Cate Dermody

Catherine E. Murphy, primarily writing under the byline C. E. Murphy, was born in Alaska on June 1, 1973. She is an American-born author now residing in Ireland, where she moved in 2005 and became a citizen in 2001. Murphy is recognized for her contributions to the fantasy and romance genres, authoring several notable series including The Walker Papers, The Negotiator Trilogy, and The Inheritor's Cycle. She has also penned works under pseudonyms, including the romance trilogy written as Cate Dermody and The Strongbox Chronicles. In addition to her novels, Murphy has written graphic novels, such as Take a Chance, and has engaged in various professions including library volunteer, archival assistant, and web designer, with writing remaining her principal pursuit. As of 2020, she lived in Ireland with her husband and son.

Catherine E. Murphy has established a prolific writing career, primarily in the fantasy genre, but has also explored romance and mystery. She utilizes multiple pen names to distinguish her work across different genres. Under her main pseudonym, C. E. Murphy, she is known for extensive series like The Walker Papers, The Negotiator Trilogy, and The Inheritor's Cycle. For her romance novels, she adopted the pseudonym Cate Dermody, which was her grandmother's maiden name, notably authoring The Strongbox Chronicles under this name. The mystery series, The Dublin Driver Mysteries, is published under the byline Catie Murphy.

Murphy's bibliography showcases a diverse range of thematic elements and genre explorations. While widely recognized for speculative fiction, including urban fantasy and works with mythological undertones like the 'Old Races' universe, she has also ventured into more traditional romance with her Cate Dermody works. Her writing includes series aimed at young adults, such as The Guildmaster Saga, and even a fantasy retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, titled Magic & Manners. This breadth demonstrates an ability to adapt narrative styles and thematic concerns to suit various reader interests and subgenres within fantasy and beyond.

Born Catherine E. Murphy in Alaska, the author has a significant connection to Ireland, where she has resided since 2005. She gained Irish citizenship in 2001 through her grandparents and continues to live there with her family. Prior to dedicating herself primarily to writing, Murphy held a variety of jobs, including roles in libraries and archives, and as a cannery worker and web designer. These diverse life experiences may have informed the rich tapestry of her fictional worlds and characters, even as writing remains her most cherished pastime.