched a career that’s as captivating as the haunted cottages and ancient wells in her stories.
Born in Malta and raised on England’s south coast, Alexander’s life is as colorful as her fiction. From raising six children to living in a 300-year-old haunted cottage in Devon, she’s no stranger to weaving real-life intrigue into her work. Her stories pulse with psychological depth, making readers question what’s real and what’s enchanted.
The Making of Rebecca Alexander
Rebecca Alexander’s journey to authorship wasn’t a straight path. Trained as a psychologist, she spent years exploring the complexities of human behavior, even researching magical thinking for her MSc. But her love for storytelling, sparked by fairy tales and folklore in her teens, refused to stay quiet. In 2011, she pursued an MA in Creative Writing, and her debut novel, The Secrets of Life and Death, earned her a book deal after being a runner-up in the 2011 Mslexia novel competition. Parenting six kids and homeschooling didn’t slow her down—instead, it fueled her ability to juggle chaos and creativity.
Her background in psychology and fascination with superstition shape her unique voice. Whether it’s a 16th-century sorcerer or a modern archaeologist, Alexander’s characters grapple with the blurred line between science and magic, reflecting her own curiosity about what drives people to believe in the impossible.
Rebecca Alexander’s Unforgettable Stories
Alexander’s novels are a masterclass in blending genres. Her Secrets series—The Secrets of Life and Death (2013), The Secrets of Blood and Bone (2014), and The Secrets of Time and Fate (2016)—weaves historical fantasy with contemporary thrills. Set against the backdrop of 16th-century sorcery and the chilling legacy of Countess Elizabeth Báthory, these books explore whether magic can defy death. Readers are drawn to their mix of eerie folklore and psychological tension.
Her Sage Westfield series, starting with A Baby’s Bones (2018), shifts to crime with a supernatural edge. Archaeologist Sage Westfield uncovers a 400-year-old mystery involving a woman and newborn’s bones, only to face a modern murderer. Its sequel, A Shroud of Leaves (2019), delves into psychopathy and buried secrets. Alexander’s Island Cottage series, like Secrets of the Cottage by the Sea (2022), embraces women’s fiction, blending emotional narratives with wartime drama on Morwen Island.
Her style is vivid yet grounded, with a knack for making the supernatural feel plausible. Themes of loss, resilience, and the clash between science and superstition run deep, reflecting her psychological roots. Whether it’s a haunted estate or a cursed artifact, Alexander’s settings are as much characters as her protagonists.
Why Rebecca Alexander Matters
Rebecca Alexander’s work resonates because it dares to ask big questions: What if magic were real? How do we confront the darkness within? Her novels bridge fantasy and crime, appealing to readers who crave both thrills and emotional depth. Her ability to ground the fantastical in psychological realism sets her apart, earning praise from outlets like the Daily Mail for her “finely observed, beautifully written” prose.
Beyond her books, Alexander inspires as a teacher of creative writing, encouraging others to embrace their stories. Her passion for folklore and history enriches modern fiction, making her a quiet but powerful force in the literary world. For fans of Elly Griffiths or Susan Hill, Alexander’s blend of mystery and magic is a must-read.
- Born: Malta, raised in England
- Key Works: The Secrets of Life and Death, A Baby’s Bones, Secrets of the Cottage by the Sea
- Fun Fact: Lives in a haunted Devon cottage with four chickens and a cat
Snag The Secrets of Life and Death and dive into Rebecca Alexander’s spellbinding world of crime and enchantment!