Norah Ethel Lofts (née Robinson; 27 August 1904 – 10 September 1983) was a 20th-century British writer. She also wrote under the pen names Peter Curtis and Juliet Astley. She wrote more than fifty books specializing in historical fiction, and also authored some mysteries, short stories, and non-fiction. Many of her novels, including her Suffolk Trilogy, follow the history of specific houses and their residents over several generations.

Lofts was born in Shipdham, Norfolk, England. She chose to release her murder-mystery novels under the pen name Peter Curtis because she did not want the readers of her historical fiction to pick up a murder-mystery novel and expect classic Norah Lofts historical fiction. However, the murders still show character depth and intricate plotting.