Deborah Harkness is an American author and historian, best known for her popular series, All Souls Trilogy. The trilogy includes the novels A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, and The Book of Life, which blend elements of fantasy, romance, and history. Harkness's background as a historian adds depth to her storytelling, particularly in her exploration of historical themes and characters. In addition to her fiction writing, Harkness is a professor of history at University of Southern California. She specializes in the history of science and magic in the Renaissance, which informs her work. Harkness has also published non-fiction, including The Jewel House, a study of the role of alchemy in early modern England.