Sulari Gentill

Sulari Gentill is an award-winning Sri Lankan-born Australian author known for her historical crime fiction and literary novels. After transitioning from careers in astrophysics and corporate law, she established herself as a writer of mystery and fantasy fiction. The Rowland Sinclair Mysteries, her acclaimed historical crime series set in the 1930s, follows a gentleman artist-turned-detective. Her novel "Crossing the Lines" (published in North America as "After She Wrote Him") won the 2018 Ned Kelly Award for Best Fiction, while "A Decline in Prophets" secured the Davitt Award for Best Adult Crime Fiction. Gentill writes fantasy novels under the pen name S.D. Gentill and maintains a truffle farm in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. Her work has received multiple nominations for prestigious awards, including the Commonwealth Writers Prize for "A Few Right Thinking Men." The author's unique background, which includes being raised in Zambia and Brisbane, informs her writing's international perspective and cultural depth.

Readers consistently highlight Gentill's attention to historical detail and her ability to weave real events into fiction. The Rowland Sinclair series receives praise for its depiction of 1930s Australia and engaging characters. One reader on Goodreads notes: "The historical references are impeccable and the characters feel authentic to the period." What Readers Liked: - Complex character relationships - Historical accuracy - Blend of humor and serious themes - Atmospheric settings - Smooth integration of real historical figures What Readers Disliked: - Pacing in early books sometimes slow - Some find political elements too prominent - Historical references can overwhelm the plot Ratings: - Goodreads: Rowland Sinclair series averages 4.0/5 (2,000+ ratings) - Amazon: "After She Wrote Him" 4.2/5 (500+ ratings) - LibraryThing: Overall author rating 4.1/5 Multiple readers compare her work to Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series, though they note Gentill's darker tone. A common Amazon review comment: "Perfect for readers who want their historical mysteries with substance."

Crossing the Lines (also published as "After She Wrote Him") A metafictional thriller about two writers who begin writing each other as characters, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.

A Few Right Thinking Men Set in 1930s Sydney, follows wealthy artist Rowland Sinclair as he investigates political intrigue amid the rise of fascism.

A Decline in Prophets Rowland Sinclair encounters murder and mystery aboard an ocean liner traveling from Singapore to Sydney.

Miles Off Course Rowland Sinclair investigates disappearances in the Snowy Mountains while navigating family tensions.

Paving the New Road Rowland Sinclair travels to Nazi Germany on a covert mission to prevent an assassination.

Gentlemen Formerly Dressed After fleeing Germany, Rowland Sinclair faces new dangers in England's aristocratic society.

A Murder Unmentioned Rowland Sinclair must confront his family's past when his father's murder case is reopened.

Give the Devil His Due A death at a polo match leads Rowland Sinclair into Sydney's world of art and privilege.

A Dangerous Language Rowland Sinclair investigates the murder of a Communist Party member in 1930s Melbourne.

All the Tears in China Rowland Sinclair travels to Shanghai where he becomes entangled in murder and international intrigue.

A Testament of Character Rowland Sinclair journeys to Boston to execute a will and encounters suspicious deaths.

Where There's a Will A murder mystery set in 1930s New York involving inheritance disputes and family secrets.

Kerry Greenwood writes the Phryne Fisher mysteries set in 1920s Australia featuring a wealthy female detective. Her series shares the historical Australian setting and similar era to Gentill's work, with comparable themes of privilege and social justice.

Jacqueline Winspear created the Maisie Dobbs series about a detective working in post-WWI England through the 1930s. Her books deal with similar themes of class dynamics and social change during the interwar period that appear in the Rowland Sinclair series.

Elizabeth Peters authored the Amelia Peabody series combining mystery with historical settings and academic elements. Her work features the same blend of historical detail and crime-solving found in Gentill's novels, with protagonists who move in educated society circles.

Anthony Horowitz writes meta-literary mysteries that play with the relationship between fiction and reality. His novels share the literary experimentation and blurred lines between author and character found in Gentill's "Crossing the Lines."

Charles Todd produces the Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries set in post-WWI Britain examining class and social upheaval. The series explores similar themes of how war and social change affected society in the early 20th century that appear in Gentill's work.