Anthea Fraser

Anthea Mary Fraser (born 1930) is a British novelist, known for her mystery thrillers. Her mother was a published novelist and Anthea began composing poems and stories before she could write. At the age of five she announced that she wanted to be an author. However, despite having been a prolific writer in school, she did not become a professional writer until after her two daughters were born.

Her first professional publications were short stories. Her first novel was published in 1970. Her first significant success was with her 1974 novel Laura Possessed, which had a paranormal theme, and was followed by 6 other similarly themed novels. She then wrote some romantic suspense stories before turning to writing crime fiction.

She has created two mystery novel series, the first featuring 'Detective Chief Inspector David Webb' with the Shillingham police. There are 16 novels in this series, the last twelve of which bear titles based on the lyrics to the traditional English folk song Green Grow the Rushes, O.

The second series features 'Rona Parish', a biographer and freelance journalist.

Anthea Fraser served as secretary of the Crime Writers' Association from 1986 to 1996. She has also published five novels under the pen name 'Vanessa Graham'.

Novels

Designs of Annabelle, 1971 In the Balance, 1973 (short story) Laura Possessed: A Novel of Suspense, 1974 Home Through the Dark, 1974 Whistler’s Lane: A Novel of Suspense, 1975 Breath of Brimstone, 1977 Presence of Mind, 1978 Island-in-Waiting, 1979 The Stone, 1980 The Macbeth Prophecy, 1995 Motive for Murder, 1996 Dangerous Deception, 1998 Past Shadows, 2001 Fathers and Daughters, 2002 Thicker than Water, 2009 Shifting Sands, 2011 the Unburied Past, 2013 A Tangled Thread, 2015 Sins of the Fathers, 2018

Novels featuring DCI David Webb A Shroud for Delilah, 1984 A Necessary End, 1985 Pretty Maids All in a Row, 1986 Death Speaks Softly, 1987 The Nine Bright Shiners, 1987 Six Proud Walkers, 1988 The April Rainers, 1989 Symbols at Your Door, 1990 The Lily-White Boys (Also published as I'll Sing You Two-O), 1991 Three, Three the Rivals, 1992 The Gospel Makers, 1994 The Seven Stars, 1995 One Is One and All Alone, 1996 The Ten Commandments, 1997 Eleven That Went Up to Heaven, 1999 The Twelve Apostles, 1999

Novels featuring Rona Parish Brought to Book, 2003 Jigsaw, 2004 Person or Persons Unknown, 2005 A Family Concern, 2006 Rogue in Porcelain, 2007 Next Door to Murder, 2008 Unfinished Portrait, 2010 A Question of Identity, 2012 Justice Postponed, 2014 Retribution, 2016

Novels written under the pen name 'Vanessa Graham' In the Balance, 1973 Time on Trial, 1979 Second Time Around, 1982 The Stand-In, 1984 Such Men Are Dangerous, 1988