Picture a New York-born storyteller who weaves tales of intrigue against the glittering backdrop of Gilded Age Manhattan—meet Rosemary Simpson! With her knack for blending historical grit and gripping mysteries, Simpson has carved a niche in historical fiction, captivating readers with her vivid portrayal of 19th-century New York. Her Gilded Age Mystery series, led by the sharp-witted Prudence MacKenzie and ex-Pinkerton Geoffrey Hunter, brings the era’s opulence and underbelly to life.
From her global travels to her deep love for historical fiction, Simpson’s journey as a writer is as fascinating as her novels. Let’s dive into the life, works, and lasting charm of this American author who makes the past pulse with suspense.
The Making of Rosemary Simpson
Born in New York City, Rosemary Simpson was a wanderer from the start. By college, she had roamed the United States, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe, finding a second home in France. Her love for history bloomed early, sparked by Anya Seton’s Katherine, a novel she read until the pages frayed. After earning undergraduate and graduate degrees in French language and literature, Simpson turned her passion for storytelling into a career. Her global experiences and academic background infused her writing with a rich, authentic texture, grounding her mysteries in meticulously researched settings.
Rosemary Simpson’s Unforgettable Stories
Simpson’s Gilded Age Mystery series, launched in 2017 with What the Dead Leave Behind, is her crowning achievement. Set during the Great Blizzard of 1888, the novel follows heiress Prudence MacKenzie as she unravels a murder tied to her fiancé’s death, teaming up with Geoffrey Hunter to navigate a web of deceit. Critics praised its vivid depiction of New York’s elite and gritty underworld, with Kirkus Reviews calling it a “complex mystery with a twist.”
The series continues with Lies That Comfort and Betray (2018), where Prudence and Geoffrey hunt a Jack the Ripper-inspired killer, exposing the dark side of high society. Later novels like Death at the Falls (2022) and Death Takes the Lead (2024) showcase Simpson’s knack for weaving historical events—like Niagara Falls’ allure or the era’s political corruption—into suspenseful plots. Her standalone novels, The Seven Hills of Paradise and Dreams and Shadows, explore earlier historical settings, but it’s her Gilded Age series that shines, blending meticulous research with compelling characters and atmospheric tension.
Simpson’s style is immersive, balancing the elegance of the Gilded Age with its stark inequalities. Her heroines, like Prudence, defy convention, embodying resilience and intellect in a male-dominated world. Fans of Tasha Alexander and Anne Perry will find Simpson’s blend of historical authenticity and page-turning mystery irresistible.
Why Rosemary Simpson Matters
Rosemary Simpson’s work does more than entertain—it illuminates. Her novels peel back the gilded façade of 19th-century New York, revealing the social tensions, gender struggles, and political machinations of the time. By centering strong female protagonists, Simpson challenges historical narratives, offering a fresh lens on a well-trodden era. Her membership in Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Historical Novel Society underscores her influence in the genre.
Readers and critics alike celebrate Simpson for making history accessible and thrilling. Her ability to bridge fact and fiction has earned her a loyal following, with each new release cementing her reputation as a master of historical mysteries. Living near Tucson, Arizona, Simpson continues to craft stories that transport readers to a bygone world, proving that the past is never truly silent.
- Born: New York City
- Key Works: Gilded Age Mystery series, The Seven Hills of Paradise, Dreams and Shadows
- Influences: Anya Seton’s Katherine
- Current Residence: Near Tucson, Arizona
About Rosemary Simpson
Ready to step into the gaslit streets of Gilded Age New York? Snag What the Dead Leave Behind and dive into Rosemary Simpson’s thrilling world of mystery and history!