I grew up in Wiltshire, England and was educated at several schools which mysteriously closed shortly after I left them. I then went on to Cambridge University from which I graduated with a BA in Law. Cambridge still withstands my poisoned touch. After university I qualified and practised as a solicitor.In the past few years, I have concentrated on my writing, which is strongly influenced by my interests in history and art, publishing several novels. Becoming Lola is a biographical novel based on the extraordinary story of Lola Montez, a Victorian adventuress who was in her day the second most famous woman in the world after Queen Victoria. Salvation, a story of adventure and espionage set in Elizabethan days, was awarded 5* by the Historical Novel Society.My third novel, City of Dreams is a coming of age story set in nineteenth century Paris, at that time envied by the world as the most fashionable city on earth. It was so well received that I published a sequel, Following the Dream, this summer. I also have out a collection of short stories including several prize winners (one co-authored with bestselling novelist, Joanne Harris). All proceeds go to the charity WaterAid. My latest project is a murder mystery series set in Ceylon in the 1930s and featuring Inspector Shanti de Silva. I'm married to another lawyer and we have two grown-up daughters. I'm a keen traveller and an enthusiastic gardener.I love to hear from readers so do visit my blog - http://harrietsteel.blogspot.co.uk/ - where you'll find interviews with other authors, articles on a variety of topics and more information about my writing. If you would like advance notice of new releases, offers or promotions, there's a follow by email button. Facebook Harriet SteelTwitter @harrietsteel1