Catherine Lee Bio

Catherine Lee is an Australian crime fiction author who writes gripping mysteries and thrillers with a topical edge. She is best known for her Detective Charlie Cooper series, where she combines compelling murder investigations with contemporary issues that leave readers thinking about the story long after the mystery has been solved. 

From Reader to Crime Writer 

Catherine’s writing journey began after a chronic illness forced her to step away from full-time work. This gave her the opportunity to return to reading after years of being too busy and reignited a lifelong love of storytelling, inspiring her to begin writing her own novels. She briefly considered writing romance but quickly discovered that crime fiction was where she belonged. Not too long after, Homicide Detective Charlie Cooper was born. 

Catherine Lee First Book

Lee’s debut novel, Dark Heart, took five years to write, but the second, Dark Past, came together in less than half that time. Before long, one book grew into an extensive catalogue. Today, Catherine Lee is the author of the Detective Charlie Cooper series, the Bonnie Hunter Thrillers and the Getaway Bay Mysteries. She has sold more than half a million copies of her books worldwide. 

Lee’s novels are known not only for their fast-paced plots and memorable characters but also for exploring real-world topics that add depth to every story. She weaves issues such as cyberbullying, genetic therapy, ancestry, and cellular memory into her mysteries, giving readers far more than a traditional detective story. 

Writing with Bill Duncan

In 2018, Catherine Lee met fellow crime writer Bill Duncan at an independent writer’s group in Sydney. A shared passion for storytelling quickly developed into a personal and creative partnership, which has seen them travel extensively and write together, creating new characters and thrilling mysteries for readers who enjoy Australian crime fiction. 

The collaboration between Catherine Lee and Bill Duncan has introduced readers to heroines such as Bonnie Hunter and Eden Cross, while continuing to build on the Detective Charlie Cooper world. 

Writing as Grace York

Catherine Lee also wrote under the pen name Grace York, allowing her to explore new characters, settings, and storytelling styles while staying true to her love of crime writing. 

The Grace York novels feature strong female leads, high-stakes investigations, and gripping plots that blend elements of mystery, crime, and thriller. While each book has its own distinctive voice, readers can expect the same engaging storytelling and page-turning pace that they know from Catherine’s writing.