Kristen Ness

Kristen Ness is an American author known for her debut novel At Loggerheads (2023), which blends elements of marine biology, murder mystery, and political intrigue.

Kristen Ness was born and raised in South Carolina. Having spent countless days on the Isle of Palms, she developed a deep connection with nature, particularly the ocean. For the past decade, Ness has volunteered with the Island Turtle Team, walking the beach at sunrise each summer to search for sea turtle nests.

Ness pursued her academic interests in English and law, earning a BA in English from Duke University and a JD from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She practiced immigration law for twenty years while nurturing her lifelong passion for writing and marine biology. She has also been influenced by her family background in writing, real estate, politics, and publishing -— her great-grandfather was the 14th Governor of North Dakota, and his family owned The Bismarck Tribune.

Ness is an appointed member of the Coral Advisory Panel for the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, their two children, and a cat.

At Loggerheads (2023) is Ness's first novel. Set on a South Carolina barrier island, the story intertwines sea turtle conservation with a gripping murder mystery. The protagonist, Brooke Edens, a sea turtle biologist, returns to Anders Isle, where she grew up, to find loggerhead sea turtles that should be nesting. However, the discovery of a dead body and other crimes plunges her into a homicide investigation alongside local detective Drew Young, her close friend and occasional love interest.

As the investigation unfolds, Brooke's knowledge of sea turtles proves crucial in uncovering and deciphering evidence. The plot thickens with political intrigue, as the emerging favorite candidate for the upcoming US presidential election is the father of Brooke's ex-fiancé. The narrative explores themes of betrayal, secrets, and the impact of human actions on nature, all set against the backdrop of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

At Loggerheads has been compared to Delia Owens's Where the Crawdads Sing and John Grisham's The Pelican Brief. Ness's novel is a love letter to the barrier islands and coastal towns of South Carolina.

Photo credit: kristenness.com

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