Diana Norman

Mary Diana Norman ( Narracott; pen name, Ariana Franklin; 25 August 1933 – 27 January 2011) was a British author and journalist. She is best known for her historical crime fiction. She also published historical mystery novels under the pen name "Ariana Franklin", featuring the fictional medieval pathologist Adelia Aguilar.

Diana Norman was married to the film critic Barry Norman and they had two daughters, Samantha and Emma. She died on 27 January 2011, aged 77. Her life and marriage are the subject of memoirs published by Barry Norman in 2013 (See You in the Morning).

Novels

Writing as Diana Norman Fitzempress' Law (1980), set in the reign of Henry II of England Winter Siege (2014/UK), published as The Siege Winter in the US (2015), a standalone set in 1141 during the conflict between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda. The writing was finished after her death by her daughter, Samantha Norman Death and the Maiden (2020) is the final novel in the 'Mistress of the Art of Death' series. The unfinished manuscript was completed by Samantha Norman

Non-fiction The Stately Ghosts of England (1963, 1977) Road from Singapore (1970, 1979) Terrible Beauty: Life of Constance Markievicz, 1868–1927 (1987)