65 ratings | 6 reviews | avg rating:3.91

more photos (2)

Barbara Gaskell Denvil’s Followers (63)

Barbara’s Bookshelves

to-read (34)
currently-reading (0)
read (66)

Barbara’s Friends (57)

Erin (Historical Fiction Reader)

5,040 books | 2,564 friends

Sally Archer

2,320 books | 80 friends

A.M. Potter

889 books | 1,063 friends

Elizabeth John

485 books | 532 friends

Marie Macpherson

143 books | 543 friends

Heidi

206 books | 462 friends

J. Lynn

886 books | 1,457 friends

Michelle Cox

459 books | 1,576 friends

More friends…

Barbara Gaskell Denvil

Goodreads Author

Born

in Cheltenham, The United Kingdom

Website

http://barbaragaskelldenvil.com

Twitter

BGDenvil

Genre

Historical Fiction, Children's, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Member Since

September 2011

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/barbaragaskelldenvil

edit data

I was born approximately two hundred years ago (It sometimes feels that way) in Gloucestershire, England, right in the heart of the Cotswolds. After a few years, I moved to London and fell in love with the history which oozes through the old stones, and the medieval atmosphere leaks from the beautiful old buildings. For many years, I walked the old cobbled lanes and researched the 15th century from original sources, and the books in the British Museum. I worked there in the Department of Ancient Documents, a place which I adored, full of scrolls illuminated by medieval monks, and hordes of informative parchments.

My father was an academic and playwright, my mother was a retired teacher, and my sister was an author of fantasy. I had no other I was born approximately two hundred years ago (It sometimes feels that way) in Gloucestershire, England, right in the heart of the Cotswolds. After a few years, I moved to London and fell in love with the history which oozes through the old stones, and the medieval atmosphere leaks from the beautiful old buildings. For many years, I walked the old cobbled lanes and researched the 15th century from original sources, and the books in the British Museum. I worked there in the Department of Ancient Documents, a place which I adored, full of scrolls illuminated by medieval monks, and hordes of informative parchments.

My father was an academic and playwright, my mother was a retired teacher, and my sister was an author of fantasy. I had no other passion except the arts, and books

Already a passionate reader half-crazed by the avid consumption of literature, I had grown out of Enid Blyton when I was about six. Next came a passion for Georgette Heyer, although far too young to understand romance. Once again it was the historical details I loved and I moved quickly onto Shakespeare, Dorothy Dunnett, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and a host of others.

I started writing. Nonsense naturally! But I kept it up and eventually write articles and short stories for current magazines and newspapers. I was also a tutor for scriptwriting, and a reviewer for Books and Bookmen. That kept me busy until I married. A husband and three little girls (including identical twins) were a full-time job, and for most of the time I also worked at secretarial jobs, keeping the threat of starvation at bay and paying for the baked beans.

After leaving my husband, I started writing again but this time I was distracted by something different, as I had a wonderful 18-year romance with a man who lived on his yacht in the Mediterranean, sailing during spring, summer, and autumn, and exploring Europe by car in winter.

My partner died, and I was bereft, deciding to come to Australia for a change instead of sitting around in stagnant tears. Writing again, and seriously this time, I wrote full length books in all my favourite genres. I was accepted by one of the big top 5 publishers, and two of my historical crime/mysteries were published in the traditional manner. However, although I was reasonably well paid and sold reasonably well, I also found myself disliking the control system. I had to write as commanded, insert bucket loads more romance, accept covers I hated, and generally do as I was told.

Now, happy and free, I self-publish, and enjoy every minute of my writing. I live in Australia, adore the weather, the birds and the wildlife, and live a placid life during the day and a wonderfully exciting one in my dreams at night.

I have written fantasy and historical fiction. Very different genres, but all are crime mysteries in one way or another. I have almost finished my children’s series (Bannister’s Muster series, for middle-grade children), no crime here, but a vibrant mixture of history and fantasy. After this is complete I am moving onto a series of modern crime mysteries, and I’m looking forward to that.

Writing is and always has been my passion, now that I am able to do this full time, I am in my element and life couldn’t be better (a little more sunshine might help though).
...more

Learn more
Ask the Author

Barbara Gaskell Denvil is currently not accepting new questions.

Combine Editions
Barbara Gaskell Denvil’s books

Average rating: 4.15 · 3,261 ratings · 301 reviews · 43 distinct works • Similar authors

	Blessop's Wife (Historical Mysteries Collection #1) 4.09 avg rating — 804 ratings — published 2014 — 10 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Vespers (Historical Mysteries Collection #2) 4.29 avg rating — 315 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Flame Eater (Historical Mysteries Collection #3) 4.09 avg rating — 327 ratings — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Sumerford's Autumn (Historical Mysteries Collection #4) 4.21 avg rating — 302 ratings — published 2011 — 10 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Satin Cinnabar (Historical Mysteries Collection #5) 4.24 avg rating — 271 ratings — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Summer of Discontent (Historical Mysteries Collection Book 6) 4.23 avg rating — 217 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Deception of Consequences 4.26 avg rating — 214 ratings — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fair Weather (Barometer Sequence, #1) 4.06 avg rating — 125 ratings — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Western Gate (Historical Mysteries Collection Book 8) 4.30 avg rating — 118 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A White Horizon (Stars and a Wind #1) 3.86 avg rating — 59 ratings — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Barbara Gaskell Denvil…

142 posts
Barbara Gaskell Denvil's Blog

Ideas to Replace Sliding Pocket Doors

Sliding pocket doors – Sliding doors are a popular option in houses with platforms or patios in the back , because they allow the entrance of a lot of natural light and allow to have views while connecting the outer space with the interior. But once they start to get old, the sliding doors stop operating smoothly or efficiently. The rollers and rails wear away with each use, the handles become mis Read more of this blog post »

View more on Barbara Gaskell Denvil's website »

1 like · Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on May 11, 2018 04:26

View all 142 posts »

Series by Barbara Gaskell Denvil

Historical Mysteries Collection (8 books)
by

Barbara Gaskell Denvil (Goodreads Author)

4.18 avg rating — 2,567 ratings

The Barometer Sequence (2 books)
by

Barbara Gaskell Denvil (Goodreads Author)

4.03 avg rating — 149 ratings

Stars and a Wind (3 books)
by

Barbara Gaskell Denvil (Goodreads Author)

4.11 avg rating — 124 ratings

Bannister's Muster (6 books)
by

Barbara Gaskell Denvil (Goodreads Author)

4.15 avg rating — 82 ratings

Cornucopia (2 books)
by

Barbara Gaskell Denvil (Goodreads Author)

4.15 avg rating — 27 ratings

More series by Barbara Gaskell Denvil…

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Cozy Mysteries : Title and Author game, Round 3	13653	560	Apr 03, 2017 09:53AM
Cozy Mysteries : Mystery ABC's, Round 5	6766	354	May 14, 2020 09:27PM
Cozy Mysteries : Mystery ABCs game, Round 7	5180	412	Feb 24, 2022 08:47AM