Simone St. James is a Canadian author well-regarded for her contributions to the genres of mystery, thriller, historical fiction, and romance novels. Before embarking on her writing career, Simone spent two decades working in the television industry. Her decision to transition to a full-time writing career came from a desire to create the kind of stories she yearned to read - specifically, ghost stories that were eerie but not gory, intertwined with elements of romance.

The overarching themes in Simone's works often revolve around ghosts, crime, and investigations. She has admitted to never having witnessed a ghost personally, yet her narrative revolves around the tantalizing possibility of their existence. The backdrop for her initial novels was set in the 1920s, but she has since expanded her storytelling to other time periods, including the 1950s.

Her literary prowess has been recognized with prestigious accolades, including two RITA awards from the Romance Writers of America and an Arthur Ellis Award from the Crime Writers of Canada. Notably, her titles such as The Book of Cold Cases, The Sun Down Motel, The Broken Girls, and The Haunting of Maddy Clare have not only captivated readers but have also cemented her status as a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author.