Rene Denfeld

Rene Denfeld is the bestselling author of award-winning novels THE ENCHANTED (2014), THE CHILD FINDER (2017), THE BUTTERFLY GIRL (2019), SLEEPING GIANTS (2025) and THE TALKING BONE (2026). Margaret Atwood has called her writing "astonishing."

Rene’s novels explore themes of survival, resiliency and redemption, inspired by her work in justice. Rene was the Chief Investigator at a public defender’s office and has worked hundreds of cases including exonerations. She was awarded the Break The Silence Award in Washington, DC in 2017 for her social justice work, and named for heroism of the year by the New York Times.

Rene is an accomplished speaker who loves connecting with others. She lives in Portland, Oregon, where she is the happy mom of three kids adopted from foster care.

USA Today Bestseller Author

Winner of the prestigious French Prix award

#1 Book of the Year, the Oregonian

Finalist for the 2014 Flaherty First Novel Prize

Finalist for the Connecticut Book Prize

Top #5 Books of the Year, Powell’s Books

Indie Next Pick

Amazon Book of the Month

ALA Excellence in Fiction Award

Foyles Best of 2014

Harper Collins Canada #1 Fan Choice

Waterstones Book Club Pick

Longlist for the 2015 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction

IMPAC longlist International Dublin Literary Award

A New York Times Hero of the Year for her social justice work

Recipient of the National Break The Silence Award