Vanessa is an English writer and the author of The Naxos Mysteries. She has also published a book on the cuisine of the Cycladic islands, A Greek Feast on Naxos. She publishes independently through Dolman Scott Ltd, and the books are available worldwide.

 

The Naxos Mysteries were inspired by Vanessa's love of Greece, particularly its ancient history, archaeology and cuisine. She has travelled extensively round the archaeological sites of Greece, meeting those concerned with the discovery and protection of the country’s cultural heritage. 

 

On the first of her many visits to Naxos she came across the stone hut in the hills which inspired the book The Meaning of Friday. With the creation of her protagonist, Martin Day, and the other characters in the mysteries, the next books followed quickly.

​

She has some highly valued friends on Naxos and Paros who have shared many stories with her of life on the islands, past and present. One story in particular inspired the 2024 book, The House in Apíranthos.

 

Vanessa writes: ‘I love the mystery genre, which enables me to explore the magic of Greek antiquity, the wonderful landscape and the cuisine of Greece, and the rich complexities of human nature. In The Naxos Mysteries I try to appeal to both the mind and the heart of my reader, engaging them in the passions and tragedies of the characters in a context of discovery and exploration.’

 

Please visit the Facebook group 'The Naxos Mysteries' and share your love of Naxos with us.

​

​

​

Vanessa is a member of Windsor Writers and a Joint Coordinator of the Windsor Young Writers Competition. She has a degree in English Literature from the University of Exeter and a PhD in Anglo-Irish Literature from the University of London