Dana Cameron (author)

Dana Cameron (born 1965) is an American archaeologist, and author of crime fiction.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Dana Cameron began her professional career as an historical archaeologist specializing in British and New English cultural history from 1607-1760. She presently lives in Beverly, Massachusetts.

It was her experiences in the field that led her to write the first of her Emma Fielding archaeology mysteries, Site Unseen, published in 2002. Five more novels followed in the series, and the sixth, Ashes and Bones, won the 2007 Anthony Award for Best Paperback Original. Her first short story, “The Lords of Misrule,” an historical mystery set in 1720s London, was also nominated for the 2007 Anthony for Best Short Story.

The archaeology mysteries feature amateur sleuth Professor Emma Fielding and all are set in fictional towns in New England, with the exception of Grave Consequences, which takes place in the southeast of England. Each novel features some aspect of archaeological research and considers how the past and the present are enmeshed.

Cameron’s professional affiliations include the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime (she served on the board and as Vice President and President of the New England Chapter), The Femmes Fatales (a circle of writers including Donna Andrews, Charlaine Harris, Julie Wray Herman, Toni L.P. Kelner, Marlys Millhiser, Kris Neri, Mary Saums, and Elaine Viets), and the American Crime Writers League.

Novels:

Site Unseen (2002)Grave Consequences (2002)Past Malice (2003)A Fugitive Truth (2004)More Bitter Than Death (2005)Ashes and Bones (2006)

Short stories:

“The Lords of Misrule,” in Sugarplums and Scandal (2006)“The Night Things Changed,” in Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (forthcoming, 2008)

External links: [http://www.danacameron.com Dana Cameron’s official web site] [http://www.femmesfatalesauthors.com Femmes Fatales official web site]

Related publications:

Sacks, Pamela H. (November 9, 2007) “Mavens of mystery: New England authors gather at Crime Bake Mystery Conference” in Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Gillette, Christine (September 23, 2005) “Woman of Mystery: Beverly writer releases fifth book centered on archaeologist” in The Salem News.