Suzanne Leal is the author of novels The Watchful Wife, The Teacher’s Secret and The Deceptions, winner of the Nib People’s Choice Prize. Her debut novel for junior readers, Running with Ivan, is a time travel adventure inspired by true events in wartime Europe. Running with Ivan is included on the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s 2024 Notables List for Younger Readers and was shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s History Awards and the ARA Historical Novel Prize.
A lawyer experienced in child protection, criminal law and refugee law, Suzanne is an experienced speaker, facilitator and host at schools, universities, libraries, festivals and other community, corporate and literary events. She is the founder of Thursday Book Club, a relaxed book club connecting readers online.
Her new novel for middle-grade readers, The Year We Escaped – an adventure story set in wartime France – will be published by HarperCollins in June 2025.
