Katherine Howell is a highly regarded author from Australia, best known for her mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. She is particularly famous for her Detective Ella Marconi novel series. Prior to becoming a writer, Howell worked as a paramedic for fifteen years, a profession that she credits for providing her with a wealth of experiences and insights that she later incorporated into her books. During her time as a paramedic, Howell also completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in creative writing.\n \n Howell's writing career began in 2007 with the publication of her debut novel, Frantic, by Pan Macmillan. The book, which features a paramedic working alongside Sydney police detective Ella Marconi, was an instant success and was praised by the Sydney Morning Herald as a thriller with an adrenaline rush. Frantic went on to win the Davitt award in 2008 for the best crime fiction book, further establishing Howell's reputation as a talented writer.
Howell's subsequent books have also been highly successful, with her second book, The Darkest Hour, and third book, Cold Justice, both receiving critical acclaim and winning the Davitt award in 2011. Her fourth book, Violent Exposure, was described by Bookseller & Publisher as "arguably her best yet - four stars," while the fifth, Silent Fear, was chosen as a “Guaranteed Book You Can’t Put Down” by the national Get Reading! programme. Her latest book, Web Of Deceit, has also received rave reviews, with critics praising its well-written narrative, attention-grabbing action, and vivid paramedical detail.
Howell's works have been translated into multiple foreign languages and published all around the world. Her writing has been compared to that of Patricia Cornwell and Karin Slaughter, two of the most popular crime fiction authors. In addition to her writing, Howell also teaches editing and creative writing, and she lives in Queensland with her partner, who owns a bookshop.