'It's a dramatic plot, like a cross between Oliver Twist and Black Hearts in Battersea, and Renner is a real discovery.' -- The Times

Ellen Renner grew up in the Ozark hills of southern Missouri and ran away to England as soon as possible. She trained as a painter before turning her artistic hand to creative writing. CASTLE OF SHADOWS was Ellen's stunning debut novel. It won the 2007 Cornerstone's/Writers News WOW Factor Competition, which led her to be snapped up by her agent, Rosemary Canter. The brilliant CITY OF THIEVES followed. Ellen lives in Devon with her husband and young son -- in a castle!