Jeri Westerson, born in 1960, is an American author known for her diverse range of mystery novels. Her work spans medieval and Tudor historical mysteries, Sherlockian mysteries, and paranormal fiction. She also writes LGBTQ mysteries under the pseudonym Haley Walsh. Westerson's journey to becoming a writer involved a prior career as a commercial artist and a period as a newspaper reporter. She has lived in various parts of Southern California throughout her life.

Westerson's debut medieval mystery, 'Veil of Lies,' featuring the disgraced knight Crispin Guest, was published in 2008 and received award nominations. She continued to develop this series with St. Martin's Minotaur before moving to UK publisher Severn House. Beyond her medieval series, Westerson has explored paranormal romance with the 'Booke of the Hidden' series and a gaslamp fantasy trilogy, 'Enchanter Chronicles.' Under the name Haley Walsh, she penned the 'Skyler Foxe Mysteries,' a series of LGBTQ romantic comedy mysteries. She has also contributed numerous short stories to various anthologies and publications.

Jeri Westerson's writing career is marked by its breadth, encompassing historical mysteries set in medieval and Tudor periods, as well as Sherlockian and paranormal fiction. She also contributes to the LGBTQ mystery genre under the pen name Haley Walsh. Westerson's initial career path was in acting before she shifted to graphic design and worked as a commercial artist for fifteen years. After semi-retiring to start a family, she transitioned to writing, honing her skills as a newspaper stringer for eight years. This varied background informs her diverse literary output, which includes multiple award-nominated works.

The Crispin Guest series forms a significant part of Westerson's bibliography, beginning with 'Veil of Lies' in 2008. This series follows the adventures of Crispin Guest, a knight who becomes a detective, and his assistant Jack Tucker. The books are noted for their historical detail and have been published by St. Martin's Minotaur and later by Severn House. The series spans over fifteen titles, concluding with 'The Deadliest Sin' in 2021. Several installments in this series have garnered nominations for prestigious awards, including the Macavity Award, Shamus Award, and Bruce Alexander Historical Mystery Award, highlighting their critical reception within the genre.

Beyond her well-established medieval mysteries, Westerson has delved into paranormal romance with the 'Booke of the Hidden' series and the 'Enchanter Chronicles' gaslamp fantasy trilogy. Under the pseudonym Haley Walsh, she created the 'Skyler Foxe Mysteries,' a series of LGBTQ romantic comedy mysteries. Westerson has also been an active contributor to various short story anthologies, including collections focused on disaster relief and crime fiction, showcasing her versatility and willingness to explore different narrative styles and themes.

Westerson has been actively involved in the writing community, serving multiple terms as president of the Southern California chapter of Mystery Writers of America. She has also held leadership positions in the Sisters in Crime organization, including Vice President of the Los Angeles chapter and past president of the Orange County chapter. Furthermore, she is a founding member of the Los Angeles chapter of the Historical Novel Society, demonstrating a commitment to supporting and engaging with fellow writers and the literary world.