Catherine Lea

Catherine Lea writes gritty, atmospheric crime thrillers set against the haunting landscapes of Aotearoa New Zealand. Her novels follow DI Nyree Bradshaw — a tough, determined, and deeply human detective whose sharp instincts are matched only by the ghosts of her past.

Praised by bestselling author Elly Griffiths as “a truly compelling book, full of atmosphere and with an unforgettable main character,” Catherine’s work blends the tense twists of a modern police procedural with the emotional depth of a psychological thriller.

Catherine is the author of the DI Nyree Bradshaw series, including The Water’s Dead, Better Left Dead, and The Deeper the Dead. Each book can be read as a stand-alone mystery, but together they chart Nyree’s fraught journey through crime, corruption, and her struggle to protect the granddaughter she’s raising alone.

When not writing, Catherine organizes literary festivals in New Zealand and champions crime fiction that isn’t afraid to shine a light on dark corners. She has been compared to authors such as Ann Cleeves and Tana French, and is fast becoming a distinctive voice in international crime writing.