About Jenna Kinghorn

Jenna was born in Madison, Wisconsin. She grew up in New England and the upper Midwest, her small family moving often. A lifelong learner since childhood, she loves reading, writing, studying natural history, and spending time with animals—both pets and wildlife. She took up photography in her teens, then fell in love with travel during her college years, and is still enthusiastic about both hobbies decades later.

Jenna on a gray whale watching trip in Baja, Mexico in 2019.

As a kid, Jenna’s career ambitions changed monthly, and literally ran the gamut from A (archaeologist, astronaut, astronomer…) to Z (zookeeper). She always loved writing assignments in school, and won national essay contests in middle and high school. After finishing high school, she combined her passions for writing and natural history with a B.A. in the self-designed major of Science Writing.

Now living near Puget Sound, Jenna continues learning about and marveling at nature on daily walks.

Arriving in California after college, Jenna worked as a park aide in the Mendocino area. She eventually moved to Silicon Valley and became a technical writer for computer networking companies. She kept her sanity by scuba diving, sailing, hiking, traveling, and volunteering as a naturalist at Ano Nuevo State Reserve and Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.

A curly brown-haired Irish Water Spaniel lies on a blue carpet surrounded by dog toys. — Jenna's Irish Water Spaniel, Mia, cradling her favorite toy, a tiny squeaking stuffed unicorn.

Stock options and a supportive husband made it possible for Jenna to quit being a corporate cog after a couple of decades. Now writing crime fiction and thrillers, she is a member of Sisters in Crime, has a bookcase full of volumes on how to write, and frequently takes writing classes and workshops. She lives in Washington state with her husband, a charming Irish Water Spaniel, and two cats whose curiosity seems to frequently imperil their survival.

A black-and-white and gray-and-white kitten cuddle together. — The adorable kittens, Sundance (black-and-white) and Butch (gray-and-white), are full of curiosity and mischief.

When not chained to her computer trying to lure her muse onto the page, Jenna likes to be outside, exploring and marveling at the wonders of nature. Her passion for scuba diving, natural history, and nature photography has taken her all over the world.