Leigh Straw is an academic, historian and writer. She is the author of true crime biographies of Australian crime figures Kate Leigh and Dulcie Markham, and Australia's first female detective, Lillian Armfield. Leigh was the joint winner of the 2018 Margaret Medcalf Award for her book After the War- The Mental and Physical Scars of World War I. Leigh is Deputy Head of the National School of Arts and Sciences and Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Notre Dame Australia.
"""Leigh Straw uses extensive research and her unique skills as a writer to bring to life the characters involved."" -- Writing WA ""This an absorbing novel filled with romance, suspense and intrigue. The Ballroom Murder is a book to spend your evening with. I highly recommend it."" -- Beauty and Lace ""A story of high drama, crisis and tragic outcome."" -- History West"