📖 Overview
Diana Rowland is an American author known for urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels. She has written multiple successful series including the White Trash Zombie books, the Demon series, and the Kara Gillian series.
Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Rowland worked in law enforcement as a police officer and later as a forensic specialist. This background has influenced her writing, particularly in her attention to procedural details and crime scene elements throughout her works.
Her most commercially successful series, White Trash Zombie, follows protagonist Angel Crawford, a morgue worker who becomes a zombie and must navigate her new existence while solving crimes. The series combines elements of urban fantasy with police procedural and horror comedy.
Rowland began publishing professionally in 2009 with Mark of the Demon, the first book in her Kara Gillian series. She continues to write and has maintained an active publishing schedule, with her works being released through DAW Books.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Rowland's authentic portrayal of law enforcement procedures and forensics, drawing from her police background. The White Trash Zombie series receives particular attention for balancing humor with darker themes. Many readers note the strong character development of protagonist Angel Crawford.
Liked:
- Accurate crime scene details and police work
- Complex female protagonists who grow throughout series
- Blend of horror and comedy in White Trash Zombie books
- Fresh take on supernatural creatures
Disliked:
- Some readers find the early Kara Gillian books slow-paced
- Romance subplots described as predictable by some
- Later series entries criticized for plot complexity
Ratings:
Goodreads averages:
- White Trash Zombie series: 4.0/5 (30,000+ ratings)
- Kara Gillian series: 3.8/5 (25,000+ ratings)
- Demon series: 3.9/5 (15,000+ ratings)
Amazon reviews average 4.2-4.5 stars across series, with readers frequently mentioning the unique protagonists and well-researched procedural elements.
📚 Books by Diana Rowland
White Trash Zombie Series
A young Louisiana woman becomes a morgue worker after being turned into a zombie and must navigate both her new dietary needs and a series of murders.
Kara Gillian Series A detective who can summon demons investigates supernatural crimes in Louisiana while becoming increasingly entangled with dangerous demon lords.
My Life as a White Trash Zombie Angel Crawford wakes up in the hospital after an overdose to find herself with a new job at the coroner's office and an inexplicable craving for brains.
Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues Angel investigates the disappearance of a body from the morgue while dealing with suspicious government agents and her new zombie nature.
White Trash Zombie Apocalypse Angel faces zombie imposters appearing in a movie being filmed in her town while trying to protect her secret and investigate a conspiracy.
How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back Angel travels to New York to rescue her kidnapped boss and encounters other zombies who may not have her best interests at heart.
White Trash Zombie Gone Wild Angel struggles with addiction and her zombie nature while investigating a new street drug that appears to be targeting zombies.
White Trash Zombie Unchained Angel confronts a parasite that threatens both zombies and humans while dealing with relationship complications and corporate conspiracies.
Mark of the Demon Detective Kara Gillian's demon summoning abilities lead her to investigate ritual murders in her Louisiana parish.
Blood of the Demon Kara pursues a serial killer while navigating complicated relationships with both human and demon realm inhabitants.
Secrets of the Demon Kara investigates a string of musician deaths while becoming more deeply involved in demon politics.
Sins of the Demon Kara faces personal threats as people close to her begin dying in apparently natural ways that may be linked to demon realm machinations.
Touch of the Demon Kara is pulled into the demon realm where she must navigate complex political intrigue to survive and return home.
Fury of the Demon Kara deals with the aftermath of her time in the demon realm while investigating arcane symbols appearing at crime scenes.
Vengeance of the Demon Kara confronts both human and supernatural threats while trying to prevent an interdimensional war.
Legacy of the Demon Kara faces personal and professional challenges as she works to stop a demonic plot that threatens both realms.
Rise of the Demon Kara makes difficult choices as she attempts to prevent catastrophic consequences in both the human and demon realms.
Kara Gillian Series A detective who can summon demons investigates supernatural crimes in Louisiana while becoming increasingly entangled with dangerous demon lords.
My Life as a White Trash Zombie Angel Crawford wakes up in the hospital after an overdose to find herself with a new job at the coroner's office and an inexplicable craving for brains.
Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues Angel investigates the disappearance of a body from the morgue while dealing with suspicious government agents and her new zombie nature.
White Trash Zombie Apocalypse Angel faces zombie imposters appearing in a movie being filmed in her town while trying to protect her secret and investigate a conspiracy.
How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back Angel travels to New York to rescue her kidnapped boss and encounters other zombies who may not have her best interests at heart.
White Trash Zombie Gone Wild Angel struggles with addiction and her zombie nature while investigating a new street drug that appears to be targeting zombies.
White Trash Zombie Unchained Angel confronts a parasite that threatens both zombies and humans while dealing with relationship complications and corporate conspiracies.
Mark of the Demon Detective Kara Gillian's demon summoning abilities lead her to investigate ritual murders in her Louisiana parish.
Blood of the Demon Kara pursues a serial killer while navigating complicated relationships with both human and demon realm inhabitants.
Secrets of the Demon Kara investigates a string of musician deaths while becoming more deeply involved in demon politics.
Sins of the Demon Kara faces personal threats as people close to her begin dying in apparently natural ways that may be linked to demon realm machinations.
Touch of the Demon Kara is pulled into the demon realm where she must navigate complex political intrigue to survive and return home.
Fury of the Demon Kara deals with the aftermath of her time in the demon realm while investigating arcane symbols appearing at crime scenes.
Vengeance of the Demon Kara confronts both human and supernatural threats while trying to prevent an interdimensional war.
Legacy of the Demon Kara faces personal and professional challenges as she works to stop a demonic plot that threatens both realms.
Rise of the Demon Kara makes difficult choices as she attempts to prevent catastrophic consequences in both the human and demon realms.
👥 Similar authors
Kim Harrison writes urban fantasy series featuring demons, witches, and vampires in an alternate Cincinnati, with a female protagonist who balances supernatural cases with personal relationships. Her Rachel Morgan series contains similar elements to Rowland's work, including police procedural aspects and complex demon-human interactions.
Seanan McGuire creates urban fantasy stories about half-fae detectives and supernatural creatures living in human cities. Her October Daye series combines crime-solving elements with fae politics and mythology.
Kevin Hearne writes about supernatural beings and law enforcement in a contemporary setting, focusing on Celtic mythology and modern-day Arizona. His Iron Druid Chronicles features a protagonist who deals with various pantheons and supernatural creatures while maintaining a cover in the human world.
Patricia Briggs develops stories about werewolves and supernatural creatures operating within human society, with emphasis on pack dynamics and police work. Her Mercy Thompson series centers on a mechanic who works with law enforcement to solve supernatural crimes.
Ilona Andrews produces urban fantasy with strong worldbuilding and supernatural politics, featuring protagonists who navigate both human and magical law enforcement. The Kate Daniels series includes similar themes to Rowland's work, with magic users working alongside regular humans in a complex society.
Seanan McGuire creates urban fantasy stories about half-fae detectives and supernatural creatures living in human cities. Her October Daye series combines crime-solving elements with fae politics and mythology.
Kevin Hearne writes about supernatural beings and law enforcement in a contemporary setting, focusing on Celtic mythology and modern-day Arizona. His Iron Druid Chronicles features a protagonist who deals with various pantheons and supernatural creatures while maintaining a cover in the human world.
Patricia Briggs develops stories about werewolves and supernatural creatures operating within human society, with emphasis on pack dynamics and police work. Her Mercy Thompson series centers on a mechanic who works with law enforcement to solve supernatural crimes.
Ilona Andrews produces urban fantasy with strong worldbuilding and supernatural politics, featuring protagonists who navigate both human and magical law enforcement. The Kate Daniels series includes similar themes to Rowland's work, with magic users working alongside regular humans in a complex society.