Carolyn McCray

Carolyn McCray is a bestselling author who writes historical thrillers, mysteries, and action-adventure novels. She is actually a pen name of American author Cristyn West, who grew up in San Francisco and has always had an overactive imagination. McCray has parlayed her creativity into a successful writing career, with a focus on historical thrillers. She also enjoys exploring other genres such as horror and romance.

Although McCray may not be as well-known as some other celebrity authors, she has achieved significant success in the literary world. With nearly 700,000 books sold, she has established a dedicated fanbase and a reputation for delivering gripping and suspenseful stories. McCray has secured a seven-book contract with Amazon's mystery and thriller imprint, Thomas & Mercer, and was also one of the eight books featured during the inaugural launch of Amazon's new Serial program (9th Circle). She currently resides in the Pacific Northwest, where she continues to write and create captivating stories for her readers.

McCray's writing journey has been unique and fascinating. She originally set out to become a veterinarian, but her path took a surprising turn when she discovered her passion for storytelling. Raised in the beautiful Napa Valley, McCray spent her childhood exploring her imagination and creating spooky adventures, even going as far as building life-sized recreations in haunted barns. These early experiences undoubtedly helped shape her writing style and her ability to craft thrilling and chilling tales.

McCray's popular series include the Betrayed series, as well as standalone novels like Plain Jane: A Patterson-style thriller with a dash of Hannibal and 30 Pieces of Silver: An Extremely Controversial Historical Thriller. Her books have captivated readers with their suspenseful storylines and engaging characters, earning her a place among the top authors in her genre. Despite her success, McCray remains humble and committed to her craft, continually pushing herself to deliver captivating stories that resonate with her readers.