Wendy Dranfield Books In Order

Publication Order of Dean Matheson Books

Publication Order of Detective Madison Harper Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Wendy Dranfield writes crime and thriller novels, and she has found a great deal of success with her work. She is the author behind the Detective Madison Harper series, which has been published in several different countries. Her books have been translated into Czech, German, and Slovak, so her stories have clearly connected with people who speak other languages.

Her talent has not gone unnoticed by the wider writing community. Her novels and her shorter fiction have been placed on shortlists and longlists for a number of different writing awards. This includes recognition from the International Thriller Writer Awards. These achievements show that her work stands out among many other books in her genre.

One of her real strengths is how she brings her characters to life on the page. She gives her protagonists, like Detective Harper, a sense of depth that makes them easy to care about. Her plots are well constructed and move forward at a good pace, which keeps readers interested from start to finish. She has a way of creating stories that feel engaging and worthwhile without ever overcomplicating things.

Wendy Dranfield keeps readers entertained across the globe by writing stories that are both exciting and easy to get lost in. Her books have been translated into multiple languages, which allows people from different cultures to enjoy her work. She does not try to follow trends or copy what is popular at the moment. Instead, she focuses on telling the kinds of stories that she herself would want to read.

Her entertainment value comes from her ability to build suspense without relying on cheap tricks. She creates twists and turns that feel earned, not forced, and her plots unfold in a way that feels natural. Readers often find themselves guessing until the very end, which is a sign of a well crafted mystery. At the same time, she does not sacrifice character development for the sake of action, so the emotional stakes feel just as high as the physical ones.

Looking ahead, Wendy Dranfield shows no signs of slowing down. She has more stories in the works that will continue to follow her own creative instincts. Her readers can likely expect new installments and fresh narratives from her in the years ahead. The future looks bright for this author, and her audience has plenty to look forward to.

Early and Personal Life

Wendy Dranfield did not start out as a full time novelist. She worked for a time as a coroner’s assistant, a job that gave her a close look at the darker sides of life. That experience helped shape her interest in crime fiction and gave her a realistic foundation for her later work.

Her path to becoming a writer came from a long standing love of reading. She developed an early interest in books, which eventually turned into a desire to create her own stories. Over time, she moved from being a reader to being a writer, and she has continued to grow with each new project she takes on.

Her growth as an author can be seen in the variety of work she produces. She writes standalone thrillers, series books, and shorter fiction, showing a range that many writers do not have. Her efforts have been recognized by the wider literary community, with nominations for awards like the Mslexia novel writing competition and the International Thriller Writer Awards. These honors point to a writer who has found her voice and continues to improve with every book she releases.

Writing Career

Wendy Dranfield writes crime fiction that includes police procedurals and psychological thrillers. She would initially publish two main series, one with Dean Matheson and one with Detective Madison Harper. She also publishes standalone novels.

The Dean Matheson series began in 2019 with three books released that year and the following year. The Detective Madison Harper series began in 2021 and fast grew to include multiple books released in the years following. She has earned award recognition, including a nomination for the ITW Award for Best E Book Original. She continues to write, so her catalog keeps expanding over time.

Gone to Her Grave

Wendy Dranfield’s novel Gone to Her Grave came out on April 13, 2022, through Bookouture. This book serves as the fourth entry in her Detective Madison Harper series. It represents another installment in that ongoing crime fiction collection.

Detective Madison Harper gets pulled from Thanksgiving preparations to investigate the death of Terri Summers, a care worker found dead in her home near Lost Creek, Colorado. The blood pattern at the scene shows that Terri knew the person who killed her. Madison notices something odd about how the body was arranged and finds a child’s bracelet with one red bead hidden in the woman’s hand. As Madison works on the case, she faces trouble within her team and discovers a connection to an old disappearance that hits close to home.

Many will find this story hard to put down once they start. The mystery unfolds at a good pace and keeps them guessing throughout. The detective work feels believable and the personal stakes add real weight to the plot. This book offers a solid crime read for anyone who enjoys a well crafted thriller.

The Birthday Party

Wendy Dranfield’s novel The Birthday Party was published on January 7, 2022. The book came out through Bookouture as a standalone thriller.

Kathy Hamilton drops off her daughter Charlotte at a party and leaves thinking the child is safe. When she comes back later, she finds that Charlotte has disappeared without a trace. No one at the gathering saw anything unusual happen that day. Kathy begins to notice strange details, including her husband’s clothing, and she starts to wonder who she can really trust.

Readers will find this book hard to set down once they start. The tension builds nicely and keeps them turning pages well into the night. The family secrets and small town setting add a lot of interest to the story. This one comes recommended for anyone who enjoys a good suspense novel.

9 Responses to “Wendy Dranfield”

1. Frances Cagle: 2 months ago

   I’ve read all your books and love them. Disappointed I could not get (The girl who died). Keep the great books coming.

   Reply
2. Bobbi Colson: 1 year ago

   I finished all of the Madison Harper books, and transitioned onto the Dean Matheson. Truly another outstanding series – but I am so very disappointed that there are only 3 books. Please continue with this series. There are so many possibilities!! Kindest regards. Bobbi

   Reply
3. Vicky: 2 years ago

   I’ve read ALL your books! I loved them all!

   Reply
4. Dave Iremonger: 2 years ago

   After my praise of Madison and Nate I have nearly finished Dean Matheson book 3, only to discover it’s the last ???? only 3, come on ???

   Reply
5. Dave Iremonger: 2 years ago

   The Madison Harper series is the best series I’ve ever read. Each book kept me captivated. Terrific characters, suspense and great story lines. Please write more of this series. Thanks.

   Reply
6. Vicki Clark: 2 years ago

   Hello,
   I am about to finish book 7 of the Madison Harper series. I must say I am going to miss Nat, Brody and Madison. I loved all seven books. I also love your writing style. Thank you for offering the first book free, when I started it I had a hard time putting it down as was the same for the other 6 books
   Thank you so much.

   Reply
7. Dover: 2 years ago

   I’m seeing the book called “The Girl Who Died” however, whenever I search for this book it’s not listed anywhere. I am obsessed with Wendy Dranfield and wondering if something missing. Thank you.

   Reply
   • Graeme: 2 years ago

     Yeah unfortunately I’m not seeing it available anywhere to purchase.

     Reply
8. Bertha McLaughlin: 3 years ago

   I have not enjoyed a series like Madison Harper in awhile, wanting to read instead of sleep!

   Reply