Dana Cameron

Dana Cameron is an American archaeologist and author known for blending her archaeological expertise with crime fiction and urban fantasy writing. She has earned multiple prestigious awards including the Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards for her work in mystery fiction. Her most prominent work is the Emma Fielding mystery series, launched in 2002, which follows the adventures of an archaeologist-turned-amateur sleuth. The series, set primarily in New England, draws heavily from Cameron's professional background in historical archaeology and explores the intersection of past and present through criminal investigations. Cameron's literary portfolio extends beyond novels to include numerous short stories that span multiple genres including traditional mystery, noir, thriller, and urban fantasy. Her work is characterized by meticulous historical research and detailed world-building, often featuring recurring characters across multiple stories. The author's background as a historical archaeologist, specializing in British and New England cultural history from 1607 to 1760, provides the foundation for her writing. Based in Beverly, Massachusetts, Cameron continues to produce fiction that combines her academic expertise with compelling storytelling.

Readers appreciate Cameron's authentic portrayal of archaeology and academic settings in her Emma Fielding mysteries. Multiple reviews note how the technical details feel natural rather than forced. One Amazon reviewer said: "As an archaeologist myself, I can confirm she gets the field work and academic politics exactly right." Readers liked: - Accurate representation of archaeological practices - Complex mystery plots with historical connections - Strong female protagonist who uses intellect over force - Educational aspects woven into stories - Balance of professional and personal storylines Readers disliked: - Pacing described as slow in early chapters - Some found technical details overwhelming - Several mentioned wanting more character development for supporting cast Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.4/5 average (Emma Fielding series) Goodreads: 3.8/5 overall author rating - Site One Glass Eye: 4.2/5 - Grave Consequences: 3.9/5 - Past Malice: 3.7/5 Barnes & Noble reader reviews average 4/5 stars across all titles.

Ashes and Bones - Archaeologist Emma Fielding investigates a series of suspicious accidents connected to a Colonial-era murder while dealing with academic politics at her college.

Aaron Elkins - An anthropologist who writes mysteries featuring forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver, combining scientific expertise with murder investigations. His academic background similarly informs his fiction writing, with detailed attention to forensic and archaeological details.

Elly Griffiths - Creates the Ruth Galloway series about a forensic archaeologist who solves crimes in Norfolk, England. Her books feature strong connections between archaeological discoveries and present-day mysteries, with academic settings similar to Cameron's work.

Elizabeth Peters - Wrote the Amelia Peabody series about an archaeologist investigating murders in late 19th century Egypt. Her background in Egyptology provides authentic archaeological details while maintaining complex mystery plots.

Kathy Reichs - Writes the Temperance Brennan series drawing from her experience as a forensic anthropologist. Her work bridges the gap between scientific methodology and criminal investigation, featuring detailed technical content within mystery narratives.

Beverly Connor - Authors the Diane Fallon series about a forensic anthropologist who runs a crime lab and museum. Her work emphasizes archaeological and forensic details while exploring both historical and contemporary crimes.